White Chocolate Bars

6 ounces coarsely chopped white chocolate or 3/4 cup high-quality white chocolate chips
5 Tablespoons unsalted butter
2 large eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup unbleached flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Grease a 9 x 9-inch baking pan with butter. Dust with flour. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Melt the white chocolate and butter in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly to make sure it doesn't burn. Remove from the heat before it is completely melted and continue stirring until it is completely smooth. Set aside to cool.

Beat the eggs, sugar and vanilla together in a large bowl until smooth. Add the white chocolate mixture and mix until well combined.

Measure the flour, baking powder, and salt and sift together directly into the batter. Mix until well combined and no trace of the dry ingredients remains. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan with a spatula.

Bake for 25 minutes or until the top is light brown and cracked. Turn off the oven, leaving the pan inside for 8 more minutes. After that time, a toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean or with only crumbs, not batter on it.

Remove from oven and let cool on a rack for 1 hour. Cut just before serving.

Makes 12 to 18 bars.