Sun-kissed Olives & Laughter

There’s something magical about the smell of freshly baked cookies. It instantly transports me back to my childhood, to the warmth of my grandma’s kitchen, filled with the aroma of cinnamon and nutmeg. She had a knack for making the simplest treats feel like a special occasion.

And nothing brought back those happy memories like her carrot cookies. They were a little bit sweet, a little bit spicy, and a whole lot of love.

Today, I’m sharing her recipe, a treasure that I’ve passed down to my own children. It’s a simple recipe, but it’s filled with the kind of magic only a grandma’s touch can bring.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups grated carrots

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
6. Stir in the grated carrots until evenly distributed.
7. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each cookie.
8. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
9. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

I love baking these cookies with my kids. It’s a way to connect with them, share a piece of my heritage, and create some happy memories together. They’re always excited to help with the mixing, and they especially love adding the grated carrots! And when those cookies come out of the oven, warm and fragrant, it’s like a little bit of magic has filled our kitchen.

These cookies are a delicious reminder of Grandma’s love, and a way for me to share those precious memories with my children. What are your favorite family recipes that you’ve passed down? Share them in the comments below!

Grandma’s carrot cookies were a classic, but my kids love to put their own spin on things! They always come up with fun and creative ways to make these cookies their own.

Here are some of our favorite twists that you can try too:

• Chocolate Chip Surprise: We love adding a handful of chocolate chips to the dough for a sweet and salty surprise.
• Cream Cheese Swirl: My kids adore a little bit of cream cheese frosting, swirled on top of the cooled cookies.
• Festive Fun: Around the holidays, we get creative with sprinkles, chocolate chips, and even mini candies to decorate our carrot cookies.
• Mini Carrot Cakes: Sometimes, we take things up a notch! We press the cookie dough into a muffin tin, bake them, and top them with cream cheese frosting for a fun, mini carrot cake treat.

A Little Bit of Creativity:

Making cookies with my kids is about more than just following a recipe. It’s a chance to get creative, to experiment with flavors, and to share a special bond. And it’s a reminder that sometimes, the most delicious recipes are the ones that we create together.

What are your favorite ways to personalize your cookies? Share your ideas in the comments below!