Congo Squares - A Tate Family Bar Cookie Tradition

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Congo Squares - 1954

In 1954, the Tate family lived in Pendleton, SC. I can almost smell the congos in the oven. We loved to gather round and "lick the bowl" while they baked! Mama always made congos for church picnics, long trips in the car to visit relatives, and of course at Thanksgiving and Christmastime.

Note: "Lick the bowl" involved using a long wooden spoon to scrape the bowl of unused dough and eating it -- yes, uncooked!

mellisa pynn art

Congo Squares - 1974 

By 1974, I had a little family of my own. We lived in Wagener, SC. And yes, I always made Mama's Congo Squares for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. And yes, they were still good -- and my children loved to "lick the bowl"! My children learned, as we had, that they could more easiy have the long sticks of end pieces after cutting -- and save the pretty pieces for company!

Do you have everything you need to make some good congos? 

Baker's Edge Nonstick Edge Brownie Pan

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Simply Calphalon Nonstick 6-Piece Bakeware Set

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SilverStone Simply Baking Cookie Pan Set

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Congo Squares - 2004 

In 2004 we attended the Tate Family Reunion in Helen, Georgia. My granddaughter attended with us for the very first time. What fun! And yes, again I made congo squares! And they were almost as good as they were when mama made them back in 1954!

The Recipe for Congo Squares 

This recipe is taken from The Tate Table, a family cookbook created by my sister, Betty Tate DeLorme, and presented to the family in 1983. The first page reads:

When we think of home...
We cannot help but think
of the kitchen table..
Over the years, all the
laughter and fun...
And always...
Bountiful food.

CONGO SQUARES
Wish I had a nickel for every one I've eaten! Mama's recipe from Pendleton Treasures... Becky Tate

2 3/4 cups sifted flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup shortening or margarine
2 1/4 cups brown sugar (1 Lb box)
3 eggs
1 cup nut meats (pecans), broken
1 package semi-sweet chocolate morsels (small bag)

Mix and sift flour, baking powder and salt. Melt shortening and add brown sugar. Stir until well mixed. Allow to cool slightly. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add dry ingredients, then nuts, and chocolate bits. Pour into greased pan about 10 1/2 x 15 1/2 x 3/4. Bake at 350 degrees, 25 to 30 minutes.
Yield - 48 squares. When almost cool, cut into squares approximately 2 x 2.

(Joan says not to forget to "pat 'em down" about halfway through the baking process.)

2008 - My personal notes about congos! 

Read and heed!

You have to be in a hurry to make these work. In a hurry, busy, but happy! I am serious! The dough knows!

The dough is very heavy. Mama taught me to wet my hands and pat the dough into the pan.

When they are about half done, open the oven door, grab the rack and lift it about a half inch, and let it drop. This will cause the congos to fall, and make them ever so chewy and good.

I use self rising flour now and omit the baking powder and salt. If I cannot find that small bag of chocolate chips, I use about a cup of chocolate chips. It works out just fine.

I remember it all with this little chant Mama taught me.
"Melt butter, add sugar, beat well, let cool. Add eggs one at a time." I still - to this day - say that as I bake congos! I am sure there was more of it, but that is the part I remember!

In my notes, mama has written -- "tee hee - take it easy on intake - very fattening!"

ADDENDUM: I think in our modern age, all flour is pre-sifted, so you do not have to worry about that anymore. I did not realize that the recipe calls for "sifted" flour until I read your delightful comments. Thank you!

What Does a Congo Square Look Like? 

Good question, Julie! Thank you!

A congo square is just a variation of a brownie -- a bar cookie - a fancy variation. I will look for some pictures of one, but -- I have never had them around here long enough to take a picture! They disappear really really fast! A congo is a light brown brownie with pecans and chocolate chips!

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Celebrating! 

This lens was Lens of the Day on July 28, 2008 as winner of the Squidoo Activists bake sale. $100 was donated to Heifer International. Thank you, Squidoo!


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More Recipes from The Tate Girls 

Are you going to make some congos this week? 

I love to read your comments. Thank you for visiting!

Heather426 wrote...

well there goes my diet! sounds yummy, I will try it for sure.

ReplyPosted July 03, 2009

ChapelHillFiddler wrote...

what a riot! will DEFINITELY make them but probably not this weekend as we will be maxed out on wedding cake tastings! thanks for sharing, some people hide their best recipes away and keep them super-secret.

