March is almost over, and what a whirlwind of a month! We celebrated birthdays; we were able to spend some time outside with beautiful weather; hopefully, this was our last snowstorm of the season; and so much more. I am looking forward to longer, warmer days!

We are planning for our spring holidays and these soft carrot cake cookies with cream cheese frosting are always a hit! They are perfect if you like carrot cake, but do not want to make a whole cake.

Carrot Cake Cookies

1 cup unsalted butter

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

3 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoons salt

4 medium carrots peeled and grated (about 2 cups)

1 tub cream cheese frosting (or make your own!)

Line cookie sheets with silicone mats and set aside.

In the large bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugars until light and creamy (about 5 minutes). Add the eggs and vanilla and combine. Be sure to scrape down sides of the bowl.  Add the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and finally carrots. 

Important! Be sure to refrigerate the cookie dough for at least 2 hours before baking.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto prepared pans.

Bake approximately 15 minutes or until lightly browned.

Cool 10 minutes before moving from cookie sheets.

Cool completely before frosting (if desired)

You can find  a printable version of the recipe, on my blog https://everafterinthewoods.com/how-do-you-make-carrot-cake-cookies/.

Some upcoming local events and announcements-

Join the Lake Huntington Fire Company and American Red Cross to give blood on April 28 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Your donation has the power to save up to three lives! Most medications will not disqualify you, so sign up to save lives now. Set up an appointment online at http://tinyurl.com/lhfcbloodapril28.

The 5K Sap Run in Jeffersonville, NY is officially on for May 14. The following link takes you to the registration forms to print and mail or to register online. If you would like to sponsor the race, the information is also available at  https://jeffersonvilleny.com/5ksaprun/.

The Cochecton Youth Commission events are posted on Facebook and now on the Town of Cochecton website at https://townofcochectonny.org. Stay up to date on all the exciting news!

If you have a local business that you would like to be spotlighted in an upcoming column, get in touch. Email jenn@jennpowelldesigns.com with any news, events and happenings.