CHOCOLATE CHIP MERINGUE BARS

Chocolate Chip Meringue Bars image

My husband and I are sugar beet farmers in the great Red River Valley. I've made these bars many times for my family, and we all love them.

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 50m

Yield about 3 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

1 cup shortening
1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar, divided
1/2 cup sugar
3 large eggs, separated
1 tablespoon cold water
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup ground salted peanuts

Steps:

In a large bowl, cream shortening, 1/2 cup of brown sugar and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolks. Combine water and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with water mixture, beating well after each addition. , Spread in a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Sprinkle with chocolate chips. In a small bowl, beat egg whites over medium speed until soft peaks form. Beat in remaining brown sugar, 2 tablespoons at a time, on high until stiff peaks form. Spread over chocolate chips. Top with peanuts. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until set. Cool on a wire rack.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 173 calories, Fat 9g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 18mg cholesterol, Sodium 69mg sodium, Carbohydrate 21g carbohydrate (15g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 2g protein.