Imitation Moxie's White Chocolate Brownies

In my neck of the woods, there's a chain restaurant called Moxie's. On their dessert menu, they have a fantastic tasting white chocolate brownie - a cake-like dessert, that's both fluffy, and loaded with white and brown chocolate. After having this at the restaurant, I wanted to recreate it at home. Here's how it's done.

To make these white chocolate brownies, you will need the following ingredients:

• 1 cup (approximately 200 g) white chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup (125 ml) margarine or butter
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup (~67 g) white granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) artificial vanilla extract. (If you've got real vanilla, even better!)
• 1 1/4 cups (~150 g) all purpose flour
• 3/4 (~4.5 g) teaspoon salt
• 1 (~200 g) cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• Margarine/butter for greasing the baking dish

You will also need the following equipment:

• A mixing bowl
• Electric mixer (although it's possible by hand, just more time consuming)
• 8" x 8" (20 cm x 20 cm) baking pan
• Mixing spoon
• Oven
• Stove, or microwave oven

You may also need a good dose of self-restraint, in order not eat the entire batch.

It is possible to double the recipe, and use a 9" x 13" (33 cm x 23 cm) baking dish instead. The baking time will increase, but it makes enough to share with a favorite neighbor.

You did remember to wash your hands before you started, right?

After you've washed your hands, grease the baking pan with a little margarine or butter. This will help the brownies to come out of the pan after they are baked. (The easiest way I find to do this is to use my bare hands. Then wash them again).

Preheat your oven to 350°F (~175°C).

Either using a pot on low heat, or short bursts in a microwave oven, melt the margarine and white chocolate together. Be sure to not overheat the mixture, as it will cause the white chocolate to separate. (If it does, just continue on with the recipe).

In a mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to whip the eggs until they begin to foam. (This won't be foamy like a meringue, but will be just a bit foamy). When foamy, gradually add in the sugar and vanilla extract.

After the sugar and vanilla extract are mixed in, slowly drizzle in the white chocolate butter/margarine mixture. The idea here is to incorporate it slowly so that it doesn't cook the eggs. (If you got your white chocolate butter/margarine mixture too hot, let it cool a little before adding, or add it extra slow while mixing).

Next, turn the mixer off, and add the flour and salt. To avoid a mess, use the beaters on the mixer to fold in the flour before turning it on. Once it's roughly mixed, turn the mixer on and mix everything well.

Turn off the mixer, and use a mixing spoon to fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips. Pour the mixture into your baking pan.

(Optional step: after filling the baking pan, lick the mixer beaters, bowl, and spoon).

Place the baking pan in the oven on the middle rack, and bake for approximately 30 minutes. (You may want to set the timer initially for 25 minutes). When they are done, the top should be slightly browned. If stabbed in the middle with a toothpick (or steak knife), it should come out clean.

Allow the brownies to cool slightly before cutting them.

Cut up the brownies into whatever size you want. If you are feeling ambitious, feel free to garnish with a few mint leaves, a raspberry, a drizzle of chocolate sauce, or anything else you fancy.

And there you have it! Moxie's-style white chocolate brownies. Yes, it's a bit of an oxymoron, but a delicious one at that.