MERINGUE PECAN PIE

3 egg whites
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla
20 Ritz crackers
1/2 cup chopped pecans
OPTIONAL TOPPINGS:
ice cream or fresh fruit or whipped cream

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9-inch pie pan well. Be sure to butter the edge and rim of the pan.

Beat egg whites until very stiff; slowly add sugar, baking powder, and vanilla.

Break the crackers into pieces about the size of a pea, and stir by hand into the meringue mixture. Add the pecans. Pour into prepared pan.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 25 minutes.

Serve with ice cream or fresh fruit and whipped cream.

Servings: 5 to 6
From: Mrs. Thomas H. Edelblute, Jr.
Source: Mountain Measures: a Collection of West Virginia Recipes by Junior League of Charleston, WV, 1974