Fun Carrot Sugar Cookies for Easter

Have fun with your little one by making and decorating these yummy carrot sugar cookies this Easter. Provided by the editor-in-chief, Kimberly Hodgkins,  from her newest book. You can find more Easter recipes in her latest cookbook Occasions to Cook For: Dishes and Desserts for Spring Holidays available at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble and Scribd.

Carrot Sugar Cookies

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup carrots, shredded

2 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

Cream Cheese Frosting

1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup butter or margarine

2 teaspoons vanilla

5 cups powdered sugar

Food coloring

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. In large bowl, mix sugar, butter, eggs and vanilla.

3. Stir in flour, carrots, baking powder and salt.

4. Drop by teaspoonsfuls 2 inches apart onto non-stick cookie sheet.

5.  Place in oven 7 to 8 minutes. Edges will turn light brown when done. Remove and repeat until cookie mix is gone.

6. When cookies are still warm (not hot), shape cookies by cutting appropriate shape, such as a bunny.

Cream Cheese Frosting

1. In large bowl, beat together cream cheese, butter and vanilla.

2. Slowly add powdered sugar 1 cup at a time until smooth and creamy.

3. Choose how many colors you want to make and divide frosting into separate bowls. Add food coloring of your choice.

Tip: To soften cream cheese, microwave 30 to 45 seconds per 8 ounces.

Makes 18 to 24.