ReplyPosted June 19, 2009

Lensmaster

MARI wrote

Hey my Grandma made these & I'd lost the recipe. Enjoyed your page. Only thing my Gram did was use vanilla extract. Just a little but, everything else the same. I'm making them now and intend to feel ill later as I will definately eat a lot of batter. Thanks for sharing! Mari : )

Reply Posted June 14, 2009

spirituality wrote...

Great lens - you've been blessed by a squidoo angel :)

ReplyPosted May 15, 2009

stargazer00 wrote...

Congo squares sound yummy! I'd love for you to submit this recipe lens to my Hungry Squidz Choice Group.

ReplyPosted February 09, 2009

TheGreenerMe wrote...

Great work on this delicious looking lens! These sound incredible!

ReplyPosted January 14, 2009

Lensmaster

Lynne Sumerel wrote

I'm going to make some of these...leave them for Santa But then again we may eat all of them before he comes! Thanks for the receipe.

Reply Posted December 18, 2008

Joan4 wrote...

in reply to OhMe Wish I could get some to you! Mine are better this year than ever!

ReplyPosted November 27, 2008

OhMe wrote...

It's Thanksgiving and I don't have any Congo Squares. BooHoo.

ReplyPosted November 27, 2008

Jamie2258 wrote...

They sound wonderful , I'll have to try them! Thanks :)

ReplyPosted November 22, 2008

ClaudetteKeith wrote...

*5 TO YOU.
GREAT LENS. I will try them.

Claudette

ReplyPosted November 16, 2008

Margo_Arrowsmith wrote...

This lens is how I first found the Tate family! *****

ReplyPosted November 13, 2008

rms wrote...

Thank you for this fine addition to the Cute ittle Cupcakes and Tasty Treats group!

ReplyPosted November 11, 2008

emmalarkins wrote...

Yum! You're making my mouth water. Never heard of it before, but it sounds worth a try!

ReplyPosted November 05, 2008

rms wrote...

This delicious recipe lens is being featured at www.cabaretsquidoo.com today!

ReplyPosted October 28, 2008

Jewelsofawe wrote...

I have never heard of a congo square. Thanks for the comment on my blog. Don't you have a blog? I am trying to find it and put a link to it on my blog, but I can't find it. Unless you don't have one.

ReplyPosted October 23, 2008

kiwisoutback wrote...

I just added this lens to our chocolate chip cookies lens! Nice work, I'd love to try these out.

ReplyPosted October 23, 2008

awelldressedbullet wrote...

What a wonderful lens, thank you so much for sharing such special family moments and a special family recipe with us! - Kathy

ReplyPosted October 21, 2008

Lensmaster

Kate wrote

Hey Joan, nice lens! 5 star all over!

Kate
Morocco villa.

Reply Posted October 13, 2008

stargazer00 wrote...

Boy do these sound good! I had never heard of them before. I think I've been missing something!

ReplyPosted October 04, 2008

Lensmaster

Lou wrote

I have just made and eaten my first congo bars. They are great and so easy to make. That's the important part. Thanks for sharing. I am sure these will become a tailgate favorite!

Reply Posted September 24, 2008

vbright105 wrote...

Oh yum! I was just checking out recipes in the dessert contest...(I can't vote, sorry) but that won't stop me from making these! Encore! Encore!

ReplyPosted September 16, 2008

lakeerieartists wrote...

This one is a new one on me! Welcome to the Comfort Food Group.

ReplyPosted September 15, 2008

SemperFidelis wrote...

Congo Squares? Hmm, can't imagine what one smells like! lol Nice lens Joan.
Blessed, 5-starred, and favorited by a Squid Angel today! :)
Colleen ~ www.squidoo.com/squid-angel

ReplyPosted September 04, 2008

ElizabethJeanAllen wrote...

I never heard of congo squares but they sound good so we're going to try them.
Great lens.
Lizzy

ReplyPosted September 03, 2008

Susan52 wrote...

I really, really need to make these! Can I be in your family? You have the best recipes and the best reunions. So much fun!

ReplyPosted August 23, 2008

Stazjia wrote...

I've never heard of congo square, I don't think we have them here in the UK but I think I'll try making them. Great lens.

ReplyPosted August 23, 2008

poutine wrote...

Love to read about family stories. Those bars sure sound yummy....but fattening....

Poutinje

ReplyPosted August 23, 2008

sisterra wrote...

