Congo Bars
Congo Bars are a classic, old-fashioned dessert known for their rich brown sugar flavor, chewy texture, and simple ingredients. They are easy to make, bake in one pan, and come out perfectly soft with golden edges every time. These bars are ideal for potlucks, bake sales, family gatherings, or whenever you want a nostalgic homemade treat without much effort.
Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
2 cups brown sugar, packed
3 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 to 2 cups chocolate chips or chocolate chunks
Optional: 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter and brown sugar. Stir until smooth and glossy.
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Do not overmix.
Fold in the chocolate chips and nuts, if using, making sure they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve plain, dusted lightly with powdered sugar, or warmed slightly with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Storage Tips:
Store Congo Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
They can also be refrigerated for up to a week or frozen for longer storage.
Why You’ll Love Them:
These bars are soft, chewy, buttery, and full of caramel-like brown sugar flavor. Congo Bars are proof that simple ingredients can create timeless desserts everyone loves.