Carrot Cake Cookies (Printable)
Soft, spiced cookies with grated carrots and warm spices, topped with creamy frosting.
# What You'll Need:
→ Cookie Base
01 - 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 tsp ground cinnamon
03 - ½ tsp ground ginger
04 - ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
05 - ½ tsp baking soda
06 - ½ tsp baking powder
07 - ½ tsp salt
08 - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
09 - ½ cup brown sugar, packed
10 - ¼ cup granulated sugar
11 - 1 large egg
12 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
13 - 1 cup finely grated carrots
14 - ½ cup rolled oats
15 - ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
16 - ½ cup raisins
→ Cream Cheese Frosting
17 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened
18 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
19 - 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
20 - ½ tsp vanilla extract
21 - Pinch of salt
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until well blended.
03 - In a large bowl, beat softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
04 - Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
05 - Stir in grated carrots until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
06 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Avoid overmixing to prevent tough cookies.
07 - Fold in oats, walnuts or pecans, and raisins until evenly distributed.
08 - Drop tablespoon-sized mounds of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
09 - Bake for 11-13 minutes until edges are golden brown and centers are set. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
10 - Beat cream cheese and softened butter together until smooth and creamy. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt; continue beating until fluffy and well combined.
11 - Once cookies have cooled completely, spread or pipe frosting onto each cookie. Serve immediately or store refrigerated.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- They deliver all the comfort of carrot cake without the hourlong baking time
- The cream cheese frosting transforms them into something truly special
- They stay perfectly soft for days, unlike some cookies that go rock hard
02 -
- Grating your carrots finely is crucial, large shreds can make cookies crumble apart
- Room temperature ingredients are nonnegotiable for that perfectly soft texture
- Overbaking is the enemy, pull them when edges are golden even if centers look slightly underdone
03 -
- Press extra walnuts into the frosting top for a stunning presentation
- Store them in the refrigerator where the cold keeps them perfectly chewy