Brownies

1/2 cup plus 1 Tablespoon cocoa
3 Tablespoons oil
2/3 cup shortening
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)


Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 9X13 pan. Melt chocolate, shortening, and oil in large saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat. Stir in remaining ingredients one at a time. Spread in pan. Bake 25 minutes or until brownies start to pull away from the sides of the pan. Cool slightly. Dust the tops with powdered sugar or cool completely and frost with chocolate frosting. Enjoy!