Not so messy Eton Mess

I have a friend who is domestically challenged. She is very bright and really fun, but uncrustables are her idea of a nutritious dessert. So, this dessert is for her. Because I think she can manage it. And because I made it with her in mind. 
Just to illustrate, we went to Lake Martin a few weeks ago. Four girls. On the way there we stopped at a shopping mall with Target and Kroger to buy some stuff to cook dinner and to buy some floats. Well we got to the Target and she got excited because they had food as well and we could just get things to cook dinner right there at Target. Except that this wasn't one of those Targets that have real food. It only had frozen foods. But for her that was enough to cook dinner. There was a lot of awkward laughing and a lot of "Are you for real? This is dinner for you? Every night?" 


It turned out the preparation of a fairly normal dinner for the rest of us girls was sort of like domestication bootcamp for her.
Here are four other examples to illustrate why I hope, but am not entirely convinced, she can make this dessert. 


1. My friend just moved. She reads a lot and has an impressive collection of books. If you would visit her, you would find half the kitchen cabinets stacked not with dishes or foods, but with books. 
2. She doesn't know what shortening is. 
3. One time I visited her and except for milk (for coffee), pickles and olives there wasn't really anything in her fridge.
4. She gets excited about carrots and ranch dip because it's "real food."


So, this is for my friend and I really hope she can make this. I like her a lot. And I want her to be able to make something in the kitchen, aside from putting uncrustables in the toaster. 


First you'll need whipped cream, the tub kind is ok. But it's nicer if you just whip it up yourself and add some vanilla and some sugar. 

Now, maybe add some yogurt, yea?

And cut up some fresh strawberries. 

Vanilla wafers. Get some of those, too. Crumble them up! 

Start the layering by spreading the yogurt and whipped cream mix on the bottom of your glasses.

Now, crumble some vanilla wafers on the whipped cream and then top the cookie pieces off with strawberries. And to that add another layer of whipped cream and yogurt mix.

Add another layer of wafer crumbles and strawberries or even a third layer of each if your glasses allow.

Top that with a fresh mint leave if you happen to have some and Taa-daa! There you have a delicious and nutritious dessert.

Guten Appetit!


Eton Mess
- Strawberries
- 1 small container of heavy cream (you can even get the prepared tub if you're having that kind of day)
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla or scrapings of one scraped vanilla bean
- 1 small container of greek yogurt (about 4oz)
- vanilla wafer cookies


Beat the whipped cream until stiff peaks form, not too long as it can turn into butter consistency.
Add vanilla and 1 heaping tablespoon of sugar and beat for about 30 more seconds to 1 minutes, so that the two get incorporated.
Cut up the strawberries and crumble vanilla wafers into small pieces by hand. 
Set up the three different bowls (cut up strawberries, vanilla whipped cream, and vanilla wafer cookies) next to the bowls/glasses you're using to place your Eton Mess in.
Begin with the cream. Evenly spread out one layer on the bottom of your glasses.
Top with the cookie pieces and then with some strawberries. Add another layer of cream, vanilla wafer pieces and strawberries. Depending on the height of your glasses you may add another layer. End with a topping of strawberries and some fresh mint leaves.