Chess, Anyone?

Before the holidays, there was a chess tournament in our house (hubs & I live at a boarding school and have an apartment within a 30+ boys dormitory). Hubs promised the winner of said tournament a baked good by yours truly. When asked, the winner wanted something that he could share with the rest of the house. Typically cupcakes are my standby, but I've been broadening my horizons and decided to bake brownies and blondies. I had only made brownies from scratch once and couldn't remember them, so apparently they weren't that remarkable. I decided to go the basic route and not try anything crazy. I chose my recipes from The New Best Recipe Cookbook, from the trusty editors of Cook's Illustrated. They were good, especially the blondies—I definitely picked up the butterscothiness flavors. The brownies were good, but nothing to rave over. The boys liked them, and I guess that was the ultimate goal.

The blondies and brownies take a rest before being measured and cut. And below, all 64 pieces are arranged and ready for the winner!

And look what I stumbled upon at Wegman's!!! Unbleached cake flour! I was staring at the usual purchase, the bright red box of overly processed bleached cake flour when I gazed over to this gorgeous box. I use King Arthur unbleached AP, wheat and pastry flours—so I am happy to add this one to the family.