Chocolate Brownies

Brownies are typically flat, square or bar shaped. It is a cross over between a cake and a cookie. It is dense, rich, and chocolatey.

They can be made with different optional ingredients. Such as nuts, chocolate chips, frosting, or glaze. Brownies was born in the U.S. around 1893. The first known brownies appeared to have an apricot glaze with nuts. It is easy to make and fun to eat. It can be a great after school snack for the kids.
The dry ingredients can be mixed and stored in a tight container. Whenever you want brownies all you would have to do is add the wet ingredients since the dry ingredients are already pre-made. My favorite brownies would consists of nuts, but since I do not have any nuts on hand, I used dark and white chocolate chips which I had.

If using a glass pan, you would have to lower the baking temperature by 25°. Metal and glass pan differs. Glass pans gets hotter than metal therefore, the cooking is faster. The baking time will stay the same.
To tell if the brownies are done baking, the top will appear dry and the middle will set. Or use a toothpick. Sometimes a tooth pick can ruin the appearance. So I opt to use the dry top, set middle technique. Similar to all my past recipes, some adjustments were made. But you can find the original recipe at Nestle Toll House.
2/3 cup vegetable shortening
1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
1 cup chocolate chip of your choice (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 325° F (for glass pan). Grease 13 x 9-inch baking pan.

2. Cream together shortening, sugar, and eggs. Add vanilla.

3. Combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl. Gradually beat the four mixture in the shortening mixture. Stir in the nuts and/or chocolate chips. Pour into prepared baking pan.

4. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on wire rack before cutting.