BROWNIES

  4       (1 ounce) squares  unsweetened chocolate
     2/3           cup  shortening
  2               cups  sugar
  4                     eggs
  1           teaspoon  vanilla
  1 1/4           cups  all-purpose flour*
  1                cup  chopped nuts, if desired
  1           teaspoon  baking powder
  1           teaspoon  salt
                        Glossy Chocolate Frosting -- (recipe follows)
                       
                        GLOSSY CHOCOLATE FROSTING
  3       (1 ounce) squares  unsweetened chocolate
  3        tablespoons  shortening
  2               cups  powdered sugar
     1/4      teaspoon  salt
     1/3           cup  milk
  1           teaspoon  vanilla
     1/2           cup  finely chopped nuts, if desired

Heat oven to 350º. Grease baking pan, 13 × 9 × 2 inches. Heat chocolate
and shortening in 3-quart saucepan over low heat until melted; remove from
heat. Stir in sugar, eggs and vanilla. Mix in remaining ingredients.
Spread in pan.

Bake until brownies begin to pull away from side of pan, about 30 minutes.
(Do not overbake.) Cool slightly; spread with Glossy Chocolate Frosting
(see recipe), if desired. Cool completely; cut into bars, about 2 × 1 1/2
inches.

GLOSSY CHOCOLATE FROSTING:

Heat chocolate and shortening over low heat until melted. Stir in powdered
sugar, salt, milk and vanilla; beat until smooth. Place pan of frosting in
bowl of ice and water; continue beating until smooth and of spreading
consistency. Stir in nuts.