The Best Carrot Cake Cookies Recipe: Sweet & Spicy Joy

Soft and chewy carrot cake cookies promise a delightful twist on the classic dessert.

Sweet moments of pure comfort await you with every bite.

Cinnamon and nutmeg dance through these tender treats, creating magic in your kitchen.

Homemade goodness speaks volumes about care and creativity in baking.

Each cookie carries memories of cozy afternoons and shared laughter.

Fragrant spices blend perfectly with grated carrots, offering a nostalgic experience.

You’ll find these little gems irresistible and impossible to stop at just one.

Carrot Cake Cookies Prep List

• All-Purpose Flour: Base for cookie structure, provides essential texture and form.
• Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Essential leavening agents for light and fluffy cookies.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
• Ground Cinnamon: Classic spice that adds warm, aromatic flavor to carrot cake style cookies.
• Ground Nutmeg: Subtle spice complementing cinnamon with a hint of warmth.

• Unsalted Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create soft cookie texture.
• Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Sweeteners that add moisture and caramel-like depth.
• Large Egg: Binds ingredients and adds structure to cookies.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds classic sweet flavor and aromatic complexity.

• Finely Grated Carrots: Adds moisture, natural sweetness, and classic carrot cake essence.
• Rolled Oats: Provides hearty texture and nutty undertone.
• Chopped Walnuts or Pecans: Optional crunchy element with rich, toasted flavor.

• Cream Cheese: Soft, tangy base for classic frosting.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and smooth texture.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens frosting.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall frosting flavor.

Carrot Cake Cookies Preparation Directions

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a cozy 350°F.

Grab your trusty baking sheets and line them with parchment paper for smooth cookie magic.

Step 2: Create the Dry Mixture

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg

Whisk these ingredients until they’re perfectly blended and smooth.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sweet Companions

• Softened butter
• Brown sugar
• Granulated sugar

Whip until the mixture looks light and fluffy.

Add in the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until everything is beautifully combined.

Step 4: Merge the Magical Components

Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the buttery mixture.

• Freshly grated carrots
• Rolled oats
• Chopped nuts (optional)

Step 5: Shape and Bake the Cookies

Scoop dollops of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets.

Space them about two inches apart to give them room to spread.

Slide the sheets into the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges turn a gorgeous golden brown.

Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 6: Craft the Creamy Frosting

• Cream cheese
• Softened butter
• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract

Whip until the frosting becomes silky smooth and irresistible.

Step 7: Dress and Delight

Once the cookies have cooled, spread or pipe the luscious frosting on top.

Get ready to bite into a slice of heaven!

Carrot Cake Cookies – Baking Tips For Moist Texture

• Use the small holes on a box grater for fine, moist carrot shreds that blend seamlessly into cookie dough without creating large chunks.
• Chill the cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking to help cookies maintain their shape and prevent excessive spreading on the baking sheet.
• Swap walnuts or pecans for different textures, or toast nuts beforehand to enhance their nutty flavor and add a delightful crunch to the cookies.
• Reduce powdered sugar in frosting if you prefer less sweetness, or use a light hand when spreading to balance the cookie's natural sugars.
• Replace butter and cream cheese with plant-based alternatives like coconut oil and vegan cream cheese for a dairy-free version that's equally delicious.

Reheat Carrot Cake Cookies Without Losing Moisture

• Store cooled carrot cake cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Keep them in a single layer with parchment paper between each row to prevent sticking.
• Wrap unfrosted cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before adding cream cheese frosting.
• Warm cookies gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or place in a preheated oven at 300°F for 2-3 minutes to restore softness and fresh-baked taste.
• Let frosted cookies sit at room temperature for no more than 2 hours to maintain optimal texture and prevent cream cheese frosting from spoiling.

