2/3 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar packed
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup nut chopped
Powdered sugar or frosting of your choice
Coat an 8- or 9-inch square microwavable dish or 9-inch microwavable pie plate with non-stick spray.
Place butter in a medium microwavable bowl. Microwave, uncovered, at 100% power (700 watts) 20 to 30 seconds until softened. Stir in sugar and brown sugar until blended. Add eggs and vanilla and beat until well blended. Add flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt and stir just until moistened. Stir in nuts. Spread batter evenly in dish.
Place dish on an inverted small microwavable plate in microwave oven. Microwave, uncovered, at 100% power for 5 1/2 to 7 minutes until a wooden pick inserted in center and in corners comes out clean, rotating dish one-fourth turn every 2 minutes (after 5 1/2 minutes of total cooking, check every 30 seconds).
Cover dish with wax paper and cool on a wire rack 10 minutes. Remove wax paper and cool brownies completely.
To serve, sprinkle with powdered sugar or frost. Cut into bars.
