{"id":1365,"date":"2022-07-20T12:58:57","date_gmt":"2022-07-20T16:58:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/howtomakeeasycookies.com\/?p=1365"},"modified":"2023-01-18T16:11:36","modified_gmt":"2023-01-18T21:11:36","slug":"congo-bars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/howtomakeeasycookies.com\/congo-bars\/","title":{"rendered":"Congo bars"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Thick, ooey, gooey Congo bars filled with melty chocolate are an easy classic cookie to whip up! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"blondie<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What are Congo bars?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Congo bars are similar to \"blonde brownies,\" or \"blondies.\" They are like chocolate chip bar cookies with brown sugar, and extra egg, and extra chocolate for ooey gooey greatness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Typically, these blondies also have walnuts, but my kids are picky about such things. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"blonde<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Why are they called Congo Bars? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are multiple theories why these are called Congo Bars, which have no direct association with Africa. One such theory is that the name refers to the same semi-mythical \"Congo\" that inspired the Congo Room in Vegas. Another theory is that mothers and grandmothers made the bars to send to their soldiers in Vietnam's Congo. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the '80s, the US army developed chocolate bars that melted at a high temperature to send to soldiers as rations, dubbed the \"Congo Bar.\" However, this post dates the popular lunch box favorite. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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more amazing cookie bars!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We are the go-to site for BAR COOKIES<\/a><\/strong>! Here are more delicious recipes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"sweetened<\/a>
Oreo bars <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"raspberry<\/a>
raspberry cookie bars<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"chocolate<\/a>
chocolate peanut butter bars <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

TOOLS YOU'LL NEED FOR THE BLONDIES RECIPE <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To make these bar cookies, you'll need a 9 x 13-inch baking dish<\/a><\/strong>. I usually recommend metal pans for cookies, but as I don't own a good metal pan this size, I used my handy glass baking dish. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Line your baking dish with parchment paper,<\/a><\/strong> lightly sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While our recipes provide both the metric and non-metric amounts, for best results, we recommend a  digital scale<\/a><\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I use an oven thermometer<\/a><\/strong> for accuracy. (This is how I know my oven runs 25 degrees cold.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"cookie<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

VARIATIONS for THE BARS <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are several ways to personalize this Congo Bars recipe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • Stir in 1 to 2 cups of toasted coconut before baking. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Instead of 2 cups of light brown sugar, try using 1 cup each of light and dark brown sugar. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Here, I use semi-sweet and milk chocolate chips. Feel free to mix up the chocolate and try dark chocolate or even white chocolate chips. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Stir in 1 cup of coarsely chopped walnuts when adding the chocolate chips. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
    \"congo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    STORING BAR COOKIES<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Store your cookies in an air-tight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. You may also store in the refrigerator to earn a couple extra days. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"chocolate<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    PRINTABLE RECIPE <\/h2>\n\n\n\n