Raspberry Meringue Bars Recipe
Delightfully sweet and tangy Raspberry Meringue Bars feature a buttery crumb crust topped with fresh raspberry filling and a fluffy, golden meringue layer. Perfect as a light dessert or elegant treat for any occasion, these bars combine tart raspberries with sweet meringue for a classic, irresistible flavor combination.
- Author: Ruby
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Crust
- 1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
Raspberry Filling
- 2 cups fresh raspberries (or frozen, thawed)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Extra 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for filling, estimated)
Meringue Topping
- 4 egg whites (room temperature)
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (estimated for meringue whipping)
- Prepare and preheat: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper to ensure the bars release easily after baking.
- Make the crust: In a mixing bowl, cream together the unsalted butter and 1 cup granulated sugar until soft and fluffy. Gradually mix in the all-purpose flour until the mixture becomes crumbly but holds together.
- Bake the crust: Press the crumbly dough evenly into the prepared baking dish to form a solid base. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the crust is lightly golden. Remove from oven and set aside.
- Prepare raspberry filling: Mash the fresh or thawed raspberries and mix in the 1 tablespoon lemon juice along with approximately 1/4 cup granulated sugar to balance tartness. Stir well and set aside.
- Whip the meringue: Using a clean bowl and whisk or mixer, beat the egg whites until frothy. Gradually add approximately 1/2 cup granulated sugar and the 2 tablespoons cornstarch. Continue whipping until stiff, glossy peaks form.
- Assemble the bars: Pour the prepared raspberry filling evenly over the baked crust. Carefully spread or dollop the meringue over the top, covering the filling completely.
- Bake the assembled bars: Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the meringue is golden brown and set.
- Cool and serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the baking dish to ensure clean slicing. Once cooled, cut into squares and serve.
Notes
- Using room temperature egg whites helps achieve better volume when whipping meringue.
- Frozen raspberries should be fully thawed and drained to avoid excess moisture in the filling.
- Adjust sugar in the raspberry filling based on the tartness of the berries used.
- Ensure the baking dish is properly lined with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Cool completely before slicing for clean bars that hold shape well.
Keywords: raspberry bars, meringue dessert, fruit bars, baked dessert, berry meringue bars