Meringue Squares

These are one of my favorites that my mother only made at Christmas time but they are delicious anytime!

Original recipe makes 4 dozen

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 egg white
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Cream together butter or margarine and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition.
In another bowl, sift flour, salt, and baking powder together. Blend in to the creamed mixture, and then add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla to the dough.
Spread dough in 9 x 13 inch greased baking pan, and sprinkle chopped nuts over top.
In a small mixing bowl, beat egg white until stiff but not dry. Add brown sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla to the whipped egg white, and beat thoroughly. Spread meringue over the dough and nuts already in the pan.
Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 20 to 30 minutes. Cool, and cut into bars.