Congo Bars

If you are a lover of chocolates as I am, you are sure to love these delightful desserts. These can be considered a cross between chocolate chip cookies and brownies. I know there are those who call these blondies or blondie bars, because they are blond in color unlike the brown of the brownies. But whatever the name that you choose to call it by, these are delicious to taste.

Recipe source:Rachael Ray
Ingredients:
2& 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 &1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup butter, softened
2& 1/4 cups brown sugar
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond extract, optional
1 and 1/2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips or peanut butter chips or butterscotch chips or M&M
1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut, toasted
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Makes 32-35 bars
Method:
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Sift the flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Set aside. Combine the butter and sugar using a mixer until blended. Add the eggs, one at a time, to the sugar mixture, mixing on low in between each addition. Add the vanilla and mix. Add the flour and mix until combined. Stir in the chips ,nut and coconut.
Coat a 9-inch x 13-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray and spread the batter evenly into the dish.( If you prefer you can  sprinkle 1/2 to 1 cup chocolate chips on top).  Bake for 20 -25 minutes, if you prefer chewy bars or you can  cover the top with foil to avoid over-browning. Bake for another 10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out with moist crumbs. You will think they are under-done, but they aren't. Make sure you don’t over bake!