Congo Bars

I've been making a lot of bars lately. I made these for my younger brother, who left for a couple of days to visit a college--his first time away from home alone. I really didn't want to eat one because I wasn't feeling very good, but the instant reactions from my family (first my brother, who freaked out because it was so good, then my dad who agreed, then my mom who finally tried it and was all "THIS IS SO GOOD THIS IS THE BEST EVER" which is really good coming from her) I had to try and I agree, they are very good! I had no problem with this recipe and it was very easy. I left out the walnuts and let them cool for about 20-30 minutes before cutting them. Warm, they were delicious. I bet they'd still be AMAZING at room temperature, too, which I wanted to try but had to resist.

I'm definitely going to be making these when I get back to college. I'm pretty sure that two of my favorite people would absolutely love these!

Not sure who keeps up with my blog--but does anyone have anything they want me to try baking? Or any ideas? I have an endless amount of recipes that I want to try, but I guess I'd like some input on what you might want to see. I am definitely trying to take advantage of being at home and having all of my mom's baking utensils, and supplies are only a 5 minute car drive away instead of a 15 minute or more bus ride.

Congo Bars
Recipe from bakerella

2 3/4 cup all purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup butter, softened
1 lb. light brown sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
11.5 ounce package milk chocolate chips
1 cup chopped pecans (optional)

By mixer:

Sift flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Set aside.
Combine butter and sugar using a mixer until blended.
Add eggs, one at a time to sugar mixture, mixing on low in between each addition.
Add vanilla and mix.
Add flour and mix until combined.
Stir in chips and then pecans.

By hand:

Sift flour, baking powder and salt into a large bowl. Set aside.
Stir brown sugar into softened (not melted) butter in another large bowl until butter disappears. You can use the back of your spoon to help incorporate the two together.
Add eggs one at a time to butter mixture and stir well after each egg.
Add vanilla, chocolate chips and nuts. Mix well.
Add dry flour mixture and stir until well combined.

Coat a 13 X 9 pan with non-stick spray and spread batter evenly into dish.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until top is golden brown. Make sure you don’t over bake.