Cake Brownies
Makes 16 brownies

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup shortening
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
2/3 cup flour
1/2 cup cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped, optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x9-inch square pan. Mix sugar, shortening, vanilla and eggs. Add remaining ingredients and mix. Add walnuts, if using, and mix. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in center.