Congo Squares (Old-Fashioned Recipe)

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Congo Squares are a sweet treat that will bring back childhood memories. These chocolate chip cookie bars are easy to make and sure to impress your family and friends. You can whip up a batch of Congo Squares in just 40 minutes, with only 15 minutes of prep time.

The recipe uses simple ingredients like brown sugar, eggs, flour, and chocolate chips. You’ll mix the wet and dry ingredients, add in some walnuts and chocolate chips, then bake the bars in a 9×13-inch pan. The result is a gooey, chocolatey dessert that’s perfect for sharing.

Exact Ingredients List

Here’s everything you’ll need to make these yummy Congo squares:

• 3/4 cup shortening (or butter)
• 1 pound packed light brown sugar
• 3 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips

Make sure you have all these items ready before you start baking. It’s always a good idea to measure out your ingredients ahead of time.

The shortening or butter will give your squares a nice texture. You can pick whichever you prefer or have on hand.

Don’t forget to pack the brown sugar tightly when measuring. This helps get the right amount and keeps your squares sweet and moist.

The walnuts add a nice crunch, but you can leave them out if you don’t like nuts. You can also swap them for pecans if you want to try something different.

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab a 9×13-inch baking pan and grease it well with non-stick spray or butter.

In a big bowl, mix the shortening and brown sugar. Beat them until they’re smooth. Now, add the eggs one at a time. Beat for 3 minutes after each egg. Then, stir in the vanilla.

Get another bowl. Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together. Add this dry mix to your sugar mixture. Gently stir until it’s all combined.

Time for the fun part! Add the walnuts and chocolate chips. Stir them in well.

Spoon your dough into the greased pan. Spread it out evenly.

Pop it in the oven for 28 minutes. When it’s done, let it cool a bit. Once it’s cool enough to touch, cut it into squares.

Serve and enjoy your tasty Congo squares! They’re perfect for sharing with friends and family.

Possible Substitutes List

You can easily swap out some ingredients in Congo Squares to suit your tastes or dietary needs. Here are some options:

Fats:

• Butter instead of shortening
• Coconut oil for a tropical twist

Sugars:

• Dark brown sugar for a richer flavor
• Coconut sugar as a less processed option

Flours:

• Whole wheat flour for added fiber
• Gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for gluten-free squares

Mix-ins:

• Butterscotch chips instead of chocolate chips
• Pecans or almonds in place of walnuts
• Shredded coconut for extra texture

Flavor boost:

• Add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg
• Use almond extract instead of vanilla

Feel free to play around with these swaps. You might find a new favorite combo! Just keep the amounts the same as in the original recipe. This way, your Congo Squares will still turn out yummy and have the right texture.

How To Make It Diabetes-Friendly

You can make these Congo squares more diabetes-friendly with a few simple swaps. Try using a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit sweetener instead of brown sugar. This cuts down on carbs and calories.

Replace half the all-purpose flour with almond flour or whole wheat flour. This adds fiber and nutrients. You can also reduce the amount of chocolate chips by half.

For the shortening, use a healthier option like coconut oil. It has medium-chain triglycerides that may help manage blood sugar levels.

Here’s a quick list of diabetes-friendly changes:

• Sugar substitute instead of brown sugar
• Mix of almond or whole wheat flour with all-purpose flour
• Less chocolate chips
• Coconut oil instead of shortening

These tweaks will lower the carb count and glycemic index of your Congo squares. Remember to watch your portion size too. Cut the squares smaller to help control your blood sugar.

Even with these changes, the squares will still be yummy. You’ll get that classic taste with less worry about your blood sugar levels. Enjoy your treat in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Tips, Tricks & Storing

For the best Congo Squares, use room temperature ingredients. This helps them mix better. Make sure to beat the eggs one at a time for 3 minutes each. This creates a lighter texture.

Don’t overmix the batter when adding the dry ingredients. Stir just until combined. Overmixing can make the bars tough.

Try different mix-ins! Swap the walnuts for pecans or use milk chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet. You can even add dried fruit for extra flavor.

Let the squares cool completely before cutting. This makes cleaner slices. Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts.

Store your Congo Squares in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for up to 5 days. For longer storage, wrap them well and freeze for up to 3 months.

To reheat, pop a square in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. You’ll get that fresh-baked taste again!