Vienna Chocolate Bars

From Southern Living. They attribute the recipe to Nancy Reagan.

• Ready In: 1 hr 35 mins
• Serves: 36

Ingredients

• 1  cup butter
• 1 1⁄2 cups sugar
• 2  large  egg yolks
• 2 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
• 10  ounces  seedless raspberry jam
• 1  cup  semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 4  large  egg whites, at room temperature
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 2  cups pecans, finely chopped

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 15x10 inch jelly roll pan with aluminum foil. Lightly grease. Beat butter and 1/2 cup sugar until light. Add egg yolks and beat until combined. Gradually add flour and beat until just combined. Press dough into bottom of pan.
2. Bake 15 to 20 minutes.or until lightly browned. Remove from oven. Spread with preserves and sprinkle with chocolate chips.
3. Beat egg whites and salt at high speed until foamy. Gradually add 1 cup of sugar beating until glossy, stiff peaks form. Fold in pecans. Spread over raspberry and chocolate mixture.
4. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until meringue is browned and crispy. Allow to cool completely and cut into bars.