Five years ago I found this recipe in a magazine and was attracted to the golden nugget macadamia nuts + chocolate + caramel. It sounded out of this world. Grammie, who visited from Fort Wayne, Indiana every year, might like these. I brought a tin to my mom’s house and I remember her smile when she tasted them. I’ve made these each Christmas ever since. I hope you like them.
They are bars so let’s prepare the first layer for this Macadamia Nuts Congo Bars Recipe.
Take your graham cracker crumbs and melted unsalted butter. Mix together.
Mix well.
Make your bottom layer in a 9×13 pan. I line the pan with non-stick alumni foil (love that stuff) so I can lift the creation out of the pan to cut. You could also use parchment paper.
Next, layer. Chocolate Chips.
Next layer. Coconut.
You can roast in the oven some unsalted Macadamia Nuts or find these at Trader Joes. They come roasted, saving you a roasting step.
Looking good.
Now it is time for the caramel. Mix together your sugar, salt and cream of tartar.
Add you water.
Stir the sugar and water around. Then…
Crank that heat up.
Make sure you have a candy thermometer handy, you are going to need it soon.
Let the sugar and heat do their thing. No touchy.
Once the boiling sugar turn golden stir and add your thermometer.
Right before 300, I turn off the heat and get ready to add the cream.
Be careful friends, this stuff is violently hot. Liquid Napalm.
Stir the sugar and cream together. Do not use a metal spoon. The spoon gets really hot and well…. let’s just say don’t be like me.
Okay the magic has unfolded. We have caramel, and I did not get burned. Grammie is watching over me in a big way.
Drizzle the Macadamia Nut layer with the caramel.
The extra I put in a mason jar to use later, maybe on an ice cream sundae. Keep it in the fridge and heat-up what you need whenever the caramel mood hits you.
Bake to the bars. Bake these Macadamia Nuts Congo Bars for 20 minutes in a 350 oven.
Once done, let them cool. I put them in the fridge to set up.
Get out your best knife and slice away.
They are delicious. These ones are for you Grammie.
The others will be gone before you know it.
- 6 cups unsalted roasted macadamia nuts
- 1 one-pound box graham crackers
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 10 ounces bittersweet chocolate chips
- 1½ cups packed sweetened shredded coconut
- Caramel for Cookies below
- Carmel Ingredients
- 4 cups sugar
- ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup water
- ½ cup heavy cream
- Heat oven to 350 degrees.
- {TO ROAST NUTS - Spread macadamia nuts on a baking sheet, and bake until golden, about 10 minutes. Set baking sheet on a wire rack to cool.}
- Line an 11-by-18-inch baking pan with parchment paper or nonstick aluminum foil. Using a food processor or rolling-pin, finely crush graham crackers. Place in a medium bowl. Stir in melted butter.
- Press mixture into the bottom of prepared baking pan in an even layer. Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the graham crackers. Sprinkle the coconut over the chocolate chips. Sprinkle the reserved nuts over the coconut. Drizzle caramel over macadamia nuts.
- Bake until golden, about 20 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack to cool. Cut into ¾-by-1¼-inch pieces.
- For Carmel
- Combine sugar, cream of tartar, salt, and ⅓ cup water in a wide, heavy-bottomed saucepan, with sides at least 3 inches high. Place over high heat. Let cook, without stirring, until sugar begins to melt and turn golden, about 5 minutes. Turn heat to medium; continue to cook, stirring occasionally, deep golden, and a candy thermometer reads 300 degrees.(hard-crack stage). While stirring, carefully pour cream slowly down the side of the pan (stand back slightly from the stove, as the cream may cause the caramel to sputter). When cream is incorporated, remove from heat; transfer to a heat-proof bowl. Use immediately.
Welcome, dear friends! Within these virtual walls, I delight in sharing with you my most cherished discoveries - This is where we relish in the latest skin care tips and tricks for those over 40, savor different cuisines, and uncover other discoveries. 
Dang these look beautiful. God bless your Grammie.
Save one for me, or else make a run to re-fill the cookie jar – – pronto.