Walnut Meringue Pie Crust With Fruit Filling - cooking recipe

Ingredients

3 egg whites, room temperature
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2/3 cup chopped walnuts
20 Ritz crackers, broken into fourths
4 cups fruit, of choice fresh or canned,drained well
1/2 cup heavy cream, whipped,unsweetened

Preparation

Beat the egg whites until soft peaks form.
Add the salt and baking powder.
Gradually beat in the sugar; continue beating until stiff and glossy.
Add the vanilla extract.
Lightly fold in the walnuts and cracker chunks.
Spread the mixture over the bottom and sides of a well-greased pie plate; building up the sides.
Bake at 325\u00b0F for 25 to 30 minutes.
Cool completely on a wire rack.
Just before serving, fill the center with the drained fruit.
Serve the whipped cream on the side.