Great lens! I love Congo bars.

ReplyPosted August 17, 2008

KimGiancaterino wrote...

Welcome to Culinary Favorites From A to Z. I'll add you to our LOTD section next time I update.

ReplyPosted August 13, 2008

chef_filipina wrote...

Very informative.
Great lens. Rated it 5 stars.
Feel free to visit http://pinoyfoodtaste.blogspot.com/
Nothing can be more delicious. Cook it to your home!

ReplyPosted August 07, 2008

TheInfamous7 wrote...

Brilliant Joan!! Congrats on the LOTD and thankyou for introducing me to a New Dessert!! :-) I shall try making some and tell you how they go down in the UK :-) x x

ReplyPosted August 05, 2008

starlitparlit wrote...

Congratulations on Lens of the Day. Congo Squares sound so yummy. I can't wait to try out the recipe. This is the first time that I ahve heard of them.

ReplyPosted August 05, 2008

bbug wrote...

I can't wait to give this recipe a try. Great job 5*

ReplyPosted August 03, 2008

Tiddledeewinks wrote...

Congratulations on LOTD! I remember my mother-in-law making Congo squares way back.

ReplyPosted August 02, 2008

ArtByLinda wrote...

Congrats on lens of the day, I am going to have to try these congo squares! It is the first I heard of them. Linda

ReplyPosted August 02, 2008

Squidster wrote...

Hmm, sounds yummy, I might have to try this recipe (and let my boys lick the bowl)! Brings back memories of childhood.

ReplyPosted August 02, 2008

alicesy wrote...

Excellent Lens. I like the quality insight you have provided here about Congo Squares - A Tate Family Tradition. Keep up the good work.

Please check out my Police Jobs Blog.

ReplyPosted July 31, 2008

Lensmaster

Laura wrote

My beloved ex-mother in law makes these. I always loved them. She got the recipe from your mama years ago. i havent made any or thought about them in years, but think I might make some this weekend.

Reply Posted July 31, 2008

Lakota429 wrote...

Yummy!!!! These have always been one of my favorites! Congrats on LOTD!! 5 stars! Well-deserved! Would love it if you came on over for a visit...Annie~

ReplyPosted July 31, 2008

Rob3 wrote...

Excellent lens! Congratulations on LOTD. I had not heard of Congo Squares before, but I would love to try them sometime. 5*

ReplyPosted July 31, 2008

TLC33 wrote...

Congrats on LotD! I must try some of these, they sound so yummy. 5 stars for a great lens!

ReplyPosted July 31, 2008

PatinKC wrote...

Congratulations!! Great Job.

ReplyPosted July 31, 2008

Lensmaster

RapidFire wrote

Greetings from Malaysia! Great to learn about a new food! We Malaysians love eating and we can find eateries open all night long. Great job with LOTD

Reply Posted July 30, 2008

pizzatherapy wrote...

Incredible. How something so simple can taste so good. Its more than just the congo squares. It's the love baked inside.
albert grande
pizzatherapy.com

ReplyPosted July 30, 2008

Joan4 wrote...

Oh I loved seeing that some of you remembered eating congo squares! and no, Mike, I was not aware of the New Orleans part of this. I feel sure that is where the recipe came from. My dad's folks were from Georgia and we are all South Carolinians. Those old recipes do get passed around! Thank you for adding that story! I have always wondered about the name, Congo Squares.

ReplyPosted July 29, 2008

Pastiche wrote...

Congrats on LOTD - and for publishing the recipe for one of my childhood faves. 5*s, and can't wait to bake a batch.

ReplyPosted July 29, 2008

Lensmaster

Mike Artell wrote

FYI: I'm a native New Orleanian and Congo Square is a famous area of the city on Rampart Street. African-American slaves would congregate and play music in Congo Square on Sundays and the music they created served as the basis for many of the rhythms and chants that are still a part of N'awlins music.Wikipedia has a good description. Apologies is y'all already knew this info.

Reply Posted July 29, 2008

Lensmaster

entertaininstyle wrote

Congrats on LOTD. I can't wait to try Congo Squares...as soon as I figure out non-gluten, non-dairy version. :>))

Reply Posted July 29, 2008

KarenKay wrote...

WOOT! Wtg my "Moon" friend!
Congrats on lotd and winning the contest.
You're an awesome lady!
Hugs,
KK

ReplyPosted July 29, 2008

 
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