Soft Carrot Cake Cookies (Printable)
Soft spiced cookies with fresh carrots and warm frosting.
# What You Need:
→ Cookie Dry Ingredients
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
→ Cookie Wet Ingredients
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
→ Cookie Mix-ins
13 - 1 cup finely grated carrots
14 - ½ cup rolled oats
15 - ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
16 - ½ cup raisins (optional)
→ 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
# 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.
03 - In a large bowl, cream the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
04 - Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until combined.
05 - Stir in grated carrots.
06 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
07 - Fold in oats, nuts, and raisins if using.
08 - Drop tablespoon-sized mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart.
09 - Bake for 11-13 minutes, until edges are golden and centers are set. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
10 - Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt; beat until fluffy.
11 - Once cookies are cool, spread or pipe frosting onto each cookie.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- They capture everything you love about carrot cake but in half the time and with way less cleanup
- The cream cheese frosting transforms them from ordinary cookies into something people will request by name
02 -
- Grating your own carrots instead of buying pre-shredded ones makes a huge difference in moisture and flavor
- Letting the cookies cool completely before frosting is non-negotiable or your frosting will melt right off
03 -
- Toast your nuts in a dry pan for 3 to 4 minutes before adding them to the dough for deeper flavor
- Add a tablespoon of maple syrup to your frosting for a subtle caramel note that pairs beautifully with the spices