I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: there is something remarkably cool about beating egg whites.
It’s just so rewarding to go from that icky off-clear color to perfectly whipped foamy peaks in a matter of minutes. Granted most of the time I do it with my mixer, but there have been a few times that I did it with a whisk by hand.
My arm was sore. I don’t really do that anymore. Except when I didn’t have time to workout.
Has anyone ever heard of Delta Bars before? I was looking through some of the recipes I got from my mom at Christmas that belonged to my Mimi, my Grandma, and my Great-Aunt Clara. Talk about a killer find too, these bars are so rich but since the top is made of only egg whites, a little sugar, and some pecans I figure it’s health food.
You know, because of the protein.
Right?
Hello?
Anyway, these bars are absolutely decadent with a sweet crunch from the meringue on top. The bottom is a thin cookie-type crust that mellows out the sweetness of the whole dish. And by mellows out I mean makes it more sweet and delicious and gives the bar even more character than it already has. All I have to say is don’t think you’re going to be getting a really pretty clean bar out of the deal…after they’ve cooled these guys are not the cleanest cut, but I say that just means you can eat more.
To even it out of course.
DELTA BARS
In a bowl combine 1 stick of room temperature butter with 1 cup of sugar. Add in 2 egg yolks (reserve the whites), 1 tsp vanilla, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1 cup flour. Mix until crumbly. Press into a 9×13 pan (you might have to flour your fingers since the dough will be sticky.
Beat the 2 egg white until stiff, then slowly add 1 cup of loosely packed brown sugar. Fold in 1 cup of chopped pecans. Spread evenly over the crust.
Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes until the top is set and golden brown (my oven is pretty fast so I only baked mine for 20 but the original recipe called for 30 minutes).
I’m said I only have one egg at the moment to make these again. Good enough of a reason to hit up the store again!
judith says
This is the recipe I’ve searched for since my mother’s passing. Her birthday is tomorrow (Oct. 15) she would be 119 yrs old. All the relatives will be happy that you shared this prized recipe – it’s a great one!
Heather says
Oh Judith, your comment brought tears to my eyes! I’m SO happy you’ll be able to make this. I hope you have a beautiful day remembering her!
MA says
I know I’m really late to the party, but I thought you’d want to know– Delta Bars come from the 1963 Cooky(sic) Book by Betty Crocker (which has the BEST cover ever). They republished it in 2002 & I’ve been making my way through for the past year, trying all the recipes I’d wondered about but never made. Delta Bars were the first of the untried that I really loved & lately it’s been my go to for potlucks–they always go fast!
Anyway, glad to see someone else feeling the DB love!
Heather says
Oh, love the history! Thanks so much for sharing, MA!
Rachael says
I made these a few weeks ago, my mom and I loved them. Even my sweet hating man loved them! He also asked me to use the base to make some some cookies. It was the first time I had ever whipped eggs, now I am also in love with it!
Deb (SmoothieGirlEatsToo) says
Maybe “delta” because I’ll be as big as the Mississippi delta after I make and consume them? 🙂
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
NICE!!!
I think I have to make these! asap 🙂
Elle says
They look so crisp on the top!
janetha @ meals & moves says
I have NEVER heard of these.. but I am convinced I need to make them!
Tichina says
Yummy, these look great! Glad to see someone else shares my theory on “the even cut”… I think I would go for the uneven cut on puropse in this case… a girl’s gotta get her protein right?? 🙂
Lynne @ 365 Days of Baking says
Heather,
these remind me of something I had when I was little, but I don’t remember what it was called. Maybe it was a Delta Bar.
I guess I’ll just have to make them and find out! Can I borrow it and link it back to you?
Thanks for sharing!
Heather says
of course! i’d love it if you made them 🙂
Baking Serendipity says
I’ve never had these/heard of these before, but they look so, so good! And I’m embarrassingly fond of recipes that require egg white whipping. I think it’s cool too 🙂
Maria says
Never heard of these but now I want to try them!
Amanda @ The Beauty Notebooks says
I would love to try these! Haven’t tried doing meringue in years. The ingredient list sounds simple yet comforting, my favorite!
Kate@Diethood says
They sound great!! I love the meringue topping!
Shawn says
I’ve never heard of these but, they’re definitely in my ‘short range’ plan 🙂
Katie @ cooklaughmove says
Those sound awesome!
I made your fully-loaded brownies this weekend and yes, the basic brownie portion of the recipe is the best brownie recipe EVER!! LOVE!
Lauren at Keep It Sweet says
I’ve never heard of Delta Bars before but they look pretty delicious! Yes, definitely health food.
brandi@BranAppetit says
I’ve never seen bars like these, but now I want them 🙂
Jessica @ How Sweet says
Never had these. WANT NOW.
sara says
Love the idea of meringue on top of cookies…yum!!! Looks really delicious. 🙂
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
Never heard of them but they sure do look good! That protein’s gotta count for something 😉
marla says
These bars look awesome with that meringue on top!! LOVE 🙂
Emily @ Operation Emily says
These look interesting. My mom used to make a small pecan tart with a cookie-like crust on the bottom and a kinda crispy pecan topping. These remind me of them. Thanks for sharing!