"The Best" Brownies

I like this recipe because it uses vegetable oil and cocoa powder; especially good for those times when I don't feel like melting butter or chocolate! 

Source: Hershey's Cocoa Cookbook, 1979.

1/2 cup vegetable oil or melted butter (I sometimes use coconut oil)
3/4 cup sugar (originally 1 cup, but I like to use less sugar)
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
1/2 cup unsifted all-purpose flour
1/3 cup cocoa (i like using dark cocoa)
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

1. Heat oven to 350F. Grease 9-inch square pan. (I used an 8-inch square pan).
2. In a large bowl, combine oil, sugar, and vanilla. Add eggs. Beat well with a spoon. If you love a crispy top, just beat the batter as much as possible after adding the eggs and before adding any other ingredients. 
3. Combine flour, cocoa, baling powder, and salt; gradually add to egg mixture until well blended.  Stir in nuts. Spread in pan.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until brownie begins to pull away from edges of pan. Cool in pan. Cut into squares.

Makes 16 brownies.