White Chip Meringue Dessert Bars

These scrumptious dessert bars feature a tender shortbread crust topped with a sprinkling of white chocolate chips, chopped nuts and a delicate, brown sugar-sweetened meringue.

For easy flavor variations, substitute the white chocolate chips with other flavored chips like milk or semisweet chocolate, butterscotch, peanut butter, etc.

Recipe Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 cup butter, softened
1 (12-ounce) package NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Premier White Morsels
1 1/4 cups coarsely chopped nuts - divided use
3 large egg whites
1 cup packed brown sugar

Cooking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, powdered sugar and softened butter; cut together until crumbly. Press evenly onto the bottom of an ungreased 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until set.
3. Sprinkle morsels and 1 cup chopped nuts over the hot crust.
4. In a mixing bowl, beat egg whites until frothy. Gradually beat in brown sugar until stiff peaks form. Spread in the pan then sprinkle remaining chopped nuts on top. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve warm or cool completely.

Makes 24 bars.

Recipe and photograph are the property of Nestlé® and Meals.com, used with permission.