3 or 4 sq. unsweetened chocolate
1/2 c. butter (one stick)
1/2 c. vegetable shortening
2 tsp. instant coffee powder
4 eggs
1/2 tsp. salt
2 c. sugar
1 tbsp. vanilla
1 c. sifted flour
1/2 c. chocolate chips
1 c. chopped nuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter 13x9-inch baking pan. Melt butter, shortening and chocolate together over low heat. Mix together and let cool. Stir in coffee powder.

Beat eggs with salt. Add sugar slowly and beat until very light. Stir in chocolate mixture and vanilla. Add flour all at once and mix just until smooth by hand. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts. Bake 40 minutes. Cut into squares while hot. Brownies are scrumptious as is, but you may want to completely captivate your gang by serving them frosted.

CHOCOLATE FROSTING:

2 tbsp. butter
1 sq. unsweetened chocolate
2 tbsp. warm water or milk
1 tbsp. vanilla
2 c. sifted powdered sugar
Pecan or walnut halves

Melt butter and chocolate together over low heat. Stir in water and vanilla. Remove from heat and stir in sugar until smooth. Frost cooled brownies and top each with nut halves.