April 12, 2026

Title: SAVE ROOM FOR DESSERT

Constructor: Wendy L. Brandes

Editor: Amanda Rafkin

Theme synopsis: 

• BURNT TO A CRISP (20A: Like a marshmallow that was held over a flame for too long)
• AMERICAN PIE (39A: Song that asks "Can music save your mortal soul?")
• BROWSER COOKIE (59A: Bit of data that helps a web program remember information)

SAVE ROOM FOR DESSERT: The last word of each theme answer is a type of DESSERT: CRISP, PIE, and COOKIE.

And now a word from our constructor:

Wendy: I have a sweet tooth and am always thinking of dessert!  For this puzzle, I started thinking of names of desserts that have other meanings.  Amanda pitched in with the AMERICAN PIE idea.  

My favorite clue is 20-Across -- [Like a marshmallow that was held over a flame for too long].  I hope it is evocative -- I certainly have ruined many a good s'more by being too generous with my toasting!

Many thanks to Amanda for her thoughtful and creative edits.  And thanks to the whole USA Today team for their help getting this puzzle out into the world. Sending appreciation to Sally for putting this blog together.  I learn so much from it every day!

What I learned from today's puzzle:

• ASP (63D: Venomous caterpillar or snake) I am familiar with the venomous snake known as the ASP, and today I learned about the ASP caterpillar. The ASP caterpillar is covered with hair-like projections. (I read that it resembles a Persian cat, but I'm not seeing it...) Under its soft fur, the ASP caterpillar has venomous spines. When the ASP caterpillar matures, it is known as the Southern flannel moth. 

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• SAD (10A: In need of comfort food, perhaps) If you're SAD and in need of comfort food, might this puzzle interest you in a CRISP, a PIE, or a COOKIE?
• ANSEL (13A: Photographer Adams) ANSEL Adams (1902-1984) is known for his black-and-white landscape photos. He was an active member of the Sierra Club and took photos of National Parks for the United States Department of the Interior.
• USA (16A: Amber Glenn's team) Amber Glenn is a figure skater. Earlier this year at the Winter Olympics in Italy, Amber Glenn was part of the USA figure skating team that won a gold medal.
• STRAW (18A: ___ man fallacy) A STRAW man fallacy refers to the practice of refuting a different argument than the one under discussion (without acknowledging the difference). Fun fact: In the United Kingdom, STRAW man tactics may be referred to as Aunt Sally (!!), named for a pub game.
• LINDA (33A: "You're No Good" singer Ronstadt) Although she wasn't the first to record it, LINDA Rondstadt released her version of "You're No Good" in 1974. The song reached the top of Billboard's Hot 100 chart. "You're no good, you're no good, you're no good / Baby, you're no good / I'm gonna say it again / You're no good, you're no good, you're no good / Baby, you're no good.
• AMERICAN PIE (39A: Song that asks "Can music save your mortal soul?") Thanks for the earworm, puzzle! "So, bye-bye Miss AMERICAN PIE / Drove my chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry..." "AMERICAN PIE" is a 1971 song by Don McLean. The song's lyrics include the repeated phrase "the day the music died," a reference to the 1959 plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens.
• ESPY (48A: Best Athlete With a Disability, e.g.) The 2025 ESPY for Best Athlete With a Disability was awarded to Noah Elliott, a Paralympic snowboarder and two-time Paralympic gold medalist. 
• ART (58A: Banana taped to a wall, to some) This clue is referencing the piece by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, titled Comedian. The work of conceptual ART consists of a banana duct-taped to a wall. At a Sotheby's auction in 2024, some versions of Comedian sold for over $6 million.
• BARBER (1D: Person who probably enjoyed cutting school?) Not "cutting school" as in skipping class, but literally a school to learn about cutting hair. This is a fun question mark clue for BARBER.
• SLOTH (5D: Animal that works at the DMV in "Zootopia") Zootopia is a 2016 animated movie in which Raymond S. Persi provides the voice for Flash, the "fastest" three-toed SLOTH in the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles). 
• BEHEMOTHS (35D: Giant creatures) I rather enjoy the fact that BEHEMOTHS is a giant word for giant creatures.
• INA (41D: Cookbook author Garten) INA Garten is host of the Food Network show Barefoot Contessa. In 1978, Garten left a job as a budget analyst in the White House's Office of Management and Budget and bought a specialty food store in Westhampton Beach, New York. The store had been named Barefoot Contessa by its original owner as a tribute to the 1954 film starring Ava Gardner, and Garten kept the name. She has published multiple cookbooks.
• DAKOTA (51D: Actress Fanning) DAKOTA Fanning's film credits include The Secret Life of Bees (2008) and The Twilight Saga movies (2009-2012).
• A few other clues I especially enjoyed: 
• NEST (30A: Cardinal's construction)
• SUSPENSE (10D: What a cliffhanger builds)
• TEA (64D: Irish breakfast or English breakfast, e.g.)

You don't have to tell me to SAVE ROOM FOR DESSERT, because I can always eat DESSERT. I enjoyed watching the DESSERTs appear as I uncovered the theme answers. Thank you, Wendy, for this delicious puzzle.

A note about comments: I welcome your comments on the blog! For one thing it's nice to know folks are reading what I've written. My goal for this blog has always been for it to be informational, conversational, and kind. I ask that you keep those goals in mind when commenting. Unkind comments will be deleted. Note that I am more likely to delete a negative comment if it is posted anonymously. (P.S. You can point out when I make a mistake – in fact, I appreciate that so I can correct it.)