A: Yes, you can safely bake a meringue pie if you follow a few guidelines. Bake meringues at 350 degrees F at least 15 minutes. Old recipes call for 250 degrees, but alter up to 350 degrees F. To prevent the meringue from getting too dark, place on lower rack in oven.

Another option is to use purchased dried egg whites. This product is sometimes called "Meringue Powder." It is usually found in any store that sells cake decorating supplies. It has a very long shelf life (if stored in a cool, dry place) and works very well if you want to safely bake the meringue for a shorter time or at a lower temperature that is recommended above. As the purchased dried egg meringue or egg whites are pasteurized, the product is safe to use at a lower temperature baking or for a shorter time. Even so, the baked meringue pie is still a perishable food and should be stored in the refrigerator after baking.