This yummy take on a classic British dessert is as easy and elegant as it gets. I served this to my Book Club last month, and there was NADA left over. It got a ringing endorsement from King-Man, too. Several times. Oh, and then from some friends who were in town visiting. Hey, it was making everyone happy, so why recreate the wheel dessert? It's easy to keep the ingredients on hand, and it's easy to serve.

I first saw a recipe for Eton Mess by Ina Garten featured on the cover of her cookbook, How Easy Is That? Ina's version is a parfait with layers of whipped cream, berry sauce, and crushed meringue cookies. I took that idea and turned it into an easy ice cream sundae. The combination of flavors and textures is hard to beat.

Wondering where Eton Mess got its name? It is a classic British dessert that originated at Eton College in the 19th century and is served at their annual cricket games against Winchester College. Read more about its history and name here.

There are just 3 simple ingredients in my recipe:

• vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt
• raspberry sauce
• meringue cookies

The simplest and fastest way to prepare this dessert is to buy ready-made ice cream  and meringue cookies. You'll need to make the raspberry sauce--but it's super easy!

If you want to make your own vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt,
here are my recipes:

   Vanilla Bean Ice Cream recipe                   Vanilla Bean Frozen Yogurt recipe

I served this using my homemade Vanilla Bean Frozen Yogurt. It was yummy, but I won't hesitate to buy ice cream or frozen yogurt when I'm short on time.

You can make this delicious raspberry sauce in under 10 minutes!

Microwave Raspberry Sauce recipe

If you want to make your own meringues, here's a recipe from Ina. I prefer to buy them at the store. I don't want to go to all the trouble to make them only to smash them into bits. That would be painful. So I bought mine. These came from Trader Joe's.

Rest a wide knife over them and hit them with your fist or palm. One whack should be all they need to break into uneven pieces--some chunkier than others. They're supposed to be irregular in size and shape.

To assemble the sundaes, layer a scoop or two of ice cream, a generous drizzle of raspberry sauce, and sprinkles of crushed meringue on top. 

I served mine in martini glasses. That made them look a little fancier; plus, it's a convenient way to eat them when you're not seated at a table. My Book Club ate dessert in my living room. It was easy to hold onto the stem of the glass with one hand while eating the Eton Mess Sundae with the other hand.

The combination of the crunchy meringue, syrupy raspberries, and cold, creamy ice cream is pretty amazing.

Who knew a MESS could taste so good?

By the way, you can top this with any kind of fruit sauce. The Brits traditionally use a strawberry sauce. I'm pretty partial to this raspberry version.

Make it a Yummy day!

Monica

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Eton Mess Raspberry & Ice Cream Sundaes

By Monica

Ingredients

• vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt
• raspberry sauce (for recipe, go to http://www.theyummylife.com/recipes/151)
• meringue cookies

Directions

Break meringue cookies into pieces. In individual bowls or glasses, layer a scoop or two of ice cream or frozen yogurt, a generous drizzle of raspberry sauce, ending with meringue pieces on top.

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