Sweet Cherry Meringue Dessert

Name: Sweet Cherry Meringue Dessert
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 15 servings.
Ingredients: 6 egg whites; 3/4 teaspoon cream of tartar; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 2 cups sugar; 2 cups crushed saltines (about 60 crackers); 1/2 cup chopped pecans; 1 carton (8 ounces) frozen reduced-fat whipped topping, thawed; 1 can (20 ounces) reduced-sugar cherry pie filling

"It's hard to resist this elegant treat with its sweet cherry flavor and fun crunchy crust," writes Bernardine Adamson of Sarcoxie, Missouri, "It won first place in the desserts category at my husband's company picnic."

Ingredients

6 egg whites
3/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups sugar
2 cups crushed saltines (about 60 crackers)
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 carton (8 ounces) frozen reduced-fat whipped topping, thawed
1 can (20 ounces) reduced-sugar cherry pie filling

Directions

In a large bowl, beat the egg whites until foamy. Add cream of tartar and vanilla; beat until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, until stiff glossy peaks form. Fold in saltines and pecans.
Transfer to a 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned and edges begin to crack. Cool on a wire rack. Spread whipped topping over crust. Carefully spoon pie filling over top.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 241 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 129mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.

Originally published as Cherry Meringue Dessert in Light & Tasty February/March 2002

Reviews

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Average Rating:

JCV4

Jun 6, 2015

Very easy to make. I was skeptical, but it really did taste good!
Herne59

May 20, 2013

Too much sugar; why don't they put the sugar grams in the nutritional analysis?
Annette Skelton

May 15, 2013

I haven't had time to try this receipe, butwill later
Jones02

May 14, 2013

My Mom made this in a pie plate, and served this with strawberries. She also served it with real whipped cream!
338fts

May 9, 2013

Fantastic dessert. My only recommendation is that unless you plan to serve it all at once I would not put the toppings on the entire crust but rather cut as many pieces of the crust you need and individually apply the toppings. Otherwise the crust does get soggy.
abbadabbado

May 9, 2013

This is a delicious dessert - easy to make with just the right amount of texture in the meringue with the crackers & nuts.
EURTO2012

May 9, 2013

This was very good. I'll make it again. I used reduced cool whip. Next time I might use cherry preserves instead of the pie filling.
gramgramk

May 4, 2013

My mom made this 'base' as a change from strawberry 'shortcake' as a kid. It's excellent used that way. Much better than the pie filling version.
wolfmommy

May 2, 2013

If you are diabetic, you should have figured out by now that Splenda can be substituted for the sugar. Just remember that the egg whites need to be stiffer before adding splenda.
michellenewman

May 2, 2013

to be diabetic friendly the 2 cups sugar should be switched to 2 cups of granulated Sugar Substitute like Splenda.