Thursday, March 6, 2014

Congo Squares

My great grandma had this recipe in her recipe box for years.  I needed a birthday treat I could wrap up individually and thought about these.  It's like a chocolate chip cookie in a bar and easy to make.

Congo Squares

Congo Squares

2-3/4 cups flour
2-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup shortening
2-1/2 cups light brown sugar
3 eggs
1 cup nuts, coconut, and/or chocolate chips.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In small bowl mix together dry ingredients.

 Melt shortening (do not get too hot!) Add to mixing bowl with sugar and eggs and beat until mixed.
 Add dry ingredients.
 Mix until there isn't any flour.  It will be thick like cookie dough.
Add in your extras.  I only used chocolate chips here but would enjoy nuts added to mine also.
Dump into greased 10x15" jelly roll pan.  Use a roller or your fingers to spread.
On one half I sprinkled M and Ms and lightly pressed them in.  I like to see color and if you add them to your dough they will be too covered to see.
Put in the oven and bake for 20-22 minutes.  Any longer and they will more like crunchy cookies on the edge.  I like mine soft so will only cook them 20 minutes next time. 
Cut into squares (thus the name) or rectangles if you like. 
Serve with a big glass of milk!



21 comments:

  1. Sweet! I have a few of my grandmother's recipes too. I always think of her when I make them. Bar cookies and drop cookies are our favorite kinds to make.

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    1. I have the recipe box with all her handwritten recipes. Sure miss that lady! <3

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  2. our grandchildren would love this recipe. How wonderful that you knew your great gran. Thank you for sharing your sweet blog at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop ♥

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    1. My daughter met her too, so she knew her great grandma. :D Pearl was her name and she lived to be 100!

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  3. Now these look delicious … think I will make these for my next birthday party!!!! I love giving baked goods!
    Jessica from www.sparklesandglue.com

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    1. Change up the chips to suit your favorite flavor and/ holiday colors!

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  4. Thank you for coming to our link party @ www.KicthenDreaming.com I hope to see you again next week!

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  5. I love recipes that are shared from generation to generation! Yum :)

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  6. Found your blog on Kitchendreaming link party..This looks so delicious!

    my blog - http://priyakitchenette.blogspot.in/

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  7. Jenny - these are looking soooooooooooooo GOOD
    They simply would last long with my family :)

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  8. G'day! I'm ready to do the Congo...oh that's Conga, but could surely go for one of these now!
    Cheers! Joanne
    http://whatsonthelist.net

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  9. Dear Jenny, I love how simple and sweet these are! This is a treat that is right up my alley. I cannot wait to give it a try. Have a happy St. Patrick's Day. Blessings, Catherine xo

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    1. Thanks for chosing them as host favorite, even though I wasn't eligible!! <3

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  10. Ooh these look so good! I was thinking about chocolate chip cookie bars the other night! I have to try these :)

    Toodles,
    Tammy<3

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  11. These sound delicious and love that you could use coconut in them, which is still one of my all time favorite ingredients for cookies and desserts. Thanks for sharing :)

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  12. Congo bars and a glass of milk. What could be more delicious?
    Thanks for sharing.
    Shari

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  13. Jenny, my mom used to make congo squares and we LOVED them. I totally forgot about this recipe till now but it is a great one. Pinning!

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