More Than Friends author Jody Holford shares 5 festive treats and fun desserts that her main character would love. Who doesn’t love a heroine who loves and appreciate good desserts!
Five Festive & Fun Desserts that Gabby would love
Food plays a big role in my new book, More than Friends. Gabby is one of those people who truly loves to eat. Especially when someone else is taking charge of feeding her. For someone who enjoys a good meal, it’s funny that she often forgets to feed herself, but it’s part of her artistic nature to get so wrapped up in what she’s creating, that she forgets to take care of this basic need. Good thing she has Owen who will make sure she does not go hungry.
“If I have a bionic nose, you have a sixth sense for when I need food.” Owen laughed and set the still-hot pizza on the coffee table. “Pretty easy when the answer to that is ‘always’.”
Gabby loves anything chocolate, sweet, or in the shape of a pizza, and with the holidays coming so soon, I thought I’d share some of my favorite Christmas desserts to make or eat. I’m pretty certain that Gabby would be completely on board with any of these delicious and festive snacks.
5. Rice Krispie Squares.
And yes, they have to be red and green. I always forget how simple and delicious these are until the holidays when they’re on my go-to list of easy things to make. To make them extra yummy, I love adding a bit of vanilla to the melted marshmallow before I stir in the cereal. Another thing I do, is add drizzles of chocolate on top. This year, I might try a bit of white chocolate on top.
Owen snorted and earned a pinch from Gabby. “What?” he asked as he removed her fingers from his leg. “You don’t like to cook. You like to be fed. Most days, by the time I see you, you haven’t even remembered to eat.”
4. Chex Mix Christmas Crack.
Have you ever seen the clip of Amy Schumer on Ellen, where she’s talking about how when she eats popcorn, she starts all dainty, one piece at a time, and then she full on sticks her head in the bowl and gobbles it up? (If not, you should totally check it out because it’s hilarious: https://youtu.be/RgX2HY2iyVQ ) That’s how I am with this stuff. I don’t know if it is the combination of two of my favorite things: cereal and chocolate, but this treat is aptly named. I’m betting that if Owen and Gabby were sharing a bowl while watching a Christmas movie, he wouldn’t get his fair share.
He laughed, pushed down the errant spark of interest and turned her back toward the living room, covering her eyes with one hand and placing the other over her shoulder. As he guided her forward, he heard her inhale. “Something smells yummy. Mm. I’m starving,” she said. He chuckled. “I figured you would be. Seeing as you’re awake and all.”
This picture shows the peanut butter and chocolate mix, but they have so many yummy recipes on their website.
3. Magic Cookie Bars.
Let me first just say, I hate coconut. It has a weird texture and I don’t love the taste. But apparently, if you pour Eagle Brand condensed milk on it and smother it in chocolate, it’s straight up delicious. I do not touch coconut at any other time of the year, but my mom makes these bars as part of her Christmas baking and I can eat them all. Which is not a good thing, but it tastes so right at the time. I feel like Gabby would be on the same page as me here. She doesn’t like coconut either, but that is not going to stop her from trying them. And likely, loving them.
“Are we eating lunch at the mall?” Ophelia asked. Owen could see her in the rear view mirror, sitting next to Aunt Patty. She smiled at him. Gabby turned and looked at his sister. “See, that’s what we should be thinking about, not the building,” Gabby said playfully. “I love a girl who can eat,” Leo said. Owen couldn’t disagree, though he hadn’t given it much thought before now. “Mall, it is,” he said, flipping the signal and changing lanes.
This recipe from the Eagle Brand site is SO easy even Gabby could make them.
2. Peanut Butter Balls.
Chocolate and peanut butter? Yes, please. Always, but especially at Christmas. Add some red and green sprinkles and they fit right into the holiday platter. Peanut butter and chocolate has to be one of the best combinations ever. I could (and do) eat peanut butter every day. Gabby’s a late night snack eater (okay, she’s an all-the-time-snacker) and has a never-mentioned habit of dipping graham crackers into the peanut butter.
Kraft has a recipe for peanut butter chocolate SNOWBALLS. You can’t get more festive than that.
“I ordered from Vinetti’s,” he said, his eyes glowing. “Which means you ordered triple layer chocolate cake for dessert?” It was both of their favorites.
1. Cookies
I have an unhealthy love of cookies. My favorite is chocolate chip, but during the holidays, I love to add red and green M&M’s into the recipe. Another favorite in my house is snickerdoodles. I didn’t even know what these were until a few years ago and let me just say, my life is better for knowing. Recently, I found this Betty Crocker recipe for Cake Mix Snickerdoodles. Gabby misses her family all the time, but most of all, at Christmas. Her mother had an old Betty Crocker cookbook that she pulled out when she wanted to make a special dessert or dinner. Gabby has this book in her kitchen and even though she doesn’t use it all that often, it makes her feel like a little piece of her mom is there with her all the time.
Betty Crocker has good looking snickerdoodles
Gabby stood up, tossed the napkin on her plate. “Bigger than pretending you don’t love your best friend when he asks you to pretend that you do. Fight it out. Yell at each other. But don’t for one minute leave here without realizing that I’d give anything,” she said, pausing when her voice broke, “anything to have what you all have…I’m sorry I lied, but I’m so grateful I got to be part of this Christmas. It was…everything.”
What are your Christmas favorites? Do you prefer traditional treats, like shortbread, fruitcake, and holiday-shaped sugar cookies? Or do you love to mix it up and try new recipes every year?
Title: More Than Friends Kendrick Place #1 by Jody Holford
Release date: December 5, 2016
Published by: Entangled
Synopsis
Owen Burnett planned on a quiet, easygoing Christmas, hanging out with his best friend and neighbor, Gabby Michaelson. So when his mom pressures him to come home for the holidays, he tells a little white lie…that he’s spending the holidays with his new girlfriend. But when his family shows up unexpectedly, Owen pulls the best friend card and asks Gabby to play his fake girlfriend.
Gabby’s been hopelessly in love with her best friend Owen for what feels like forever, but playing his “fake” girlfriend when the entire boisterous Burnett clan visits is easier said than done. The more she tries to deny the attraction between them, the more obvious their chemistry becomes. But even though she’s not the only one feeling it, putting their friendship on the line is a risk she can’t take.
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About Jody Holford
Jody Holford is a multi-published author who has a soft spot for happily ever after. So much so, she tattooed the words on her arm. She’s a mom and a wife, a friend, sister, daughter, teacher, and book-lover. Her stories have a little bit of heat and a lot of heart. And maybe, some swoon-worthy moments that will make you smile.
Connect with Jody: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
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