5.0 from 12 votes
Congo Bars
Soft, chocolate gooey, and chewy, these good old-fashioned lemon infused Congo Bars are going to knock your socks off! Similar to a blondie in texture, they are jam-packed with chocolate chips, a lovely walnut crunch, and are taken to the next yummy level with a touch of lemon zest!
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 24
Calories: 254 kcal
Course:
Dessert
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- ¼ cup butter room temperature
- 2 cups brown sugar packed
- 3 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¾ cup walnuts chopped
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- To begin, preheat your oven temperature to 350°F (177°C) before you begin the recipe so that it’s ready to go! Then line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Add the butter, light brown sugar, eggs, vanilla, and lemon zest to a large mixing bowl. Then beat everything together until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Then add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix until the flour is well incorporated.
- Fold in the walnuts and chocolate chips making sure to distribute them evenly.
- Spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Transfer the pan to the oven and bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Cool in pan then transfer to a cutting board. Cut the cookies into bars and serve.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Higher quality unsalted butter and chocolate chips are going to produce richer, better tasting cookie bars.
- The butter needs to be soft and the eggs should be at room temperature so that the dough binds together properly.
- Allow the cookie bars to cool in the pan before cutting them into squares. They need this time to set so that they don’t fall apart.
- Store
- in an airtight container for about
- or for about a
- . To warm them up, you can put them in the microwave for about 15 seconds or in the toaster oven for about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Quality ingredients matter. Higher quality unsalted butter and chocolate chips are going to produce richer, better tasting cookie bars.
- Room temperature ingredients. The butter needs to be soft and the eggs should be at room temperature so that the dough binds together properly.
- Cool on the pan. Allow the cookie bars to cool in the pan before cutting them into squares. They need this time to set so that they don’t fall apart.
- Store in an airtight container for about 3 days at room temperature or for about a week in the fridge. To warm them up, you can put them in the microwave for about 15 seconds or in the toaster oven for about 2 to 3 minutes.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1square
Calories
254kcal
(13%)
Carbohydrates
37g
(12%)
Protein
4g
(8%)
Fat
11g
(17%)
Saturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
Monounsaturated Fat
3g
Trans Fat
0.1g
Cholesterol
26mg
(9%)
Sodium
40mg
(2%)
Potassium
183mg
(5%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
23g
(46%)
Vitamin A
99IU
(2%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
49mg
(5%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 24Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 254
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1square | |
| Calories | 254kcal | 13% |
| Carbohydrates | 37g | 12% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 11g | 17% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Trans Fat | 0.1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 26mg | 9% |
| Sodium | 40mg | 2% |
| Potassium | 183mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 23g | 46% |
| Vitamin A | 99IU | 2% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 49mg | 5% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.