Taste of Home
Tart Cherry Meringue Dessert
TOTAL TIME: Prep: 25 min. Bake: 25 min. + chilling
YIELD: 12 servings.
I've made this cherry dessert for years to serve at baby showers, birthday parties and other special occasions. People really enjoy the tender crust, cherry filling and melt-in-your-mouth meringue. Every time I serve it, someone asks for the recipe. —Kathryn Dawley, Gray, Maine
Ingredients
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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1 teaspoon salt
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1 cup shortening
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1 large egg, room temperature, lightly beaten
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TOPPING AND FILLING:
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3 large eggs, separated
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
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1-1/2 cups sugar, divided
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3/4 cup finely chopped almonds
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1 can (14-1/2 ounces) pitted tart cherries
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3 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca
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2 teaspoons lemon juice
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6 to 8 drops red food coloring, optional
Directions
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1.
Preheat oven to 375°. In a small bowl, mix flour and salt; cut in shortening until crumbly. Add egg, stirring with a fork. Press mixture onto bottom and up sides of a greased 11x7-in. baking dish. Bake until lightly browned, 20-22 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Reduce oven setting to 350°.
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2.
In a small bowl, beat egg whites with vanilla and cream of tartar on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add 3/4 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high after each addition until sugar is dissolved. Continue beating until stiff glossy peaks form. Fold in almonds.
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3.
Drain cherries, reserving juice. Add enough water to juice to measure 1 cup; pour into a saucepan. Stir in tapioca, egg yolks and remaining sugar; let stand 5 minutes. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly; cook and stir until thickened, about 2 minutes. Stir in cherries, lemon juice and, if desired, food coloring.
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4.
Pour into crust. Immediately spread meringue over top, sealing edges to crust. Bake until meringue is golden brown, 22-25 minutes.
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5.
Cool 1 hour on a wire rack. Refrigerate at least 3 hours before serving.
Nutrition Facts
1 piece: 554 calories, 28g fat (6g saturated fat), 94mg cholesterol, 294mg sodium, 69g carbohydrate (42g sugars, 2g fiber), 8g protein.
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