Ultimate Brownies

Description
Makes about 36 brownies.

Ingredients

 * 1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine
 * 2 cups sugar
 * 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
 * 4 eggs
 * ¾ cup cocoa
 * 1 cup all-purpose flour
 * ½ teaspoon baking powder
 * ¼ teaspoon salt
 * 1 cup chocolate chips
 * 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Directions

 * 1) Heat oven to 350 °F.
 * 2) Grease 13x9x2-inch baking pan.
 * 3) Place butter in large microwave-safe bowl.
 * 4) Microwave at high (100%) 2 to 2½ minutes or until melted.
 * 5) Stir in sugar and vanilla.
 * 6) Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well.
 * 7) Blend in cocoa.
 * 8) Add flour, baking powder and salt; beat well.
 * 9) Stir in milk chocolate chips and nuts, if desired.
 * 10) Pour batter into prepared pan bake 30 to 35 minutes or until brownies begin to pull away from sides of pan.
 * 11) Cool completely in pan on wire rack.
 * 12) Cut into bars.