Zucchini Spice Sandwich Cookie

Wondering what to do with all that zucchini multiplying in your garden? Well one of our local farmers markets wondered the same thing and decided to have a zucchini recipe contest. I searched for some interesting cookie ideas and came up with this one...but the idea of zucchini whoopie pies intrigued me so when I saw ( and tasted ) these cookies, once baked, I decided to make them into sandwich cookies...kind of like a whoopie pie !

They actually have a nice flavor with the addition of orange zest. So go out to your garden, grab some zucchini and get bakin' !!

Zucchini Spice Cookies

1/2 cup unsalted butter-softened

1 cup lt. brown sugar

1 tsp. orange zest

1 egg

1 3/4 cup flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

3/4 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1/8 tsp. cloves

1/4 cup milk

1 1/2 cups grated zucchini

1/2 cups walnuts ( optional and I left these out )

1/2 cup raisins ( optional and I left these out )

Preheat oven to 350.

Cream butter and sugar in bowl of mixer. Add orange zest.

Beat in egg.

Combine dry ingredients in bowl and mix.

Mix dry ingred. alternately into butter/sugar mix. with milk. Stir in nuts and raisins if using.

Bake 12 - 15 minutes. I made mine 2 different sizes. For a larger size cookie ( approx. 4" ) drop by rounded tablespoonfuls.

Filling

4 oz. cream cheese - softened

4 tbsp. butter - softened

1 cup confectioners sugar

1/2 tsp. vanilla

Beat all ingredients in a small bowl and sandwich between 2 cookies.