Virginia Brownies - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
8 tablespoons cocoa
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup soft shortening (I melt 2 sticks butter and stir in)
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup nuts, chopped (optional)

Preparation

Combine all ingredients. Stir until smooth. Spread dough into a greased 9x13\" pan and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.
FUDGE FROSTING: Combine 1 c sugar, 1/4 c cocoa, 1/4 c cream or whole milk, 1 1/2 Tbsp butter in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and stir with a whisk until the mixture just begins to thicken. Cool to room temp before frosting brownies.