Favorite Brownies

½ cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup flour

¼ cup cocoa powder*

1 tsp baking powder

¼ tsp salt

½ cup chocolate chips

½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350° and grease an 8 x 8 inch baking pan (or line with parchment). [For a 9 X 13 inch pan, double the recipe.]

Cream butter in a large bowl, then beat in sugar until fluffy.

Stir in egg and vanilla.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.

Add flour mixture to egg mixture gradually, stirring well. (The batter will be very thick, like cookie dough.)

Incorporate the chocolate chips and walnuts, then spread the mixture evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean (melted chocolate is okay).

 Allow to cool completely before removing from pan and cutting.

*For a darker, richer chocolate flavor, use half dutch-processed cocoa powder and dark chocolate chips.