Chocolate Chip Meringue Bars

• 1 cup shortening
• 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3 eggs, separated
• 1 tablespoon cold water
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (6 oz)
• 1 cup ground salted peanuts

1. In a mixing bowl, cream shortening, 1/2 C brown sugar and 1/2 C sugar.
2. Add egg yolks and mix well.
3. Combine the water and vanilla.
4. Combine flour, baking soda and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with with water/vanilla mixture.
5. Mix well.
6. Spread into a greased 15x10x1 inch baking pan.
7. Sprinkle with chocolate chips.
8. In a small glass or metal mixing bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form.
9. Add the remaining brown sugar, 2 tablespoons at a time, beating well after each addition.
10. Beat until stiff peaks form.
11. Spread over chocolate chips.
12. Top with peanuts.
13. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes.

shortening, brown sugar, sugar, eggs, cold water, vanilla, flour, baking soda, salt, semisweet chocolate chips, ground salted peanuts

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/chocolate-chip-meringue-bars-63999 (may not work)