What Goes Well With Carrot Cake Cookies

• Perfect Sip and Bite Companions for Carrot Cake Cookies
• Brew a Warm Spice Tea: Complement the cookie's cinnamon and nutmeg notes with a chai or rooibos tea that echoes the warm spices and adds gentle sweetness.
• Pair with Creamy Beverage: Enjoy alongside a cold glass of milk or a smooth vanilla latte to balance the cookie's rich cream cheese frosting and provide a cool contrast.
• Match with Nutty Companion Drink: Select a hazelnut or almond-flavored coffee that harmonizes with the optional nuts in the cookie, creating a delightful flavor connection.
• Enhance with Dessert Wine: Serve with a light muscatel or sweet sherry that brings out the cookie's subtle sweetness without overwhelming its delicate carrot and spice profile.

Carrot Cake Cookies with Sweet Spice Tweaks

• Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Cookies: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free blend for a celiac-friendly version. Use certified gluten-free oats to ensure complete dietary compatibility.
• Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting: Swap dairy cream cheese with dairy-free alternatives like cashew-based cream cheese. Use coconut oil instead of butter and plant-based milk for binding.
• Reduced Sugar Option: Substitute white and brown sugars with coconut sugar or monk fruit sweetener. Add mashed banana or applesauce to maintain moisture and natural sweetness.
• Nut-Free Variation: Omit nuts from the recipe. Replace with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for added crunch and nutritional value. Use seed butter as a potential binding alternative.

FAQs

• Can I make these cookies without nuts?

Yes, you can easily omit the nuts from the recipe without affecting the overall texture or taste of the cookies.

• Are these cookies good for kids?

Absolutely! These carrot cake cookies are a fun, kid-friendly treat that sneaks in some vegetables and provides a sweet, enjoyable snack.

• How do I know when the cookies are perfectly baked?

Look for golden edges and a slightly set center. The cookies should look slightly soft but not wet when you remove them from the oven.

• Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?

You can substitute up to half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour, which will add a slightly nuttier flavor and more fiber to the cookies.

Carrot Cake Cookies That Stay Moist

• Quick Baking Adventure: Minimal ingredients and simple steps mean you can whip up these cookies in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for spontaneous baking moments.
• Healthier Indulgence: Packed with carrots, oats, and optional nuts, these cookies offer a sneaky nutrition boost while tasting like a delectable dessert.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Great for school bake sales, potlucks, or casual gatherings, these cookies appeal to both children and adults with their familiar carrot cake flavors.

Carrot Cake Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Indulgent carrot cake cookies blend classic dessert charm with portable cookie convenience. Warm spices and cream cheese frosting create irresistible comfort, beckoning you to savor each delightful bite of sweet, homemade goodness.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup finely grated carrots
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Spices and Leavening Agents:

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Wet Ingredients and Extras:

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Warm the kitchen oven to a moderate temperature of 350°F (175°C) and carefully arrange parchment paper across baking trays to prevent sticking.
2. Create a harmonious dry mixture by whisking flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg together in a medium mixing bowl until evenly combined.
3. In a separate large bowl, vigorously cream butter with brown and granulated sugars until the mixture becomes airy and pale, then incorporate the egg and vanilla extract, blending thoroughly until smooth.
4. Gently introduce the prepared dry ingredients into the butter mixture, stirring carefully to maintain a light texture, then fold in freshly grated carrots, rolled oats, and optional chopped nuts for additional depth and crunch.
5. Using a spoon or cookie scoop, deposit rounded dollops of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, ensuring approximately two inches of separation between each cookie to allow proper spreading during baking.
6. Transfer the trays to the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for golden-brown edges that indicate perfect doneness, then remove and allow cookies to cool completely on a wire rack.
7. Prepare the creamy frosting by whipping cream cheese, softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until achieving a silky, spreadable consistency.
8. Once cookies have reached room temperature, generously spread or elegantly pipe the frosting across the surface, creating a delectable finishing touch to these delightful treats.

Notes

• Toast nuts beforehand to enhance their rich, nutty flavor and create a deeper, more complex taste profile in the cookies.
• Grate carrots finely to ensure even distribution and prevent large carrot chunks from disrupting the cookie’s texture.
• Use room temperature ingredients to help ingredients blend smoothly and create a more consistent cookie dough.
• Consider substituting some flour with whole wheat flour for added nutrition and a slightly heartier cookie texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 170
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg