Carrot Cake Cookies (Printable version)

Soft spiced cookies with grated carrots, warm spices, oats, nuts, and creamy tangy frosting.

# Ingredient List:

→ Cookie Components

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 Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together flour, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
03 - Beat softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
04 - Mix in egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
05 - Stir in grated carrots until evenly distributed.
06 - Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
07 - Fold in oats, nuts, and raisins if using.
08 - Drop tablespoon-sized mounds of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart.
09 - Bake for 11-13 minutes until edges are golden and centers are set. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack.
10 - Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt; beat until fluffy.
11 - Spread or pipe frosting onto completely cooled cookies.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • You get all the nostalgic comfort of carrot cake in half the time with even better texture
  • The frosting ratio is generous enough that every bite feels like a celebration
02 -
  • Overbaking by even two minutes will turn these soft cookies into crunchy discs, so set your timer carefully
  • Room temperature ingredients prevent the frosting from curdling and the dough from separating
03 -
  • Use the smallest side of your box grater for carrots that virtually disappear into the cookie
  • Chill your dough for thirty minutes before baking if you want thicker cookies with less spread

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