Brownies

2 oz unsweetened chocolate
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla extract
2/3 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Melt chocolate and shortening together. Cool slightly. Mix sugar with eggs. Stir chocolate mixture into eggs gradually. Add vanilla. Mix dry ingredients, stir in nuts, add to chocolate mixture. Spread batter in a greased 8x8 square pan.

Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes or until crust is shiny and brownies begin to shrink from pan.