Mixing bowl: Used for combining the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract.
Electric mixer or whisk: Used to whip the cream until it thickens and forms soft peaks.
Serving glasses or bowls: Used for assembling and presenting the Australian Eton Mess.
Ingredients
8ounces meringueapproximately 8 nests
2cupsstrawberrieshulled and sliced
1cupraspberries
1cup blueberries
2cupsheavy cream
2tablespoonssugaralso known as confectioner's or powdered sugar
1teaspoonvanilla extract
Instructions
Preparing the Ingredients:
a. Begin by hulling and slicing the strawberries.
b. Rinse the raspberries and blueberries under cold water and pat them dry.
c. Crush the meringue nests into small pieces using your hands or a rolling pin.
d. In a separate bowl, combine the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract.
Whipping the Cream:
a. Pour the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract mixture into a large mixing bowl.
b. Using an electric mixer or a whisk, beat the cream until it thickens and forms soft peaks. This process should take a few minutes. Be careful not to overmix, as it can turn into butter.
Assembling the Australian Eton Mess:
a. Take individual serving glasses or bowls and begin layering the ingredients.
b. Start by adding a spoonful of the whipped cream at the bottom of each glass.
c. Next, sprinkle a layer of crushed meringue on top of the cream.
d. Follow with a layer of strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries.
e. Repeat the layers until the glasses are filled, finishing with a dollop of whipped cream on the top.
Presentation and Serving:
a. You can garnish each serving with a fresh strawberry or a few extra berries on top.
b. Serve the Australian Eton Mess immediately to maintain the crispness of the meringue.
Notes
Use chilled heavy cream to ensure it whips up easily and quickly.Make sure the mixing bowl and beaters are clean and dry before whipping the cream.Crush the meringue nests into pieces of varying sizes for a more interesting texture.To enhance the flavor, consider adding a splash of lemon juice or a sprinkle of lemon zest to the whipped cream.For an extra touch, drizzle a bit of chocolate sauce or caramel sauce over the layers of the dessert.If you prefer a less sweet dessert, reduce the amount of powdered sugar or use a sugar substitute.Feel free to experiment with different fruits, such as peaches, mangoes, or blackberries, to create your unique variation.