Chocolate Tom Thumb Bars

Ingredients

• Servings: 24
• 1 cup shortening
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar, divided
• 3 eggs, whites and yolks separated
• 1 tablespoon cold water
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 (12 ounce) package semisweet chocolate chips

Recipe

Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 20 mins Ready Time: 40 mins


• preheat oven to 350 degrees f (175 degrees c). grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
• in a medium bowl; mix together shortening, white sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and egg yolks. stir in water and vanilla. in a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, and salt. combine with egg and sugar mixture; blend well. stir in chocolate chips. press into the bottom of the prepared pan.
• in a large glass or metal mixing bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. gradually add 1 cup brown sugar, continuing to beat until whites form stiff peaks. spread meringue on top of base, covering completely.
• bake in preheated oven until meringue has risen and light brown in color, about 15 to 20 minutes. leave to cool before cutting into bars.