Meghan's Brownies

1/4C butter
1 C semi sweet chocolate chips
3/4C sugar
 2/3 C flour
1/2 t vanilla
1/4 t baking powder
1/4 t salt
 2 eggs
1/2 C chopped nuts, optional
1/2 C chocolate chips, optional

Grease bottom only of square pan (8x8) with shortening. Heat butter and 1 C chocolate chips in saucepan over low heat stirring constantly until melted. Remove from heat, stir remaining ingredients except nuts and choc. chips until smooth. Stir in nuts and choc. chips. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 min. or until center is set.