Carrot Cake Cookies (Printable)
Soft, spiced treats with grated carrots and warm spices. Optional cream cheese frosting adds the perfect finishing touch.
# What You'll 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
14 - 1/2 cup rolled oats
15 - 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
16 - 1/2 cup raisins
→ 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 Steps:
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 in the dry ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
05 - Fold in grated carrots, oats, and any optional add-ins including nuts and raisins until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
06 - Drop tablespoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing 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 sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
08 - Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, mixing until fluffy and spreadable. Spread or pipe onto cooled cookies.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- They deliver all the spiced comfort of carrot cake without the hour-long baking time
- The texture walks the perfect line between chewy and cakey, thanks to those rolled oats
- You can frost them for company or leave them plain for everyday snacking
02 -
- Overgrating the carrots makes them watery so stick to the fine side of your box grater
- These cookies continue baking on the hot sheet so pull them when edges barely show color
- Refrigerating the dough for 30 minutes prevents spreading too thin if your kitchen is warm
03 -
- Squeeze your grated carrots between paper towels if they seem especially wet
- Room temperature ingredients mix more evenly so plan ahead