Decadent Chocolate Pecan Congo Bars
Indulge in these rich and chewy Chocolate Pecan Congo Bars, a delightful twist on traditional cookie bars. Bursting with the deep flavors of dark brown sugar and rich semisweet chocolate, combined with the crunchy texture of coarsely chopped pecans, these bars are perfect for sharing at gatherings or enjoying as a sweet treat during the day. Baked to golden perfection, they are a wonderful addition to any dessert table and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
18
Servings
150
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
all-purpose flour
2 1/4 cups (sifted)
baking powder
2 1/4 teaspoons
salt
1 teaspoon
unsalted butter
8 tablespoons (at room temperature, plus more for greasing)
dark brown sugar
1 1/2 cups (firmly packed)
pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon
large eggs
3
pecans
1 cup (coarsely chopped)
semisweet chocolate
2 1/2 cups (finely chopped (12 oz))
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Lightly butter a 9- by 13-inch glass baking dish, using reserved butter wrapper to ensure an even coating, and set aside.
3
In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt, then set aside.
4
In a large mixing bowl, use a wooden spoon to beat the butter and dark brown sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, approximately 2 minutes.
5
Add the vanilla extract and eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully integrated.
6
Gradually add the sifted flour mixture to the butter mixture, stirring until just combined without overmixing.
7
Fold in the chopped pecans and finely chopped semisweet chocolate until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
8
Transfer the dough to the prepared baking dish, and use the reserved butter wrapper to spread it out evenly.
9
Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
10
Once done baking, remove the dish from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for approximately 20 minutes.
11
Using a serrated knife, cut into 18 bars measuring 2 1/4 by 3 inches.
12
Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Information
7.5g
Fat
20g
Carbs
1.67g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Decadent Chocolate Pecan Congo Bars?
They are a rich and chewy dessert bar featuring dark brown sugar, semisweet chocolate, and crunchy pecans, baked to golden perfection.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes 18 bars, each measuring approximately 2 1/4 by 3 inches.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each bar contains approximately 150 calories.
What oven temperature is required for baking?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
What size baking dish should I use?
You should use a 9- by 13-inch glass baking dish.
How do I prepare the baking dish?
Lightly butter the dish using a reserved butter wrapper to ensure an even coating.
What is the fat content per bar?
Each bar contains 7.5g of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in a single bar?
There are 20g of carbohydrates per serving.
What is the protein content of these bars?
Each bar provides 1.67g of protein.
How much semisweet chocolate is needed?
The recipe calls for 2 1/2 cups of finely chopped semisweet chocolate (12 oz).
Should the flour be prepared in any special way?
Yes, the 2 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour should be sifted before mixing.
How long should I beat the butter and sugar together?
Beat the butter and dark brown sugar for approximately 2 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
What type of sugar is best for this recipe?
The recipe specifies using 1 1/2 cups of firmly packed dark brown sugar for deep flavor.
How many eggs are required?
You will need 3 large eggs.
How should the pecans be prepared?
You should use 1 cup of coarsely chopped pecans.
What is the recommended baking time?
Bake the bars for about 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
How do I know when the Congo bars are done?
The bars are done when a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
How long should the bars cool before cutting?
Let the dish cool on a wire rack for approximately 20 minutes before slicing.
What is the best way to cut the bars?
Use a serrated knife to cut the dish into 18 evenly sized bars.
How should I store leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature.
How long will these bars stay fresh?
They can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Should the butter be at room temperature?
Yes, the 8 tablespoons of unsalted butter should be at room temperature for proper creaming.
What kind of vanilla extract should I use?
The recipe recommends using 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract.
Can I use baking soda instead of baking powder?
The recipe specifically calls for 2 1/4 teaspoons of baking powder; substitutions may affect the texture.
How do I avoid overmixing the dough?
Gradually add the flour mixture and stir until just combined before folding in the nuts and chocolate.
What is the purpose of the butter wrapper?
The reserved butter wrapper is used to grease the dish and to help spread the thick dough evenly.
Is there any salt in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe includes 1 teaspoon of salt sifted with the flour.
Are these bars suitable for parties?
Yes, they are described as a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and are perfect for gatherings.
What category of dessert is this?
These are classified as Bar Cookies.
Are there specific nutritional details for fiber or sodium?
Specific data for fiber, sugar, sodium, and cholesterol are not provided for this recipe.