In this recipe, I’ve taken the classic British summer dessert Eton mess (meringue, strawberries and cream) and reimagined it through an Australian rocky road lens. Now you can enjoy two beloved treats in one bite.
This is a crowd-pleaser without being overwhelming to make. It’s an ideal rocky road recipe for workplace morning teas, school fetes, or casual gatherings where you need quantity without complexity.
How to make Eton mess rocky road: key tips
While it looks impressive on the plate, this rocky road recipe is deceptively simple. To maximise the meringue flavours (which beautifully mimic pavlova, too), I have a trick: fold half the meringue and strawberries through, then sprinkle the rest on top. This ensures you get a pretty surface decoration and flavour throughout every piece. Stirring too vigorously would break down the meringue pieces, while folding maintains those crucial chunks of crunch that make each bite interesting. Give the rocky road at least 30 minutes to set in the fridge. And, if you’re in a hot kitchen, keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to serve.
What goes into Eton mess rocky road
We start with chocolate, of course. Unlike dark or milk chocolate, white chocolate's sweet, creamy neutrality mimics the role of whipped cream in traditional Eton mess, letting the strawberry and meringue flavours shine through. Freeze-dried strawberries provide intense strawberry flavour, satisfying crunch, and gorgeous colour without adding moisture. Freeze-dried strawberries or strawberry crisps are available at the supermarket in the baking aisle. Rocky road without marshmallows isn't a rocky road. They provide a soft, pillowy texture contrast against the crisp meringue and crunchy freeze-dried fruit. While not traditional in Eton mess, shredded coconut is a rocky road staple that adds tropical sweetness and textural interest without overwhelming the strawberry-meringue theme. If you like lollies in your rocky road, you could add some Strawberries and Cream lollies to the mix.
Looking for more creative rocky road inspiration? Check out this collection of new rocky road recipe ideas.
Recipe and photography by Greer Worsley
Ingredients
- 750g white chocolate melts
- 140g white marshmallows
- 30g freeze-dried strawberries, halved
- 8 meringue nests, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut
Method
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Step 1Grease and line an 18cm x 27cm slice pan with baking paper, extending the paper over the two long sides.
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Step 2In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate in 30-second bursts in the microwave until smooth. Alternatively, place chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water to melt.
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Step 3Add marshmallows, half the strawberries, half the meringue nests, and all the coconut to the chocolate. Fold gently. Pour into prepared pan and spread out into an even layer. Sprinkle over remaining strawberries and meringue nests. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to set.
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Step 4Use baking paper to lift the rocky road from pan. Place on a chopping board and cut into pieces to serve.
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