Indulge in the delightful flavors of the season with our scrumptious Pomegranate Eton Mess recipe. This enchanting dessert combines the luscious sweetness of pomegranate with the airy goodness of whipped cream and the delightful crunch of meringues. The velvety pomegranate sauce adds a burst of color and a burst of flavor that will captivate your taste buds.
What is Eton mess?
Eton mess is a traditional English dessert, usually made during summer with strawberries or other type of berries. The berries are combined with whipped cream and crunchy meringues and topped with some berry sauce.
The name of the dessert drives from its origin at the Eton College. The word "mess" refer to the dish look or to define a quantity of food. The point is that this dessert doesn’t look very complicated. It's just a dollop of cream with fruits, crushed meringues and sauce but the combination is perfect and you will be looking for a spoon to dive in.
Pomegranate dessert
Since summer is over and in Israel, strawberries are more of a winter/spring fruit that you can't get any time of the year, I changed it to pomegranates.
I used store-bought pomegranate juice to create the sauce. If you don’t want to make a mess in your kitchen by removing the pomegranate seeds, you can also buy just the pomegranate seeds ready for use. Another option is to make pomegranate juice by blending the seeds and straining the juice if you prefer not to buy it. You can also make homemade meringues but I choose the shortcut of store-bought this time.
The meringues I bought are in the traditional shape they are sold in Israel as little piped cookies. They are called "kisses". You can also buy meringue shaped as nests, in any way you crush them and don’t serve them as they are.
So this recipe mainly requires assembling, no baking or something complicated.
In some years all the holiday meals are in the middle of the week and we have a row of holiday after holiday and then Shabbat and holiday and Shabbat again. Using shortcuts for dessert is the best thing you can do to reduce stress.
The little pomegranates seeds look like jewels and I like to garnish desserts with them when in season. And especially during the high holidays at the beginning of the year.
how to make eton mess
When using shortcuts for this dessert you can also prepare all parts of it in advance and just assemble it at the last minute.
I make the pomegranate sauce in advance and keep in the fridge. Then the only thing you need to do before assembling is whip the whipping cream and it takes literally 2 minutes. Finally, you mix the crushed meringues and pomegranate seeds with the whipped cream and drizzle the sauce on it.
This pomegranate Eton mess recipe creates a dairy dessert but it's very easy to make it parve (non-dairy) by switching the whipping cream to a non-dairy one. This pomegranate Eton mess dessert is gluten free one, for other gluten free recipes on my blog, check out my gluten free recipe index.
Tips to ensure your Pomegranate Eton Mess turns out perfectly
Fresh Pomegranate Seeds
Use fresh and ripe pomegranate seeds for the best flavor and vibrant color. When selecting a pomegranate, look for ones that are heavy and have a rich red color.
Pomegranate Juice
You can use store-bought pomegranate juice or freshly squeezed juice for the sauce. If using store-bought juice, make sure it's 100% pure pomegranate juice without any added sugar or additives.
Adjust Sugar to Taste
The amount of sugar in the recipe is a guideline. Taste the pomegranate sauce and whipped cream as you go and adjust the sweetness according to your preference.
Simmering the Pomegranate Juice
Be careful not to overcook the pomegranate juice when making the sauce. Simmer it just enough to thicken it slightly, without reducing it too much, as it can become too sticky or overly concentrated.
Whipping the Cream
For the best results, use chilled heavy whipping cream and a cold mixing bowl. Whip the cream until stiff peaks form but be careful not to over-whip it, as it could turn into butter.
Meringues
You can use store-bought meringues or make your own. If you prefer a softer texture, fold in the crushed meringues just before serving. For a crunchier texture, add them on top right before serving.
Assembly
Assemble the Pomegranate Eton Mess just before serving to maintain the texture and presentation. Layer the whipped cream, pomegranate seeds, and crushed meringues in individual serving bowls or a large trifle dish for a beautiful presentation.
Garnish
Before serving, drizzle the pomegranate sauce over the top of the dessert and add extra pomegranate seeds and meringue pieces as a garnish for an enticing look.
Make-Ahead Tip
You can prepare the pomegranate sauce and whipped cream in advance and store them separately in the refrigerator. Assemble the dessert just before serving to retain the freshness.
Enjoy Fresh
Pomegranate Eton Mess is best enjoyed fresh. While leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator, the meringues may lose their crispiness over time.
FAQS
es, you can use frozen pomegranate seeds if fresh ones are not available. Thaw them before using and pat them dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture.
Yes, you can use non-dairy whipped cream made from coconut cream or other plant-based alternatives to make this recipe vegan-friendly.
Absolutely! You can prepare the pomegranate sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until you're ready to use it. Just make sure to cool it completely before storing it in an airtight container.
While Pomegranate Eton Mess is best enjoyed fresh, you can store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 days. However, keep in mind that the meringues may lose their crispiness over time.
If you prefer, you can replace the meringues with crushed cookies, biscotti, or even cake pieces to add a different texture to the dessert.
Absolutely! Feel free to get creative and add other fruits like strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries to complement the pomegranate flavor.
es, the recipe is already gluten-free as long as you use gluten-free meringues or make your own gluten-free meringues.
While you can prepare some components in advance (such as the pomegranate sauce and whipped cream), it's best to assemble the dessert just before serving to maintain its texture and visual appeal.
Other no-bake desserts to try:
Make this pomegranate Eton mess today!
Whether you serve it at a festive gathering or enjoy it as a delightful indulgence, this Pomegranate Eton Mess is sure to leave your guests and loved ones astounded. So, get ready to experience a burst of joy with every spoonful. Let's dive into this extraordinary dessert and embark on a culinary adventure that will fill your heart and palate with pure delight. In Sukkot, we have a lot of meals and guests usually, and this easy dessert pleases my family in the Sukkah when you just want a small sweet bite with a cup of tea or coffee. This pomegranate Eton mess dessert is easy to whip up and taste so good. The fluffy cream with crunchy meringues and little pomegranate seeds that are full of flavor is just so, so good. What else do you need to have a good start to the year?
Recipe yields 4-6 servings depend on the serving dish you use.
Pomegranate Eton Mess
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup pomegranate juice
- 2 tablespoon sugar
- 2 tablespoon powdered sugar
- 1 cup whipping cream
- ¼ cup pomegranate seeds
- ⅓ cup crushed meringues or more to your taste
Instructions
- In a small pan place the pomegranate juice and 2 tablespoons of sugar.
- Simmer for approximately 10 minutes to create a sauce.
- Transfer to a bowl and cool (if you prepare it in advance then save in the fridge until using).
- In a bowl whip the whipping cream with the 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar.
- Crush the meringues into rough pieces.
- Fold into the whipped cream the crushed meringues and pomegranate seeds.
- Transfer a dollop of the cream mixture to a serving bowl.
- Drizzle the sauce on it and add more meringues and pomegranate seeds for garnish.
- Serve and Happy Sukkot!
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