12 DATES OF CHRISTMAS + CHERRY CHIP LOAF

A fun watch with great chemistry between Smart and Gosselaar! Keep an eye out for each “number” (e.g. 2 kids in turtle dove costumes) throughout the movie.

Directed by: James Hayman

Starring: Amy Smart and Mark-Paul Gosselaar

Screenplay by: Janet Brownell, Blake Harris, and Aaron Mendelsohn

Kate Stanton: “I can’t really talk right now.”

Margine Frumkin: “Oh, you have big Christmas Eve plans?”

Kate Stanton: “More like obligations.”

Margine Frumkin: “Oh, well here. I made you a cherry chip loaf!”

Cherry Chip Loaf (recipe adapted from: https://shecookswithhelp.com/desserts/cherry-chip-loaf-inspired-by-the-12-dates-of-christmas/)

2 c. flour

2 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

2 sticks unsalted butter

1 c. granulated sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

2 tbsp. honey

2 eggs

1/2 c. applesauce

1 10 oz. jar maraschino cherries, drained and chopped

1/2 c. milk chocolate chips

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Whisk dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, and salt). In a separate bowl, cream the butter and sugar for 2-3 minutes. Then add the vanilla and honey, followed by the eggs (one at a time) and applesauce. Slowly add the dry mixture into the wet ingredients. Fold in the cherries and chocolate until just combined. Bake 50-55 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.