Congo Bars

LOVE this new recipe I found! I have made these a ton already--because it is nice to throw in one batch of cookies and not have to stand in front of hot oven for hours making dozen after dozen of traditional cookies. Summers here in TX are HOT! So this recipe allows me to feed my addiction to baked goods while not heating up my kitchen too much :) Not to mention these are thick and moist!

Congo Bars

(somewhere on the web, but can't remember where!)

2 3/4 c. flour

2 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

2/3 c. softened butter

1 lb. (2 c. packed) light brown sugar

3 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

12 oz. milk chocolate chips

1 c. chopped pecans (optional)

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.

Coat a 9 X 13 pan with nonstick 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.

(Last night I made these AGAIN and used M & M's instead of chocolate chips and nuts!)