My mother-in-law used to make these brownies for her young family and they are the first thing my husband recalls making by himself. Over the years the recipe fell out of use in the family and we thought it was lost. Bill searched the Internet to no avail. After his mom died, we found the recipe among her effects and Bill has shared it with his siblings. In Sealed Off, Vee makes the brownies and brings them to dinner at the Snowden's, which is entirely appropriate because, like Vee, my mother-in-law ran a B and B in Maine and was an excellent cook and baker.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large saucepan, melt butter. Remove from heat. Stir in cocoa until it mixes completely, then stir in sugar until it mixes completely.
Add the 5 eggs one at a time, stirring each in before you add the next.
Add the vanilla, flour, baking powder, and salt, stirring each one before adding the next. Stir in the nuts, if desired.
Bake in a greased 13 x 9 pan for 30 to 35 minutes.
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