Ingredients:

• For the mix :
• 3 cups Sugar
• 2 cups flour
• 1.33 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup sour Milk (1/4 cup Milk + 1 tbsp Vinegar or butterMilk)
• 1/8 pinch baking soda
• 1 cup vegetable shortening (or 1/2 cup Butter and 1/2 cup margarine)
• To make the brownies :
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla essence or Orange extract
• 4 tbsp melted Butter or margarine
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Method:

1. To prepare the mix:
2. Put all the ingredients, except the shortening, in a large bowl.
3. Mix with a spoon until uniformly blended. Cut in the shortening, using either a pastry blender or your fingertips, until the mixture looks like chocolate cornmeal.
4. This makes 8 cups of mix – enough for 4 pans of brownies.
5. Seal tightly in a plastic bag or jar and store at room temperature.
6. To make the brownies:
7. Put the eggs and vanilla essence in a mixing bowl and beat slightly. Stir in the butter.
8. Lightly spoon two cups of the mix into the mixing bowl. Do not pack the mix when measuring.
9. Beat well with a spoon to make a somewhat smooth batter and stir in 1/2 cup chopped nuts, if using.
10. Spread onto a greased and floured (8 x 9 x 2 inch) pan. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 350 degrees F for 30 to 35 minutes or until a knife inserted in the centre comes out clean.
11. Cool in the pan, then cut into squares.