Chocolate Chip Brownies

• semi-sweet chocolate chips↗1

  12 ounce

• butter or margarine↗1 cup

  2 sticks

• walnuts, toasted and chopped↗1 cup

  optional

• eggs↗4
• sugar↗1 1⁄2 cups
• vanilla↗2 teaspoons
• all-purpose flour↗1 1⁄4 cups
• salt↗1⁄2 teaspoon

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Place 3/4 cup of the chocolate chips and the butter in a saucepan on very low heat, and stir, until melted, being careful not to scorch.

2. 2

   Allow melted chocolate to cool to room temperature.

3. 3

   Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

4. 4

   Spread walnuts (optional) on a baking sheet (if not already toasted), and bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes; remove pan from oven and allow nuts to cool before chopping.

5. 5

   Mix together eggs and sugar in a large mixing bowl; stir in vanilla and salt.

6. 6

   Sift flour, and add in small portions to egg, mixing well after each addition, until thoroughly blended.

7. 7

   Stir in cooled chocolate and mix well; then fold in chopped nuts (if using).

8. 8

   Add remainder of chocolate chips (about 1 1/4 cups) to the batter and stir well.

9. 9

   Pour batter into a greased 9x11-inch pan and spread evenly.

10. 10

    Bake at 325 degrees for approx 25-30 minutes, then allow brownies to cool in the pan on a wire rack.

11. 11

    Makes approx 15 brownies, depending on size preference.