Chocolate Chip Meringue Bars - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
3 eggs, separated
1 tablespoon cold water
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (6 oz)
1 cup ground salted peanuts

Preparation

In a mixing bowl, cream shortening, 1/2 C brown sugar and 1/2 C sugar.
Add egg yolks and mix well.
Combine the water and vanilla.
Combine flour, baking soda and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with with water/vanilla mixture.
Mix well.
Spread into a greased 15x10x1 inch baking pan.
Sprinkle with chocolate chips.
In a small glass or metal mixing bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form.
Add the remaining brown sugar, 2 tablespoons at a time, beating well after each addition.
Beat until stiff peaks form.
Spread over chocolate chips.
Top with peanuts.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes.