These Congo Bars (also known as “blonde brownies” or blondies) are the ultimate chewy, caramel-flavored treat.1 By using a high ratio of brown sugar and a mix of semi-sweet chunks and milk chocolate chips, you get a deep, toffee-like base that stays soft and gooey in the center long after they’ve cooled.

 

Congo Bars
Ingredients:
THE BASE AMOUNT
Butter, room temperature 1 cup (2 sticks)
Brown sugar, packed 2 cups
Eggs, room temperature 3 large
All-purpose flour 2 1/2 cups
LEAVENING & FLAVOR AMOUNT
Vanilla extract 1 tablespoon
Baking powder 2 teaspoons
Kosher salt 1 teaspoon
THE CHOCOLATE AMOUNT
Semi-sweet chocolate chunks 1 1/2 cups
Milk chocolate chips 1 cup
How To Make Congo Bars:
Step 1: Prep the Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F.2 Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang on the sides for easy lifting.3 Grease the parchment and the sides of the pan with nonstick spray.

 

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the 1 cup of butter and 2 cups of brown sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.

 

Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients: Add the 3 eggs, vanilla extract, salt, and baking powder. Mix until well combined, making sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula so no streaks of butter remain.4

Step 4: Incorporate Flour and Chocolate: Reduce the mixer to low speed and gradually add the 2 1/2 cups of flour. Mix just until the flour disappears—overmixing will make the bars tough.5 Use a sturdy spoon or spatula to fold in the 1 1/2 cups of chocolate chunks and 1 cup of milk chocolate chips.

Step 5: Bake: Transfer the dough into the prepared pan and spread it into the corners using a rubber spatula.6 Bake for 30 minutes. The edges should be set and golden, but the center should still look slightly underbaked.

Step 6: Cool and Slice: Let the bars cool in the pan for 5 minutes.7 Use the parchment paper “handles” to lift the entire block out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Slicing them while cold ensures clean, even squares.