Homemade Eton Mess-Inspired Ice Cream To Celebrate St George’s Day

Celebrate St George’s Day with a scoop of something unmistakably British! Our Eton Mess-inspired homemade ice cream is fruity, creamy, and delightfully crunchy – the perfect frozen tribute to this traditional English treat.

A Very British Dessert for a Very British Day

St George’s Day – celebrated every year on 23rd April – is England’s national day, honouring the country’s patron saint and the legendary dragon-slayer himself. While it’s not as widely marked as other national days, we think it’s the perfect excuse to spotlight a dessert that’s both nostalgic and absolutely delicious.

Say hello to Eton Mess – the quintessentially British blend of whipped cream, strawberries, and crumbled meringue. It’s said to have originated at Eton College (naturally), and it’s been a beloved summer staple ever since.

So this year, we’re giving it the Frosted Fusions treatment – turning that classic combination into a scoopable, homemade ice cream that’s just right for springtime celebrations.

In This Article, We’ll Share:

✅ A little about St George’s Day and the tradition behind Eton Mess
✅ How this ice cream pays homage to classic British flavours
✅ A simple recipe for Eton Mess-Inspired Ice Cream
✅ Topping ideas to elevate every scoop
✅ Vegan and dairy-free adaptations
✅ Plus, links to some of our favourite British-inspired desserts for further inspiration!

What Is Eton Mess?

Legend has it that this iconic dessert was created by accident when a pavlova got squashed at a school picnic – but rather than waste it, someone simply stirred the broken meringue into whipped cream and strawberries. A legend was born!

Its beauty lies in the contrasting textures:

✅ Crunchy meringue
✅ Juicy strawberries
✅ Soft, pillowy cream

It’s light, fruity, sweet, and wonderfully messy.

Why Eton Mess Ice Cream for St George’s Day?

Because there’s nothing more British than a bowl of Eton Mess, and what better way to celebrate England’s heritage than with a twist on one of its best-loved desserts?

We’ve taken those classic elements and folded them into a rich, creamy ice cream base, creating a frozen version that’s cool, refreshing, and every bit as celebratory.

And if you’re feeling extra patriotic? Serve it in cones with little Union Jack flags, or in chilled glasses alongside a pot of tea or a Pimm’s!

👉🏽 If you’re partial to a Pimms, you might like our Pimms and Lemonade Homemade Ice Cream – check out the recipe and full step-by-step guide here – Anyone For Pimm’s? Homemade Pimm’s And Lemonade Ice Cream

Our Favourite British-Inspired Ice Creams

If you’re in the mood for more traditional flavours reimagined, check out some of our other recipes:

👉🏽 Homemade Rhubarb and Custard Ice Cream Recipe – A classic school pud turned into a silky pink swirl
👉🏽 Homemade Strawberries and Cream Parfait – Another Wimbledon-worthy favourite, in layered frozen form
👉🏽 Classic Ice Cream Desserts: Old-Fashioned Favourites Made New – Featuring Spotted Dick, Arctic Roll, and more!

Eton Mess-Inspired Ice Cream Recipe

(Prep Time: 15 mins (plus chilling) | Churn Time: 25 mins | Freeze Time: 4–6 hrs)

Ingredients (Serves 6–8)

For the ice cream base:

• 300ml double cream
• 300ml whole milk
• 4 large egg yolks
• 100g caster sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of sea salt

For the mix-ins:

• 150g fresh strawberries, chopped
• 2 tbsp strawberry jam (or purée)
• 50g crushed meringue nests (or homemade – see meringue recipe)
• Optional: a dash of lemon juice for brightness

Method

1. Make the custard base:

• In a saucepan, heat the milk and cream over medium heat until just steaming.
• Meanwhile, whisk the egg yolks and sugar in a separate bowl until pale.

2. Temper the eggs:

• Slowly pour the hot milk into the yolk mixture, whisking constantly.
• Return the mix to the pan and cook over low heat, stirring, until it thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
• Remove from heat, add vanilla and salt, and allow to cool completely.

3. Chill the base:

• Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight.

4. Churn your ice cream:

• Once chilled, churn the mixture in an ice cream maker until soft-serve texture.

5. Add your mix-ins:

• Fold in chopped strawberries, jam, and meringue gently to keep some texture.

6. Freeze:

• Transfer to a lidded container and freeze for 4–6 hours or until firm enough to scoop.

Nutritional Info (Approx. Per 100g Serving)

• Calories: ~230 kcal | Fat: 14g | Carbohydrates: 18g | Sugars: 16g | Protein: 3g | Salt: 0.1g
  (Values may vary depending on mix-ins)

👉🏽 Note: If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can still make this recipe;

Simply pour your ice cream mixture into a freezer-safe container and freeze. Every 30 minutes, stir the mixture vigorously with a fork to break up ice crystals, repeating this process for about 3-4 hours or until the ice cream is firm. Please also check out our post – How to Make Homemade Ice Cream: Without an Ice Cream Maker – to learn more.

👉🏽 Don’t have an ice cream maker, but thinking about buying one? Not sure which one would suit you best? Head over to our article – What is the Best Ice Cream Maker? A Detailed Review. This provides information and guidance on what you want to look for in an ice cream maker and reviews a selection of appliances.

Topping Ideas for That Final Flourish

A good topping can take your ice cream from delicious to unforgettable – and this Eton Mess-inspired scoop is the perfect canvas for a little extra creativity.

Whether you’re serving it at a garden party or just treating yourself, here are some finishing touches to elevate every scoop:

• Extra meringue shards
• Fresh sliced strawberries
• A drizzle of strawberry coulis or lemon curd
• Edible flowers or mint for a springtime flourish
• Crushed shortbread for a biscuit-y twist

Vegan or Dairy-Free? No Problem

With just a few simple adaptations, you can cater for a variety of alternative diets.

To make this recipe plant-based, try the following swaps:

✅ Use coconut cream and almond or oat milk in place of dairy
✅ Replace egg custard with a cornstarch-thickened base or a cashew cream
✅ Use aquafaba-based meringues (easy to find or make!)
✅ Choose a vegan-friendly strawberry jam

You’ll still get that creamy base, fruity tang, and sweet crunch – just without the dairy.

The Final Scoop

Whether you’re waving a flag, sipping tea, or just enjoying a spring day, our Eton Mess-inspired ice cream is a scoop of British joy.

It’s rich, creamy, fruity, and a little bit chaotic – just like the original dessert, and perfect for celebrating St George’s Day in style.

👉🏽 Will you be adding this to your St George’s Day menu? Or do you have a favourite British dessert you’d love to see turned into ice cream?

Let us know in the comments – or tag us in your creations on socials. We love to see your homemade masterpieces!

Wishing you a very Happy St George’s Day.

We hope that you have enjoyed our article – Homemade Eton Mess-Inspired Ice Cream To Celebrate St George’s Day – and that we have inspired you to give this quintessentially British-inspired ice cream recipe a go. If you have any questions, please drop us a comment below, and we will be happy to get back to you.

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