If you’ve been checking in regularly, you already know I host a monthly book club where I love planning a menu that’s a wink and a nudge to whatever we’ve finished reading.

For February, we embarked on the twisty journey of Alice Feeney’s latest Beautiful Ugly. And since a large chunk took place in jolly ol’ England, it only seemed right to close the meal with a sweet ode to Britain.

As a fan of The Great British Bake Off, I could’ve used this opportunity to make a real showstopper. A Victoria sponge cake. A selection of entermets. A perfect pavlova. A treacle tart roulade (that was fun to type).

But since I’d never attempted any of those before—and figured this might not be the right time—I remembered how my beloved Ina made Eton Mess for a big charity function in The Hamptons. I mean how bad could it be if she served it to Alec Baldwin and Mariska Hargitay?

While the components are simple—homemade raspberry sauce, freshly whipped cream, and lemon shortbread that I subbed in for the meringues—it’s more delicious than you think it should be. And looks pretty all layered up in whatever glasses you have at home.

While I’m not sure Prue and Paul Hollywood would be that impressed, everyone at book club seemed to enjoy it, so that’s all that matters, right?

What’s your favorite go-to dessert when you’re in a hurry?