More than 300 attendees sampled cookies made by 34 youth bakers who competed in The Great Birthday Bake, a cookie baking competition for children, at the The Double Tree by Hilton Cranberry on Sunday. The event was hosted by Beverly's Birthdays, a Pittsburgh nonprofit organization that provides birthday cheer to children from families in need.

MARS — Sports and cookies are similar, said 9-year-old Leo Markowitz, who used this concept to create a cookie for a Mars contest last weekend.

As a Boy Scout, Leo said he enjoys archery, and recalls the target he uses for practice.

With this in mind along with his love for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Leo was inspired to make his Bullseye Cookie, and decorate his cookie table at The Great Birthday Bake with a miniature air hockey arena complete with a Lego character audience.

“I like making the cookies and decorating,” said Leo, who's from Cranberry Township. “It’s very fun, especially tasting the cookies.”

The event, a cookie baking competition for children, was hosted Sunday at The Double Tree by Hilton Cranberry by Beverly’s Birthdays, a Pittsburgh nonprofit that provides birthday cheer to children from families in need.

Read more in Monday's Butler Eagle.