Congo Squares or pan cookie bars have a buttery and chewy texture. They are thick and chocked full of rich, semi-sweet chocolate chips, pecans, and coconut. Absolutely divine!
I’ve always loved to bake. At 8 I was making desserts by myself. At 10 I’d clip recipes out of Better Homes and Gardens and Southern Living. I still have those clippings. Some I’ve never made and some are old favorites. This recipe was clipped out of an old newspaper article. It’s so old and tattered I can barely read it. I don’t know why I haven’t re-written it at some point over the years.
What are Congo Bars?
Congo Bars are a mixture of butter, brown sugar, eggs, flour, chocolate chips, coconut, and nuts. They are thick like pan cookies or blondies.
I prefer them served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. However, you choose how you like to eat the best!
Congo Bars have basic ingredients that you probably already have on hand.
How to Make Congo Squares
- Whisk the dry ingredients in a medium bowl.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat together the melted butter and brown sugar. Add the eggs, one at a time and mix until the yolk is incorporated. Add the in vanilla extract and beat until combined.
- Fold in the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts.
- Grease and flour a 10×15-inch baking pan or a 9×13-inch baking pan. If using 10×15 pan, bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes. If using a 9×13 pan, bake for 35-40 minutes.
Can I substitute ingredients?
I recommend you use real butter, always. As well, for this recipe, I would not change the base ingredients.
- I never have great success substitute gluten-free flour. Therefore, I don’t have a recommendation for that change.
- However, you can substitute the chocolate chips for semi-sweet, dark chocolate, or even white chocolate. Just use the same amount.
- You may also use almonds, walnuts, or another nut for the pecans.
- Finally, You can omit the coconut and not replace it with another ingredient if you don’t like coconut.
Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary based on products used.

Congo Squares
Want to save recipes? Create an account or login & then you can use the “Save Recipe” button when viewing a recipe to save it to your Recipe Box. You can access your saved recipes on any device and generate a shopping list for recipes in your collections.
Save To Your Recipe BoxEquipment
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup butter recommended
- 2 and ¼ cup brown sugar firmly packed
- 3 large eggs at room temperature
- 2 and ¾ cup all-purpose flour I use this
- 2 and ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla I use this
- 1 cup pecans chopped, I like this brand
- 1 and ½ cup chocolate chips semi-sweet, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or white
- 1 cup shredded coconut optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 9x13* inch baking pan with non-stick spray. (See notes above.)
- Beat together butter and sugar in a large bowl of an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time. Beat well.
- Sift the flour, baking powder and salt together and add to the batter. Beat well. Add the vanilla, nuts, chocolate chips, and coconut. Mix until fully combined.
- Transfer to the prepared pan. Bake until lightly browned on the edges, about 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool. Cut into squares and serve with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post contains affiliate links. If you click the link and make a purchase I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. Visit all my recommended products at Paula’s Picks on Amazon. Read my entire Privacy Policy here.
You can also find great recipes here or at Meal Plan Monday

Michelles Tasty Creations says
Thanks so much for linking up this yummy recipe to Creative Thursday this week. I can’t wait to see what you link up next week. Have a great day.
Michelle
Michelles Tasty Creations says
OMG you're killing me! If I could reach through my computer screen I would totally steal this right now and eat it for breakfast. nom, nom, nom. I'm going to add you to my list of places I like to visit on my blog so others can find your wonderful blog too 🙂
Michelles Tasty Creations says
I am SOOOOO glad you friended me on Tasty Kitchen so I could find your wonderful blog. (I'm not actually a stalker lol) but your blog is amazing and you have delicious recipes that I'm going to print out now!
Have a great weekend.
Michelle