Recipe: Tropical Meringue Dessert Squares

TROPICAL MERINGUE DESSERT SQUARES

FOR THE CRUST:
1 cup flour
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
FOR THE FILLING:
1 cup sugar
6 tablespoons fresh or bottled key lime juice
6 large eggs, separated (reserve 3 egg whites for meringue)
1/4 cup (1/2 stick), butter softened
MERINGUE:
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup sweetened flaked coconut

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a 9x9x2-inch baking pan with Reynolds Parchment Paper (or foil); set aside.

TO MAKE THE CRUST:
Combine flour, powdered sugar and butter until crumbly; press into prepared pan.

Bake 15 minutes; remove from oven.

TO MAKE THE FILLING:
While crust is baking, combine sugar, lime juice, 6 egg yolks and butter in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, whisking frequently until thickened, about 8 to 10 minutes; set aside.

TO MAKE THE MERINGUE:
Combine 3 reserved egg whites and cream of tartar in a medium bowl (reserve remaining egg whites for another use or discard). Beat on high speed with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Continue beating about 2 minutes, gradually adding sugar until stiff peaks form; set aside.

Spread lime filling evenly over warm crust. Spread meringue evenly over lime filling. Sprinkle coconut over meringue.

Return to oven. Bake 10 to 13 minutes or until coconut is lightly browned. Remove from oven, cool completely.

Use edges of parchment lining to lift dessert from pan. Place on cutting board. Pull back edges of parchment for easy cutting. Cut into 16 squares. Serve immediately or refrigerate.

Servings: 16
Source: Reynolds Kitchens