This is an old family recipe. It really is a pie—as it bakes, it makes its own crust.

Ingredients

　　3 egg whites

　　1 teaspoon baking powder

　　1 1/2 cups sugar

　　20 Ritz Crackers, crumbled

　　1 1/2 cups chopped pecans

　　1 teaspoon vanilla extract

　　2 cups heavy cream

　　Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Grease a 9-inch pie pan. Beat the egg whites with the baking powder until stiff. Blend in 1 cup of the sugar, then add the cracker crumbs, pecans, and vanilla. Pour into the prepared pie pan and bake for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, whip the cream with the remaining 1/2 cup sugar until thick and spreadable. When the pie is done, place it on a rack to cool completely. Spread the whipped cream over the cooled pie.

　　Paula Deen's Kitchen Classics