Carrot Cookies for Any Bunny

Nothing says "spring" like freshly-baked bunny cookies.  Of course, to the girls it's all about getting their hands in some cookie dough!  They loved rolling out the circles and logs needed to make the bunnies.  While it was a little time consuming, we made it fun.  It was like playing with play dough to them.  But then we got to cook and eat them, which was a plus!  And even though they denied it, I knew they were sneaking raw dough under the table (and so was Jeremy).  Busted!

Oh-so-simple and fun to make with the kids, these Bunny Carrot Cookies are sure to warm your day (and your tummy).  I can't quite put my finger on what it is that makes these cookies so incredibly good.  My hunch is the freshly-grated carrot...that, and the extra help I'm sure. It was a fun time with the kiddos!

To get started, grate some carrot using a fine grater.  A food processor can also do the trick.  You don't need much, but a little bit goes a long way.  The natural sweetness and crunch is perfect!

Next, combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl, and give them a whisk.

In a separate bowl, combine the butter, egg, and sugar.  Mix on medium speed until creamy.

With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture.  Mix until the dough just comes together.

With the dough nice and soft, you can begin rolling the circles and logs needed to form the bunnies.  There's no easy way to do this...I just dove right in.  Ideally, you want 30 1-inch and 30 3/4-inch circles (so you can make 30 cookies), but make as many as you can.  If you have kids in the kitchen like me, you may end up short on dough...

Wow! That was a lot of rolling...Time to assemble the bunnies.

Using one 1-inch ball, one 3/4-inch ball, and two logs, form the bunnies on the cookie sheet.  Be sure the pieces touch each other, so they form one cookie as they bake.

Continue making the bunnies until you run out of dough. Hopefully you end up with 30 cookies.  I think I got pretty close.  They look so cute!

Bake the cookies at 350 degrees for 10-13 minutes.  When they start to brown slightly, they're ready. Let them cool completely.

If you would like to add tails, place a marshmallow onto each cookie and continue to bake them for another minute or two.  When the marshmallows begin to melt slightly, take them out of the oven and let them cool.

To make icing, combine the powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla in a medium-sized bowl. Slowly add milk until the desired consistency is reached. 

Add the icing to a decorator bag, and decorate the bunnies as you wish.  Some eyes, a nose, whiskers, and ear outlines was enough for me. 

They're almost too cute to eat!  Here's wishing you a "hoppy" springtime...Enjoy!

I'd love to hear how your Bunny Carrot Cookies turned out.  Please rate and review this recipe.

On Monday Liz is taking us "south of the border" with Mini Mexi Bites.

Julie is paid to write for the Land O'Lakes Recipe Buzz™ Blog.