1-First Step: Melt the butter and white chocolate Place the 10 tablespoons of unsalted butter and 6 ounces of chopped white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 20-second increments, stirring well between each round, until the mixture is smooth. Take your time here because white chocolate can seize if it gets too hot too fast. A gentle melt gives you a silky batter and a better final texture.

2-Second Step: Whisk the eggs and sugar In a separate bowl, whisk together the 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar, 2 large eggs, and 1 large egg yolk. Whisk vigorously until the mixture turns pale yellow. This usually takes about 30 seconds with a whisk or 15 seconds with an electric mixer. This step matters because it helps make the tops shiny and slightly crackly.

3-Third Step: Add the vanilla and melted chocolate mixture Stir the 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract into the egg mixture first. Then add the melted butter and white chocolate blend and mix until everything is fully combined. The batter should look smooth and glossy at this point. If you see a few small streaks at first, keep stirring gently until they disappear.

4-Fourth Step: Mix the dry ingredients In another bowl, whisk together the 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon baking powder. Add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix just until the flour disappears and the batter looks thick and even. Try not to overmix, since that can make the brownies tougher.

5-Fifth Step: Fold in the white chocolate chips Add the 1 cup white chocolate chips and fold them in evenly. If you want a little crunch, this is the stage where you can also stir in chopped walnuts or another nut. Folding instead of beating keeps the batter from getting too dense.

6-Sixth Step: Spread the batter and bake Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Use a spatula to smooth the top so the brownies bake in a level layer. Place the pan in the oven and bake for 42 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with moist crumbs.

7-Seventh Step: Cool and slice Once the brownies come out of the oven, set the pan on a rack and let them cool fully. If you are in a hurry, it may be tempting to cut them right away, but cooling gives you neater squares and a better chewy texture. When ready, lift the parchment out of the pan and cut into 16 servings.