Apricot Meringue Bars - cooking recipe

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar, divided
1 cup cold butter
4 eggs, separated
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 (12 ounce) cans apricot filling
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Preparation

In a large bowl, combine flour and 1/2 cup sugar.
Cut in butter until crumbly.
Add egg yolks and vanilla; mix well.
Press into a greased 15 in x 10 in x 1 in baking pan.
Bate at 350\u00b0F for 12 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
Spread apricot filling over crust.
In a small mixing bowl, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form.
Gradually beat in the remaining sugar, 1 Tbsp at a time on high until stiff peaks form and sugar is dissolved.
Spread over apricot layer.
Sprinkle with pecans.
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until lightly browned.
Cool on a wire rack.
Cut into bars.
Refrigerate leftovers.