Looking for a delightful dessert that captures the taste of spring? This light and airy Eton Mess combines the tangy sweetness of lemon curd with the creaminess of whipped cream and the crunch of meringue. We’ve added a handful of blueberries and raspberries to add some seasonal freshness. The result is a perfectly balanced dessert that's both refreshing and indulgent. Whether you're hosting a dinner party or looking for a sweet treat to enjoy on a sunny afternoon, this Lemon Curd Eton Mess is sure to impress. And best of all, it will only take you 10 minutes to put it on the table!
What is an Eton Mess?
Eton Mess is a classic dessert that combines crunchy meringue, soft whipped cream and fresh berries. The combination of creamy, airy and crunchy textures together with the bright flavours of fresh berries make this a perfect dessert for the spring and summer months.
This recipe puts a zesty twist on the classic Eton Mess by adding a couple of dollops of homemade lemon curd for an extra burst of flavour. The zingy lemon curd pairs beautifully with the sweet meringue and velvety cream. Chuck everything in a bowl for an extra messy Eton Mess or layer the ingredients neatly in a glass jar. Whatever serving option you prefer this no-bake dessert will be ready to go within a matter of minutes!
Ingredients for this zingy Eton Mess
- Cream: Freshly whipped cream with 1-2 teaspoons of powdered sugar adds a creamy base for this dessert. Use a handheld mixer to whip the cold cream until it's airy and fluffy, somewhere between soft and medium peaks is perfect for an Eton Mess.
- Meringue: Meringue cookies add both crunch and sweetness to this dessert. It’s made from egg whites and sugar that’s baked in the oven until dry and crunchy. For this recipe, I’ve used store-bought lemon meringue to match the theme, but homemade meringue would take this recipe over the top! Break it up into bitesize chunks.
- Lemon Curd: Bright yellow lemon curd makes this dessert shine like the sun and adds a delicious tart element that offsets the sweet meringue perfectly. Our homemade lemon curd recipe makes the best tangy and sweet curd!
- Fresh Berries: Use a mix of blueberries and raspberries, or whatever berries you love! They add a pop of colour, freshness and pair beautifully with the other flavours.
How to serve this Eton Mess?
Make it messy! Seriously, this is one dessert that doesn’t have to look picture-perfect. You can serve this dessert in individual dessert bowls or make it look a bit fancier by serving it in water glasses, martini glasses or mason jars.
All you have to do is layer your ingredients in your serving dish of choice. Break up your meringue in bitesize chunks and sprinkle these in between the layers of cream and lemon curd. Don’t forget to add some berries in between the layers as well. For an extra burst of citrus flavour, you can garnish the mess with a sprinkle of lemon zest on top.
Tips & Alternatives
Make it fresh:
The meringue is airy and crunchy but will start to soften as soon as you combine it with the other ingredients. Plate this dessert right before serving to ensure all the textures are as they should be. Plating should only take a couple of minutes. In order to save time you can set up all the individual ingredients, but only assemble right before you plan on eating this dessert.
Berry variations:
We’ve used a combination of blueberries and raspberries for this dessert, but you can use any type of berry you want. Go for what’s in season to get the juiciest and tastiest berries.
Cream:
The whipped cream can be made a couple of hours ahead of time and stored in the fridge until use. Add 1-2 teaspoons of powdered sugar to the cream to give it just a hint of sweetness. Whip the cream with a handheld mixer until it's somewhere between soft and medium peaks. For an extra luxurious flavour, you can also add some vanilla extract. This makes your whipped cream taste almost like semi-melted vanilla ice cream!
Lemon Curd:
We’ve used our zingy and delicious lemon curd recipe that adds a velvety smooth, sweet and tangy flavour to this Eton Mess. You can also use store-bought lemon curd if you’re short on time. Switch it up for other fruit curds or jams and jellies to completely change the flavour profile.
Are you looking for more fresh spring recipes?
Here are some sweet spring dessert and brunch ideas:
- Try our foolproof Lemon Curd recipe that will create a luscious, velvety smooth and zingy curd that you’ll want to slather on everything.
- Looking for a fun and creative Easter treat? Try these cute Easter Meringue Nests!
- If you love baking you probably use loads of vanilla extract. This Homemade Vanilla Extract is cheaper and tastes way better than most supermarket varieties. It’s also super easy to make with just 2 ingredients!
- Serve these gorgeous Apple Rose Puff Pastry Roses during your next spring brunch or picnic.
- Bake these decadent Brownies with a rich chocolate flavour, a fudgy middle and crispy edges. They're chocolate heaven!
- Make these naturally Pink Ruby Chocolate Covered Dates for your next special occasion! The perfect sweet treat, all you need is 4 ingredients and 15 minutes.
Here are some savoury spring recipe ideas:
- This Classic Chunky Egg Salad is the perfect spring-inspired topping for a sandwich or wrap. To make this fresh and tasty egg salad you only need simple ingredients and pantry staples.
- Serve this festive Cranberry Brie Crescent Wreath for brunch or as an appetizer, your guests will gobble up this wreath in no time!
- Serve these Truffle Deviled Eggs at your next party! These delicious appetizers can be made ahead of time and a touch of truffle gives them an elegant twist.
- This mouthwatering Spring Risotto with Green Asparagus and Peas is full of fragrant fresh herbs, luscious green spring vegetables and a hint of lemon.
