Carrot Cake Cookies (Printable View)
Soft spiced cookies packed with grated carrots, cinnamon, and optional nuts or raisins. Ready in 32 minutes with creamy frosting option.
# What You Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
06 - 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
07 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
→ Wet Ingredients
08 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
09 - 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
10 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
11 - 1 large egg
12 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Add-ins
13 - 1 cup finely grated carrots (about 2 medium)
14 - 1/2 cup rolled oats
15 - 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
16 - 1/2 cup raisins (optional)
→ Cream Cheese Frosting
17 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened
18 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
19 - 1 cup powdered sugar
20 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg until well combined.
03 - In a large bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until creamy and light. Add the egg and vanilla, mixing until smooth and fully incorporated.
04 - Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
05 - Fold in grated carrots, oats, and any optional add-ins such as nuts and raisins until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
06 - Drop tablespoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing cookies 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
07 - Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until edges are golden brown and centers are set. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
08 - For optional frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, mixing until fluffy and well combined. Spread or pipe onto completely cooled cookies.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Soft, chewy centers with perfectly golden edges that somehow taste like home
- Ready in about 30 minutes with ingredients you probably already have
02 -
- Overmixing the dough makes tough cookies, so stop as soon as flour disappears
- Carrots release moisture as they bake, so slightly underbaked centers will firm up perfectly while cooling
03 -
- Grate your carrots finely on the smallest holes of your box grater for the best texture
- Room temperature ingredients prevent the dough from separating and ensure even baking