Congo Bars Recipe

Introduction

Congo Bars are a rich, chewy treat bursting with chocolate chunks and gooey centers. Perfect for satisfying any sweet tooth, these bars combine buttery dough with two types of chocolate for an irresistible dessert.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature
• 2 cups brown sugar, packed
• 3 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chunks
• 1 cup milk chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper and lightly grease with nonstick spray. Set aside.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar together using an electric mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes until creamy and well combined.
3. Step 3: Add the eggs, vanilla extract, salt, and baking powder to the bowl. Mix again to combine, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
4. Step 4: Reduce the mixer speed to low, then gradually add the flour. Mix until just combined—do not overmix.
5. Step 5: Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chunks and milk chocolate chips evenly throughout the dough.
6. Step 6: Transfer the dough into the prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly using a rubber spatula.
7. Step 7: Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, until the edges are set but the center remains slightly underbaked and gooey.
8. Step 8: Let the bars cool in the pan for 5 minutes before removing them to cool completely on a wire rack. Once cool, slice into bars and serve.

Tips & Variations

• For extra texture, try adding chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans into the dough.
• Use a mix of dark and milk chocolate chips for a richer chocolate flavor.
• If you prefer a firmer center, bake the bars a few minutes longer, but be careful not to dry them out.
• Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature for smoother, more even mixing.

Storage

Store Congo Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. To enjoy warm, reheat individual bars for 10-15 seconds in the microwave.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe to prevent the bars from becoming too salty.

Can Congo Bars be frozen?

Absolutely. Wrap the bars tightly in plastic wrap and place them in an airtight container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Congo Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 68 reviews

• Author: Rafael
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 12–16 bars 1x

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Description

Congo Bars are a decadent and chewy chocolate chip cookie bar made with a rich brown sugar and butter base, loaded with semi-sweet and milk chocolate chunks. These bars bake to a gooey-centered perfection with slightly crisp edges, making them a perfect treat to satisfy your chocolate cravings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Wet Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature
• 3 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

• 2 cups brown sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Chocolate

• 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chunks
• 1 cup milk chocolate chips

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Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper and lightly grease it with nonstick spray. Set aside to prepare the batter.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer on medium speed to beat the room temperature butter and packed brown sugar together for about 2 minutes until the mixture is creamy and well combined.
3. Add Eggs and Flavorings: Add the eggs, vanilla extract, Kosher salt, and baking powder to the butter and sugar mixture. Mix everything together until combined, making sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to incorporate all ingredients evenly.
4. Incorporate Flour: Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the all-purpose flour. Mix just until combined to avoid overworking the batter, which keeps the bars tender.
5. Fold in Chocolate: Gently stir in the semi-sweet chocolate chunks and milk chocolate chips to evenly distribute them throughout the batter.
6. Transfer and Bake: Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish using a rubber spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 30 minutes, until the edges are set but the center remains slightly underbaked and gooey.
7. Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before lifting them out using the parchment paper. Let them cool completely on a wire rack, then slice into bars and serve. Enjoy your delicious Congo Bars!

Notes

• Make sure the butter and eggs are at room temperature for proper mixing and texture.
• The center of the bars should remain slightly underbaked and gooey for the best chewy texture.
• You can substitute chocolate chunks and chips with your preferred chocolate varieties for different flavors.
• Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Congo Bars, chocolate chip bars, cookie bars, chocolate chunks, easy dessert, chewy bars, baked bars