Sunday, February 11, 2007

Congo Squares

Don't ask me why these guys are called Congo Squares, it's a recipe my mother made while I was growing up and was never questioned. Why are cookies called cookies?

I have made batches with butterscotch chips in place of chocolate and found the results to be highly satisfying.

Oh, and they're best eaten fresh from the oven--but of course you knew that.

2 ¾ c flour
2 ½ t baking powder
½ t salt
2 ¼ brown sugar
2/3 c shortening
3 eggs
2 t vanilla
1 package chocolate chips

Mix the flour, baking powder, salt and brown sugar in a large bowl. In a small pan on the stove or in a glass bowl in the microwave, carefully melt the shortening and add it to the dry ingredients. Stir the mix well and let it cool slightly. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla then add chocolate chips. Spread the batter in a lightly greased 9x13 pan and bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes.

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Today is the last day to enter the Write-Away Contest, the winner will be posted on Wednesday February 14th.

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17 comments:

Robin said...

*drooling all over my laptop*

My mother called those congo squares too! No idea why though. They look fantastic - I can't imagine why they ever dropped out of my repertoire. Must remedy that. Soon.

Robin from Israel

The Late Bloomer said...

OK, you're totally putting me in the mood to bake something today, although I don't know that I have everything I would need to do so... These look delish!

(Maybe I can scrounge together the ingredients for a lemon pound cake, but we'll see...)

Thanks so much for your e-mail, by the way, and for your tips. I'm really enjoying making my way around your blog -- and I loved your list about why you blog! It inspired me in more ways than one. You and Jenn over at NPLI are definitely inspirational women who balance so much.

I'm trying to take it one day at a time, so the coding and the complicated bits may just have to come later on.

Oh, and I have to get the short comments thingie down pat -- I have some progress to make, I know!

Geekwif said...

Oh, that sounds so good! I think I'll make a batch with chocolate for my hubby and one with butterscotch for me. Yummy!

Anonymous said...

Not enough of a baker to know... can I substitute unsalted butter for the shortening? (shortening?.... shudder) These look great! Besides the shortening part, lol.

Heather said...

Those sound SO GOOD! The ingredients are something we all have on hand at most times anyways, but I've never put them together like that. I'm just upset I'll have to wait until tomorrow cause I'm making so much food for my son's b-day today. DARN! Maybe I can squeeze them in there somewhere... Thanks for sharing the recipe!

K T Cat said...

Yummy! We might try these today. It's one of those rare, drizzly days here in San Diego, so best not go outside. We might get moist! Better to stay inside and bake treats.

:-)

Scribbit said...

Usually fats like butter, margarine and shortening can be substituted but they'll have slightly different tastes. You can't substitute "spread" for butter or margarine though.

Inkling said...

We decided that looked like a good thing to try for dinner tonight. Eggs count as protein, and we don't yet have children who need us to be stellar examples. =) So we did, and my husband is enjoying his warm congo bars as we speak. Thanks for sharing the recipe!

Susan from Food Blogga said...

Cookie names are so great! My favorite has always been Hello Dolly. Never heard of congo squares but sure would like to taste one of yours!

Nicole said...

And just why didn't you put the calorie or fat count on there? HUH????? Ha. I'm sure I don't want to know. So PLEASE DON'T post them. I want to enjoy them.

Lisa said...

Ohhhh. That looks SO FREAKING GOOD! Excuse me while I modify my grocery list for tomorrow.

(My mouth is actually watering...)

Lisa said...

Can't remember if I told you this but I voted for you on the Share the Love awards...

Go Scribbit! :-)

la bellina mammina said...

sounds yummy - somthing to try this weekend! Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Oh hell yeah! I love a yummy hot cookie/bar recipe. Its just the thing on these cold days and nights- thanks!

Amy said...

YUMMY! Those look wonderful! I am going to have to try that recipe- thanks a bunch!

Anonymous said...

lost my recipe for congo squares-
found several afer entering search
yours sounds closest
First heard of these when I was a child in Tuscaloosa, AL, in late 1950's. The minister's wife always made them and everyone called them Mrs. Davenport's cookies.
Thanks

Anonymous said...

I guess it must have been a mom thing in the late sixties, early seventies. I have a recipe card from my mom's recipe box, too, called, "LaRae's Congo Bars". It is the exact same recipe. Fun to find this connection of a recipe that maybe went around thirty to forty years ago reappearing in a new medium.