Step 1

In a preheated oven at 350 degrees. Place 1/3 cup pecans and Ritz crackers for 5 minutes. You want to lightly roast the nuts and crackers. Watch them carefully so they do not burn. The crackers and nuts should be light golden in color. Remove from oven when golden and place on paper towel until cool.

Step 2

Add vanilla and cream of tartar to egg whites and beat until stiff. Slowly add sugar and continue to beat egg whites until very stiff peaks form and sugar is dissolved. Fold in 1/3 cup pecans and Ritz crackers. Place in a 10" pie pan that has been lightly sprayed with a nonstick baking spray. Spread the meringue to the sides and cover the bottom of the pan.

Step 3

The meringue will be about 1" - 1 1/8" thick layer in the pie pan. Hollow out a little hole in the middle of the bottom of the meringue the size of half a dime, this will help with an even baking of the shell. If you have any meringue left make a little nest bake the same manner and fill with leftover pudding or fruits. Place in a preheated oven at 275 degrees for 1 hour. Check shell, the meringue should not scorch, it will turn light tan in color.

Step 4

Turn oven off and let shell dry in the oven for another hour. Remove shell and cool. When the shell is cool place the whipped topping in the shell and sprinkle with 1/4 cup broken pecans. Place in refrigerator to completely chill before serving. Meringue will whip fluffier and be fuller when prepared at low humidity.