Carrot Cake Cookies (Printable)
Soft spiced cookies loaded with fresh carrots, oats, and warm spices, finished with tangy cream cheese frosting.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
03 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
04 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
05 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
→ Wet Ingredients
06 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
07 - 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
08 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
09 - 1 large egg
10 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Add-Ins
11 - 1 cup finely grated carrots (about 2 medium carrots, peeled)
12 - 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
13 - 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
14 - 1/3 cup raisins (optional)
→ Cream Cheese Frosting
15 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened
16 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
17 - 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
18 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla extract; mix until combined.
04 - Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing just until incorporated.
05 - Fold in grated carrots, oats, and, if using, nuts and raisins.
06 - Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart.
07 - Bake 11–13 minutes or until edges are set and tops look dry. Cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
08 - For the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla; beat until fluffy.
09 - Once cookies are completely cool, spread or pipe a dollop of frosting onto each cookie. Optionally, sprinkle with extra chopped nuts.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Soft, spiced cookies with that classic carrot cake flavor you crave
- Ready in about 30 minutes start to finish
- Perfect for when you want cake but do not want to commit to a whole recipe
02 -
- Grate your carrots by hand instead of buying pre shredded carrots which are too thick and dry
- Let these cookies cool completely before frosting or the frosting will melt right off
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes if your cookies spread too much in the oven
03 -
- Press extra walnuts into the frosting while it is still soft for an elegant finish
- Room temperature ingredients mix together more smoothly so plan ahead