Congo Bars - A Blast from the Past

Oh how we loved congo bars!  I really don't know the derivation of the name; but nonetheless, these bars were a childhood favorite!  I had forgotten about them until I was perusing my Mom's recipes in order to compile a cook book of her favorites.  So, for the first time in many moons (ages really!), I am making these chocolate chip blondies!  Some congo bars/squares recipes include coconut; I am guessing that since my sisters and I didn't really care for coconut as children, Mom left it out.   I love coconut now and think it would be equally as good with coconut as it is without! These are so yummy that I am going to have to either hide them from myself or give them away as gifts!

INGREDIENTS:

1 ½ sticks margarine, melted

1 box light brown sugar

3 eggs

2 ¾ cups flour

2 ½ teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup chopped nuts

1 large package chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:

Melt margarine and pour over sugar. 

Stir to combine and cook slightly.

Add eggs, one at a time and mix to combine.

Add dry ingredients and blend well.

Add vanilla, nuts, and chocolate chips.

Pour in a greased 10x14” pan

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.
Cool and cut into bars or squares.