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Congo Bars | 7 Layer Bars

These congo bars, also known as 7-layer bars, include a graham cracker base and sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chip, shredded coconut, and pecan topping. And they taste like childhood, too.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Additional Time
2 hrs
Total Time
2 hrs 40 mins
Servings: 12 16 bars
Calories: 297 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

For the crust
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour plus more for the pan
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup Graham cracker crumbs (from about 10 whole crackers)
  • 1/3 cup light brown sugar
  • 7 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature, plus more for the pan
For the topping
  • 1 1/4 cups sweetened flaked coconut
  • 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup milk chocolate chips
  • 3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
  • 1/3 cup chopped pecans or any other nut you fancy if desired

Instructions

Make the crust
    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (176°C). Butter an 8-by-8-inch or 9-by-9-inch baking pan, dust with flour, and tap out the excess.
  2. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Stir in the graham cracker crumbs and light brown sugar and mix well.☞ TESTER TIP: You can make the graham cracker crumbs in the food processor, or do it the old-fashioned way by putting whole crackers in a resealable plastic bag and crushing them with a rolling pin.
  3. Work the butter into the crumb mixture with your hands until the crumbs are evenly coated with buttery goo. Spread the crumb crust in the prepared baking pan, pressing down gently with your hands. You don't want to make the crust too dense or compact. Bake for 10 minutes, or until the crust is slightly golden. Remove from the oven and let cool while you make the topping. Oh, and leave the oven on.
Make the topping and assemble the congo bars
  1. While the crust is cooling, mix together the coconut, both chocolates, and the condensed milk. Add the pecans or other nuts, if desired. Spread the mixture evenly over the warm crust. Return to the oven and bake for 20 to 23 minutes, or until the top is set and light brown. Watch carefully toward the end of the baking time to make sure the top doesn't become too bubbly or dark.
  2. Let the pan of bars cool on a wire rack for 2 hours or so, until the chocolate is no longer soft and they slice easily.☞ TESTER TIP: Don't learn the hard way that the bars really do need to rest a while before slicing. They're simply too gooey to devour right away...unless you simply dig in with a spoon.
  3. Cut into whatever size or shape you fancy.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1bar Calories 297kcal (15%) Carbohydrates 34g (11%) Protein 3g (6%) Fat 17g (26%) Saturated Fat 10g (50%) Monounsaturated Fat 5g Trans Fat 0.3g Cholesterol 25mg (8%) Sodium 294mg (12%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 25g (50%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 1216 bars

Amount Per Serving

Calories 297

% Daily Value*

Serving 1bar
Calories 297kcal 15%
Carbohydrates 34g 11%
Protein 3g 6%
Fat 17g 26%
Saturated Fat 10g 50%
Monounsaturated Fat 5g 25%
Trans Fat 0.3g 15%
Cholesterol 25mg 8%
Sodium 294mg 12%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 25g 50%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.