Somewhere along the way, perhaps about the time Don and Betty Draper divorced, meringue fell out of favor in American home kitchens. Judging by the sheer volume of meringue recipes in my vintage recipe collection, it seemed that housewives whipped up meringues on a whim, covering a lemon pie with the confection here or folding it into a custard for a chiffon pie there. They recognized that meringue brings classic style and panache, elevating baked goods to something a bit more ethereal.
While meringue is no longer in the repertoire of most home cooks, it is truly easy to prepare -- after all, it's simply whipped egg whites and sugar. And sometimes, it plays the starring role, as it does in these two-layer nut snacks, a retro dessert and the perfect, period-appropriate treat to enjoy while glued to the much anticipated fifth season of Mad Men.
First, a simple butter crust is pressed into the pan. Next the meringue -- made with brown sugar, a very unusual addition, and nuts -- is placed on top.
Spread the layer of meringue to cover the entire crust. Pop it into a 350 degree the oven.
When cool, cut into squares. Serve and enjoy. And be glad you're not Don or Betty Draper.
Production note: I used an 8 x 8 square pan, though you can use one a bit larger. Set the oven to 350 degrees, and the whites will whip up with more volume if they're at room temperature.
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