Friendship Brownies

This recipe comes from a book entitled: Farm Journal's Choice Chocolate Recipes.
After trying them several years ago, they became my favorite brownie recipe.

Friendship Brownies

1 1/2 c sifted flour
1/2 cup baking cocoa
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt (I cut this down to 1/2 tsp.)
1/3 cup butter or margarine
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Sifted confectioners sugar (optional)

I sometimes add chocolate or peanut butter chips as an option.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 9" x 13" baking pan and set aside.

Sift together flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
Cream together butter and sugar in bowl until light and fluffy using electric mixer at medium speed.
Add eggs, one at time, beating well after each addition.
Blend in vanilla.
Stir in dry ingredients. Stir well. Add an options. Stir well.
Spread in greased baking pan and bake 30 minutes or until done.
Cool on rack.
Dust with confectioners sugar, if desired. Cut into squares.