Debbie Macomber's Blog, page 8

Cheesy Pesto Swirl Buns

These Cheesy Pesto Swirl Buns are easy, doughy, swirled with cheddar cheese and basil pesto. Serve as an easy appetizer or side dish!
In the bowl of a stand mixer with a dough hook, mix the milk, eggs, honey, and yeast until combined. With the mixer on low, slowly add the butter. Add the flour and salt, then mix on low until flour is mostly absorbed. Turn speed up to medium and mix for 7 to 8 minutes, until the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl. Transfer dough to a large greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.

While the dough is rising, make the filling.
Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Use a rolling pin to roll dough into a 10 inch by 16 inch rectangle. Spread the pesto filling evenly over the dough, then sprinkle with the cheeses.Starting with the end closest to you, roll up the dough into a tight log. Use a sharp knife to cut into 16 buns.Transfer buns to the prepared baking sheet, spaced about 1 inch apart. Brush tops with 2 tablespoons of the melted butter, then cover loosely with plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes.Bake buns for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown. Brush with remaining melted butter, then serve warm.

Galentine's Day Charcuterie Board

Celebrate your gal pals this Galentine’s Day with this beautiful Galentine’s Day Charcuterie Board! Filled with fresh fruit, chocolate, cheese, meats, and sweet treats, there is something for everyone. We’ll walk you through making this board, step by step.
Cut a short slice off the top of the brie. Use a heart cookie cutter to cut a heart out of the sliced off brie; discard heart cutout. Spread jam on the top of the remaining brie. Replace the sliced off brie round on top of the jam. Place in the center of your board.
Fold each salami in half, then in half again. Arrange around half of the brie round. Arrange crackers around the other half of the brie.
Pour caramel corn in a heart cookie cutter or bowl, then place on the board. Put sweetened whipped cream in a small bowl and place on the board.
Arrange remaining ingredients on the board, keeping the overall shape in a circle or oval – or the shape of your board.

Grace Fox

Grace Fox co-directs an international non-profit, speaks at women's events overseas and across North America, and has authored ten books. Her new devotional Finding Hope in Crisis: Devotions for Calm in Chaos is available now! Grace was recently featured in the January 2021 issue of Welcome Home and has generously answered a few questions!

Shepherd's Pie

Shepherd’s Pie is such a warm and cozy winter dish. The filling is bursting with savory flavors, while the topping is all comfort in creamy mashed potatoes. Ground lamb is traditional, but ground beef is easily substituted pound for pound.

John Cribb

John Cribb is a bestselling author who has written about subjects ranging from history to education. His previous work includes coauthoring The American Patriot’s Almanac and The Educated Child, both New York Times bestsellers; co-editing The Human Odyssey, a 3-volume world history text, and developing online history courses. His writing has been published in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, the Chicago Tribune, National Review Online, and several other publications. John was recently featured in the January issue of Welcome Home and generously answered a few questions!

Pecan Sandies

These tender, buttery shortbread cookies melt in your mouth with so much delicious toasted pecan flavor. Perfect for gifting or enjoying with a cup of tea or cocoa, these are a must-bake this winter season! 

2021 Goals

This new year is an opportunity to take a whole new perspective on goals you wish to achieve and who you want to be in 2021.

2021 Word of the Year

When it comes to choosing a word for this year or any year, I ask God to show me which word He has in mind. What generally happens is that the word will show up several times in different ways. God gave me my word for 2021 the week before Advent. I was reading in my devotional titled HOPE, and it struck me how much the world was in need of hope following 2020.

Looking Back on 2020

Charles Dickens was onto something when he penned the words: It was the best of times; it was the worst of times. That adequately describes what 2020 was like to me. When the isolation first hit back in March, Wayne and I moved from Port Orchard to our home on Hood Canal. It seemed a good place to hunker down for the next two or three weeks. Who would have guessed it would be all these months?

Champagne Cocktails

Champagne cocktails are the perfect way to say goodbye to 2020, and welcome 2021 with open arms. Pick your favorite one to try - or try them all! They all serve 2, which is perfect for smaller New Year’s Eve celebrations.