If you’re looking for a classic dessert with a modern twist, then this recipe to make a delicious Nutella Eton Mess with Sour Cherry Compote is what you need.

I recently rekindled my love for meringues, all after reading the latest issue of Gather Journal, where they featured their own Eton Mess recipe. This is my take on it. The rich flavour of nutella and the sweetness of the meringues is tamed by the sour cherries and the cold whipped cream. Are you drooling already? Me too, so let’s make one!

How To Make a Nutella Eton Mess with Sour Cherry Compote
Makes 5

INGREDIENTS

For the meringues:

– 4 egg whites at room temperature
– 3/4 cup of sugar
– 1 teaspoon of vanilla
– 1/4 cup of melted Nutella (place in double boiler until soft and runny)
– 1 pinch of salt
– 1 pinch of cream of tartar (optional)

For the compote:

– 1 pound of fresh sour cherries (frozen if you can’t find fresh)
– Juice of 1 lemon
– 4 Tablespoons of sugar

For the whipped cream:

– 250ml of whipping cream
– 1 tablespoon of sugar
– 2 drops of vanilla extract

MAKE IT

Meringues:

Preheat the oven at 200F. Prepare a tray with parchment paper and turn on the double boiler to start melting the Nutella.

Whip the egg whites until they start to get nice and foamy (soft peaks), slowly start adding the sugar, vanilla, pinch of salt and pinch of cream of tartar. Continue to whip until the egg whites are stiff and glossy. Don’t over do it or you’ll kill it. To test it, simply try to fluff the egg whites, if the “peaks” hold, then you should stop.

Add the nutella and fold a few times using a spatula. Mix 6 times max as we want them to look like marble and not like brownies. Using a large spoon, scoop nice big dollops of meringue onto the tray with the parchment paper. Once you have all your meringues ready, stick them in the oven for two hours. After this time, turn off the oven and leave meringues inside for a few hours to cool down. Just make sure they’re not gooey, if they are, bake longer.

Compote:

Grab a saucepan, dump yo cherries, add the lemon juice and sugar, simmer for 10 to 15 minutes (until it looks jammy). Done.

Whipped cream:

Grab a bowl, dump yo whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla. Whip it like a polaroid picture. Once you have stiff peaks, you’re good to go (same rule as the meringues, if the peaks “hold” then it’s done).

SERVE IT

Crush the meringues. Add the whipped cream and drizzle some of the compote on top. Garnish with a cherry. And voila! The best dessert ever!

Credits:
– Photos and Styling by The Artful Desperado
– Meringue recipe adapted from Gather Journal Spring/Summer 2013 and Cream Puffs in Venice.
– Background images used in collages via Superfamous