Half-Baked Puzzles

 Hi friends, Back this week with a themed midi. I constructed this puzzle on Twitch  as a way to demo the construction software Ingrid . Spoilers for this puzzle in that video, obviously! Ingrid is fantastic, and continues to be my go-to software for construction--and it's free!  Ingrid also has quite a few features that have been added since I made that video, especially a tool to add and change word scores. If you have an interest in construction, go check it out. And thanks to those who hung out on the Twitch stream. Their ideas helped shape this puzzle, including the title, which I believe was suggested by Dan . Go solve Dan's great puzzles, and congrats to Dan on his incredible 3rd place in the Mountain division at Westwords.  Thanks to Norah for help in testing this one.  .puz PDF   Solution   Mmm, pepperoni pizza  

 Hey friends, Back with a really fun themeless this week, a collaboration with the one and only Rose Sloan! I had the pleasure of hanging out with Rose at Westwords this past weekend, along with a whole bunch of you. Congrats to Rose on an impressive 3rd place finish in the Beach division.  What an amazing tournament, and you should buy the puzzle pack if you weren't able to go. They're all bangers, but some incredible cluing by Amanda Rafkin and some devious theming by Adam Wagner were the highlights for me. Rose says: "I was very excited to make this very nerdy puzzle with Will, and I'm excited that you all get to solve it now!" If these OneDrive links prompt a log-in, try opening in a private window: .puz PDF Solution Mmm, challah

 Hi friends! It's been a little while since I've had a blog puzzle--hopefully I'll have the chance to post a bit more this summer. In the meantime, I'm busy as part of the leadership team for Lil AVC X, editing for Puzzmo, and can be found in Universal, USA Today, and Crossword Flow, among other outlets.  I've got this week's AVCX+ themeless with Shannon Rapp (we also had a recent AVCX Classic that we recommend if you like tougher themed puzzles!). And both of us have a whole lot more great puzzles coming this summer, so keep your eyes peeled. Thanks to Shannon for help in testing this puzzle. It's a themeless that shouldn't play too rough. (If Onedrive prompts a login, try opening in a private window) .puz PDF   Solution     Mmm, cream puffs    

 Hi friends, Still recovering from ACPT here! It was an incredible whirlwind, and I saw so many of you there, and missed so many of you who were there too. I'm hoping to write up something more comprehensive at some point, but for now I'll just say it was an amazing experience. Today we've got a themed puzzle with my favorite collaborator, Shannon . Hope you enjoy! You can also find our work by donating to These Puzzles Fund Abortion 4 , in yesterday's USA Today, and various other outlets.    (If these links prompt a login to OneDrive, try opening in a private window) .puz    PDF   Solution Mmm, blood orange olive oil cake  

 Hi friends, Back at it with a themeless for you today that I think you'll find an engaging challenge!  If you're a Browser subscriber, go check out the cryptic Shannon and I made over. If you're a Defector subscriber, we also made a really fun sports-heavy puzzle over that way. (If OneDrive prompts a login, try opening in a private window.) .puz PDF   Solution Mmm, salty rosemary nut tart

 Hi friends, Back with a themeless that I think you'll find to be a fun romp. Thanks to Norah for help in testing this one.  I'm posting this unusually on a Saturday because I'm in the midst of kind of a fun run of puzzles!  Thursday: Los Angeles Times with Norah Friday: Puzzmo (if you haven't checked it out yet, it's free to register and you should definitely give it a look) Saturday: This puzzle! Sunday: Browser cryptic with Norah Monday: MYSTERY OUTLET with Norah It's also a nice run for Norah (who has a puzzle over on the app Crossword Flow today), and for us collaboratively. Thanks to everyone who's helped test, streamed a puzzle of ours, or just said nice things. The crossword community rocks, and we're happy to be a part of it.  (If OneLook prompts a login, try opening in a private browser window) .puz  PDF Solution    Mmm, cranberry-pomegranate mousse pie  

 Hi gang, Back with a new themeless after a little hiatus. The puzzle work continues apace! I'm part of a lovely leadership team over at Lil AVC X, along with Rafa Musa, Olivia Mitra Framke, and Sally Hoelscher. We recently finished putting together the team of editors for 2024, which includes Norah Sharpe (under her government name)! This puzzle, like every collaboration with Norah , was a joy to make. Norah says, "The structure of this one was inspired by some of the gridwork that Brian Thomas has been up to lately (see this one and this one ). My favorite clues are 16A, 39A, and 51D. Thanks as ever to Will for having me over. There's only a few days left to send in your applications for the 2024 Lil AVC X roster! Details here . And speaking of Lil, please try our "Happy Hour" midi from earlier this week."   (If OneDrive prompts a log-in, try opening in a private window)   .puz   PDF   Solution Mmm, mini smores cups