Congo Squares
Dive into the sweet, buttery nostalgia of Congo Squares, a classic dessert bar brimming with irresistible flavor and texture. These chewy, golden squares combine rich brown sugar, melty semisweet chocolate chips, and optional chopped nuts for the perfect balance of sweetness and crunch. With just 15 minutes of prep time, this easy recipe comes together in a single bowl, making cleanup a breeze. The batter is baked until lightly golden, creating a crackly top and soft, fudgy interior that will have everyone reaching for seconds. Perfect for potlucks, bake sales, or a family treat, these dessert bars deliver indulgence in every bite. Serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or enjoy them on their own as a delightful snack—either way, Congo Squares are bound to become a household favorite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 0.5 cup Unsalted butter
- 2.25 cups Brown sugar, packed
- 3 Large eggs
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 2.5 cups All-purpose flour
- 2.5 teaspoons Baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 1.5 cups Semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup Chopped nuts (optional, e.g., pecans or walnuts)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Remove from heat and stir in the brown sugar until smooth. Allow the mixture to cool slightly.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs and vanilla extract together. Gradually add the slightly cooled butter and brown sugar mixture, stirring to combine.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
Fold in the chocolate chips and chopped nuts (if using) until evenly distributed.
Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs (avoid overbaking to maintain a chewy texture).
Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack before slicing into squares.
Serve and enjoy! Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
5864 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 233.9 g | 300% | |
| Saturated Fat | 99.0 g | 495% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 682 mg | 227% | |
| Sodium | 2652 mg | 115% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 911.2 g | 331% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 40.2 g | 144% | |
| Total Sugars | 633.7 g | ||
| Protein | 83.8 g | 168% | |
| Vitamin D | 3.0 mcg | 15% | |
| Calcium | 831 mg | 64% | |
| Iron | 34.9 mg | 194% | |
| Potassium | 2848 mg | 61% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
