Congo Bars – Step into my kitchen, where today we’re going to whip up a mouthwatering batch of Congo Bars! These bars are a delight combining butter, golden brown sugar, and a double dose of chocolate. They’re the treat, for any occasion with their gooey center and crispy edges that will leave everyone begging for seconds. Whether you need a dessert fix or want to make something for a gathering these Congo Bars are guaranteed to make a lasting impression.
I still vividly remember the first time I made these Congo Bars. It was during a weekend family get-together when the irresistible scent of baking chocolate filled our kitchen creating an inviting and warm atmosphere. As soon as they had cooled down enough to eat my husband and our little one couldn’t resist grabbing a piece. Needless to say, they were a hit! Since then these bars have become a staple in our household—perfect for snuggling up on movie nights or whenever we could use a little pick me up.
What makes this Congo Bars truly special?
What truly sets these Congo Bars apart is not only their flavor but also how incredibly easy they are to prepare. With 10 minutes of prep time required, they are a perfect choice, for busy bakers who still crave homemade goodness. The combination of sweet and milk chocolate creates a decadently rich taste that appeals to chocoholics of all ages. Furthermore, the texture of these bars is absolutely amazing achieving a harmony, between chewy and crispy. Whether you have experience in baking or are just getting started with it these Congo Bars will definitely leave an impression, with their recipe, decadent chocolate flavor, and irresistible texture.
What You Need To Make This Congo Bars Recipe?
Butter (Room Temperature): Room-temperature butter forms the base of our Congo Bars lending a smooth consistency to the batter. It effortlessly combines with the sugar resulting in a fluffy foundation.
Brown Sugar (Packed): Packed brown sugar brings more, than sweetness to the table. Its molasses content adds depth and richness giving these bars a caramel undertone.
Eggs (Room Temperature): Using room-temperature eggs is a technique in baking for achieving a uniform batter. They emulsify better leading to a tender texture throughout each bar.
Vanilla Extract: A tablespoon of vanilla extract may seem generous. It’s precisely the amount to enhance the chocolate flavors and introduce a layer of aromatic sweetness.
Kosher Salt: A pinch of salt works wonders by enhancing all the flavors and striking a balance with the sweetness of the chocolates and sugar.
Baking Powder: Baking powder acts as our leavening agent ensuring that your bars rise adequately while maintaining their density.
All-Purpose Flour: All-purpose flour serves as the backbone of our bars. It provides enough gluten to hold everything while keeping their texture pleasantly soft.
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chunks: Semi-sweet chocolate chunks steal the show, in our Congo Bars. When they melt they create pockets of gooeyness that beautifully contrast with the dough.
Milk Chocolate Chips: Milk chocolate chips, being smaller, in size compared to chunks impart a burst of chocolate goodness, in every bar. They create a medley of chocolate flavors that gracefully dance on your taste buds.
Steps To Make Congo Bars:
Step 1: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Make sure to line and grease your baking dish.
Step 2: In a bowl cream the butter and brown sugar until it becomes light and fluffy.
Step 3: Add the eggs, vanilla, salt, and baking powder gradually while making sure to scrape the sides of the bowl.
Step 4: Gently mix in the flour incorporating it slowly into the mixture.
Step 5: With care and affection fold in the chocolate chunks and chips.
Step 6: Spread out the dough evenly in the pan. Bake it to perfection for 30 minutes. Remember that a lusciously gooey center is what makes Congo Bars exceptional!
Step 7: Allow some time for the bars to cool slightly before slicing them. Serve them up. Savor their disappearance!
Tip:
For a burst of flavor and added crunch consider toasting the flour before incorporating it into your Congo Bar mixture. By heating the flour in a skillet, over medium heat until it takes on a beautiful golden hue (typically around 5 to 7 minutes) you can enhance its taste with a subtle nutty undertone. This simple technique elevates the flavor profile of your Congo Bars making them all the more distinctive and irresistible. Just remember to allow the toasted flour to cool completely before blending it with ingredients to ensure that the texture of the dough remains intact. This delightful twist adds a gourmet touch, to your Congo Bars!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate?
Sure! You can definitely use dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate if you prefer a richer more intense chocolate taste.
How do I store leftovers?
To store any leftover bars simply place them in a container at room temperature. They should stay fresh and delicious for a week.
Can I freeze Congo Bars?
If you have Congo Bars and want to save them for later freezing is an option. Just make sure to wrap them before placing them in the freezer. They can be kept frozen for, up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy them let them thaw at room temperature before serving.
Congo Bars
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
Description
Indulge, in the world of baking with these Congo Bars, a recipe that combines simplicity and decadence. Each bar is a blend of flavors featuring room-temperature butter and luscious brown sugar with a caramel-like taste accompanied by the subtle sweetness of vanilla. The essence of these bars lies in the use of both semisweet and milk chocolate creating a delightful dual chocolate experience that melts in your mouth. Baked to perfection until golden these bars offer a contrast between their crispy edges and their irresistibly gooey center. Suitable for any occasion these Congo Bars are not only a treat, for your taste buds but a celebration of the simple pleasures found in homemade baking.
Ingredients
1 c (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature
2 c brown sugar, packed
3 large eggs, at room temperature
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 tsp kosher salt
2 tsp baking powder
2 1/2 c all-purpose flour
1 1/2 c semi-sweet chocolate chunks
1 c milk chocolate chips
Instructions
Before you start make sure your oven is preheated to 350°F (175°C).
Take a 9×13-inch baking dish. Line it with parchment paper. Lightly grease the dish.
To prepare the batter grab a bowl. Cream together the butter, at room temperature with the packed brown sugar until it becomes fluffy.
Next add in the eggs, vanilla extract, kosher salt and baking powder. Mix everything well.
Gradually incorporate the all-purpose flour into the mixture until it is just combined.
Now it’s time to fold in both the sweet chocolate chunks and milk chocolate chips.
Transfer the batter into your baking dish. Make sure to spread it out evenly.
Place your dish in the oven. Bake for approximately 30 minutes. You’ll want to see set edges while keeping a slightly gooey center.
Once done baking let the bars cool, in their pan for 5 minutes.
After cooling down cut them into bars to be served and enjoyed!
Notes
For all the gluten-free enthusiasts out there, transforming these delectable Congo Bars into a gluten-free treat is wonderfully simple! Replace the all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free flour blend – one that’s designed for a 1:1 substitution works best. Look for a blend that incorporates ingredients like rice flour, tapioca flour, and xanthan gum, which will help mimic the texture and structure of traditional flour. Also, double-check that your baking powder and chocolate chips are labeled gluten-free, as some brands may have hidden gluten content.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
My name is Natasha and I am the owner of nodashofgluten.com, a blog dedicated to all kinds of recipes. On my website, you can find classic dishes, vegetarian delights, creative snacks, Gluten-free recipes, and desserts – all proving that cooking isn’t as hard as it seems! With easy-to-follow instructions and tips on how to make your meals even better, I strive to help everyone become master chefs in their own kitchen. Come join me at nodashofgluten.com for some delicious fun!
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