Growing up this recipe was the go-to item my mother made when we went to picnics. Sometimes paired with the secret potato salad recipe, these treats rolled up with us in the single door 1987 Dodge Caravan. In the sea of chocolate brownies, often Betty Crocker mixes (no shade) these always stuck out in just the right way. None ever came home with us.
In the UK the first sign of good weather is often “Spring Bank Holiday”. This is the first weekend of May, and I could not miss the first opportunity for these to make an appearance at our first cookout of the season. (Yes, I made the potato salad too)
The recipe is interesting as it was called “Congo Bars” or “Kongo Bars” growing up. This name is so odd because there is nothing in them that remotely depicts Congo or African culture. I suppose it is possible that someone got vanilla extract from the region, but it remains a mystery name of ignorance to me today. A google search suggests a swanky Vegas hotel served them and started the craze, but nothing worthy of hanging my hat on. If someone else knows for sure where the name comes from, you let me know.
For now, I will call them Super Summer Blondies. They are similar to what I know of as a Blondie, but they are much chewier and taste so much better in my opinion. The preparation is more like brownies than cookies, but with more ingredient overlap.
Anyway, I share with you the not-so-secret family recipe, and the item I also tend to bring to a picnic. Where I am US ex-pat living in the UK, I have tried to blend my UK and US baking measures.
Super Summer Blondies
- 3/4 Cup / ~ 170 grams Salted Butter
- 1 Pound / 2 1/3 cup / 450 grams Light Brown Sugar
- 3 Eggs
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 2 2/3 cup All Purpose Flour
- 2 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
- 1 tsp Salt
- Chocolate Chips
- US: 6 oz semi-sweet chips like Toll House
- UK: 170 grams dark baking chocolate chips (70% cocoa)
- You will need a 13inch x 9 inch / 33cm by 22.9cm pan
- Preheat your over to 350F / 180C / 160C Fan
- Melt the butter, but ensure it is not so hot it will cook the eggs.
- In a large bowl, beat the melted butter together with the light brown sugar, eggs and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
- In another bowl mix the flour, salt and baking powder.
- Pour the flour in 3 parts into the large bowl with the butter/sugar mixture. Fully combine each part before adding the other part.
- Mix in the chocolate chips till completely distributed
- Lightly grease a 13inch x 9 inch / 33cm by 22.9cm pan.
- Pour and spread the thick mixture into the pan. Ensure you get it as even as possible.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes, checking for doneness with a toothpick.
