Deirdre's Chocolate Lovers Brownies

A good friend of mine sent this recipe to me with the note:

I have tried dozens of brownie recipes over the years and I finally got one that has the right flavor and the right consistency. Many thanks to Deirdre Christman for this fool-proof (it worked for me!) and easy one..

Whenever I need to bake something in a hurry I always make these brownies, because they are so easy and so good.

2 sticks of unsalted butter
4 squares of unsweetened chocolate
2 cups sugar (you may like a tad less)
4 eggs (if they are jumbo use only 3)
1 cup flour
pinch salt
½ teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup walnuts (optional)

Melt butter and chocolate slowly in a pot large enough to hold all of the ingredients. Cool slightly then add sugar and then beat in one egg at a time. Then add vanilla and all of the rest of the ingredients, mixing enough just to blend the flour. (Sometimes I replace the chocolate chips with either peanut butter chips, raspberry chips, or mint chips. The latter two I often find in the grocery store around Christmas.)

Spread evenly into a greased 9 by 13 pan and bake in a pre-heated 350 degree oven for 25 minutes.

Cool several hours before trying to cut or remove from pan.