Royal Raspberry Bars

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups rolled oats
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup sweetened flaked dried coconut
• 1/4 cup plus 2/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup (3/8 lb.) butter or margarine, melted
• 3/4 cup raspberry jam
• 3 large egg whites
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

Preparation

1. 1. In a bowl, mix oats, flour, coconut, 1/4 cup sugar, and salt. Add melted butter and stir until well blended. Press dough level in bottom of a 9- by 13-inch baking pan.
2. 2. Bake crust in a 325° regular or convection oven until edges begin to brown, 15 to 18 minutes. Let cool about 5 minutes, then spread jam evenly over warm crust.
3. 3. In a large bowl, with a mixer on high speed, whip egg whites and cream of tartar until thick and foamy. Gradually add 2/3 cup sugar and continue to whip until mixture holds soft, shiny peaks. With a spatula, spread meringue evenly over jam.
4. 4. Bake until meringue is lightly browned, about 20 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes, then cut into 24 bars. Let cool completely, then use a wide spatula to remove bars from pan.
5. Nutritinal analysis per bar.