Chocolate Chip & Pecan Meringue Bars

Name: Chocolate Chip & Pecan Meringue Bars
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 2 dozen.
Ingredients: 4 large egg whites; 1/2 cup butter, softened; 1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar, divided; 1/2 cup sugar; 2 large egg yolks, room temperature; 3 tablespoons 2% milk; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips; 3/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

I've had recipes for chocolate chip cookies and pecan meringues in my collection for a number of years—and I combined them to make these bars! They're a lovely addition to any holiday cookie tray. —Dawn Lowenstein, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania

Ingredients

4 large egg whites
1/2 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar, divided
1/2 cup sugar
2 large egg yolks, room temperature
3 tablespoons 2% milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Directions

Place egg whites in a small bowl; let stand at room temperature 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 325°. In a large bowl, cream butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolks, milk and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Press into a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan.
With clean beaters, beat egg whites on medium speed until foamy. Gradually add remaining brown sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high after each addition until brown sugar is dissolved. Continue beating until thick and glossy. Stir in chocolate chips and pecans. Spread over dough in pan.
Bake on a lower oven rack until meringue is lightly browned, 25-30 minutes. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Using a serrated knife, cut into bars. Store in an airtight container.