chocolate-cherry blondies

 

the goods:

 

2 and 2/3 cups all-purpose flour

4 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon fine salt

2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature

2/3 cup granulated sugar

1 cup packed light-brown sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1 cup dried tart cherries

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.

 

In a large bowl, using a mixer, beat butter and both sugars on high until pale and fluffy, 3 minutes. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Reduce speed to low, add flour mixture, and beat until combined. Stir in chocolate chips and cherries.

 

Press mixture into a 9-by-13-inch metal baking pan. Bake until toothpick inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, 28 to 30 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack. Cut into squares.