White Chocolate Peppermint Brownies

Ingredients

• 3 (2 ounce) bars NESTLE® TOLL HOUSE® Premier White Baking Chocolate, broken into pieces
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1/3 cup butter, melted and cooled

Directions

1. MICROWAVE baking bars in medium, microwave-safe bowl on MEDIUM-HIGH (70%) power for 1 minute; stir. Microwave at additional 10- to 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Cool to room temperature.
2. COMBINE flour, baking powder and salt in small bowl.
3. COMBINE sugar, eggs, water in large bowl. Add melted baking bars and butter; stir until smooth. Gradually add flour mixture. Pour into greased 9 x 9-inch baking pan.
4. BAKE in preheated 350 degrees F. oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on wire rack.

Topping-   Best applied when brownies have cooled slightly...
                melt 1/2 cup of white chocolate chips in double boiler
               stir in 1/2 teaspoon of shortening
               stir in a few drops of peppermint extract
               pour chocolate in a drizzle over top of brownies
               crush 2 candy canes and sprinkle over top of brownies