March is almost over and what a whirlwind of a month! We celebrated birthdays, was able to spend some time outside with beautiful weather, hopefully 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

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• ¾ cup sugar
• ¾ brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 TBSP vanilla extract
• 3 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp salt
• 4 medium carrots peeled and grated (about 2 cups)
• 1 tub cream cheese frosting (or make your own!)

Instructions

• Line cookie sheets with silicon mats and set aside.
• In a 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.
• Add the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt and finally carrots.
• ** Be sure to refrigerate the cookie dough for at least 2 hours before baking.
• Preheat oven to 350.
• Drop by rounded TBSP 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

Please join the Lake Huntington Fire Company and American Red Cross to give blood on April 28th from 1pm - 6pm. Your donation has the power to save up to 3 lives! Most medications will not disqualify you, sign up to save lives now. Setup an appointment online: http://tinyurl. com/lhfcbloodapril28.

The 5K Sap Run in Jeffersonville, NY is officially on May 14, 2022! 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 the link, https://jeffersonvilleny.com/5ksaprun/

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

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