Codes

I recently taught a class about Universal Product Codes (UPCs), also known as bar codes. The class learned about what the numbers of the bar code stand for and how to find out if a number was wrong. We even started talking about our own UPCs....our Social Security numbers, and what those numbers mean. The QR code (those squares that appear on everything now) were also a topic of conversation. I had learned about most of the codes in my Number Theory classes but I didn't know that the UPC was invented by IBM....or how they convinced supermarkets to use the bar code we use today.

Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Chip Blondies
adapted from littlebitsof.com

Oven 350

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

1 cup packed light brown sugar

1 large egg

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1/2 cup chocolate chips

 

Mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice in a medium bowl. Melt butter in the microwave and stir into a large bowl with brown sugar. Add egg and vanilla to the sugar mixture.









Once mixed well, stir in half of the flour mixture at a time. Fold chocolate chips into batter.












Pour batter into a greased 8x8 pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

















Let cool on rack before cutting.