Congo Squares may have an interesting, catchy name, but it actually masks how much simple goodness is packed into each bar of sweetness. These are, essentially, brown-sugar blondies, loaded with rich chocolate chips and crunchy walnuts. They’re baked to a wonderful golden-brown and then eaten, delivering huge smiles all around! No need to travel to another continent to enjoy a great dessert when these Congo Squares are simple, sweet, and ready for the snacking!
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more, to taste, for dusting the pan
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2/3 cup unsalted butter, melted and warm
- 2 1/4 cups light brown sugar, packed
- 3 eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2 –Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan, then lightly dust the greased pan with the extra flour.
Step 3 –In a medium bowl, add the remaining 2 cups of the flour, the baking powder, and the salt and whisk to combine. Set it aside.
Step 4 –In a large mixing bowl, add the melted butter and the brown sugar and mix to combine.
Step 5 –Allow the butter-sugar mixture to cool slightly.
Step 6 –Add the eggs, 1 at a time, to the butter-sugar mixture and beat until combined before adding the next egg.
Step 7 –Add the vanilla to the egg mixture and mix to combine.
Step 8 –Add the dry ingredients mixture to the egg mixture and mix well to combine.
Step 9 –Add the chocolate chips and the walnuts to the batter and stir to combine.
Step 10 –Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it out evenly.
Step 11 –Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 35-40 minutes. If the edges start to brown too quickly, cover the pan with foil.
Step 12 –Allow the squares to cool in the pan until ready to slice.
Step 13 –Slice into squares and serve.
