Craving the flavors of carrot cake but in cookie form? Look no further! These carrot cake cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with all the spices you love in a classic carrot cake, topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting. They’re the perfect treat for spring, Easter, or any time you need a little comfort. This recipe is easy to follow and creates perfect cookies every time.
Why You’ll Love These Carrot Cake Cookies
These cookies are a delightful twist on a classic dessert. They offer all the warm, spiced flavors of carrot cake in a convenient, portable form. Plus, they’re incredibly easy to make, perfect for baking with kids, and they’re always a crowd-pleaser.
What You’ll Need: Ingredients for Carrot Cake Cookies
Here’s what you’ll need to whip up a batch of these amazing carrot cake cookies. Make sure your ingredients are fresh for the best flavor!
- For the Cookies:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour: This gives the cookies structure.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder: Adds extra lift.
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon: For that classic warm spice.
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg: A hint of nutty flavor.
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger: Adds a bit of zing.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness.
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened: Adds richness and flavor.
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar: For sweetness and texture.
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar: Adds moisture and a caramel-like flavor.
- 2 large eggs: Binds the ingredients together.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the other flavors.
- 1 1/2 cups shredded carrots: The star of the show!
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional): Adds a nice crunch.
- 1/2 cup raisins (optional): For a chewy sweetness.
- For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened: The base of our tangy frosting.
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened: Adds richness to the frosting.
- 3 cups powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the frosting’s flavor.
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
For the best flavor, use high-quality spices! If you’re gluten-free, use a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend. Feel free to swap walnuts for pecans, or omit the nuts altogether. For a dairy-free version of Carrot Cake Cookies, use plant-based butter and cream cheese alternatives.
Step-by-Step: Making Your Carrot Cake Cookies
Ready to get baking? Follow these simple steps to create delicious carrot cake cookies that everyone will love!
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. You can use a hand mixer or a stand mixer for this. Then, beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Make sure everything is well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt. Whisking ensures everything is evenly distributed, so you don’t get pockets of spice. For perfectly spiced cookies, it is important to measure your ingredients correctly.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can lead to tough cookies. A few streaks of flour are okay at this point.
- Add Carrots and Nuts/Raisins: Gently fold in the shredded carrots, and the chopped walnuts or pecans and raisins, if you’re using them. Make sure everything is evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Chill the Dough (Optional): Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This step is optional but highly recommended, as it helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- Scoop and Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.
- Bake Until Golden: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are set. Don’t overbake them, or they’ll be dry!
- Cool Completely: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents them from breaking. Once they’re completely cool, you can frost them with the cream cheese frosting.
Pro Tips for Perfect Cookies
Don’t overmix the dough! Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour and results in tough cookies. Parchment paper is your best friend – it prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. Chilling the dough is key to preventing excessive spreading.
Cream Cheese Frosting: The Perfect Topping
No carrot cake cookie is complete without a generous swirl of tangy cream cheese frosting! Here’s how to make it:
- Cream Butter and Cream Cheese: In a large bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Make sure there are no lumps! This is easiest with a hand mixer or stand mixer.
- Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating on low speed until incorporated. Once all the powdered sugar is added, increase the speed to medium and beat until smooth and fluffy. Be careful not to add the powdered sugar too quickly, or you’ll have a cloud of sugar in your kitchen!
- Add Vanilla: Stir in the vanilla extract until well combined. This enhances the flavor and adds a touch of sweetness.
- Frost the Cookies: Once the carrot cake cookies are completely cool (this is important!), frost them generously with the cream cheese frosting. You can use a knife, a spatula, or a piping bag for a fancier look.
Variations on the Frosting
Want to jazz up your frosting? Try adding a teaspoon of lemon zest for a bright, citrusy flavor. Or, a 1/2 teaspoon of orange extract for a warm, comforting twist. Brown butter frosting would also be delicious!
Serving and Storing Your Carrot Cake Cookies
These carrot cake cookies are best enjoyed fresh, but they also store well!
- Serving Suggestions: Serve these delicious carrot cake cookies with a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of coffee. They’re also a fantastic addition to a dessert platter for parties or gatherings. You can even crumble them over ice cream for a special treat!
- Storage Instructions: Store the frosted cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The cream cheese frosting needs to be kept cold. Let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving to soften the frosting slightly. You can also freeze the unfrosted cookies for up to 2 months. Thaw them completely before frosting.
FAQ
Let’s answer some common questions about carrot cake cookies!
Why is it called divorce carrot cake?
This is a fun question! Recipes with “divorce” in the name are usually so good that people jokingly say they’d “divorce” their spouse for them. In the context of carrot cake cookies, it implies they’re so irresistibly delicious, you’d want them all for yourself! It’s more of a joke than a serious culinary term. These carrot cake cookies are seriously craveable.
What is a carrot cake bomb?
A carrot cake bomb is generally a single-serving dessert that packs all the classic carrot cake flavors into one bite. Think of it as a miniature, intense version of carrot cake. It could be a filled cupcake, a truffle, or even a small, layered dessert. The key is the concentrated carrot cake flavor, often with a cream cheese frosting element. Our carrot cake cookies aim to give you a similar flavor explosion!
What are carrot cookies?
Carrot cookies are cookies made with shredded carrots and similar spices to those used in carrot cake. The carrots add a subtle sweetness and moisture, creating a softer, chewier cookie. They are a delicious twist on a traditional cookie recipe. And what sets our recipe apart? The delectable cream cheese frosting that tops our carrot cake cookies, of course!
Why is butter not used in carrot cake?
While some carrot cake recipes use oil instead of butter, it’s not that butter isn’t used. It’s more a matter of preference and the desired texture. Oil tends to create a very moist cake, while butter adds a richer, more complex flavor. Our carrot cake cookie recipe uses butter to strike a balance, creating a tender cookie with a delightful buttery flavor. The brown sugar also adds to the moistness. Want a deep dive into the nutritional value of ingredients like butter? Healthline offers extensive information.
Tips, Tricks, and Variations for Your Carrot Cake Cookies
Want to take your carrot cake cookies to the next level? Here are a few tips, tricks, and variations to try:
- Make them ahead: The cookie dough can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. This is perfect for busy days! Just let the dough soften slightly before scooping and baking.
- Add pineapple: For extra moisture and a tropical twist, add ½ cup of well-drained crushed pineapple to the batter. It adds a lovely sweetness and chewiness.
- Spice it up: Adjust the spices to your liking! A pinch of ground cloves or allspice can add a warm, cozy depth of flavor to these carrot cake cookies.
- Go nuts: Experiment with different nuts! Macadamia nuts or pecans would be delicious alternatives to walnuts. Interested in smoking nuts? Then check out this article on the most common smoked foods.
- Get creative with the frosting: Add a drop or two of food coloring to the cream cheese frosting for a festive touch, especially around holidays. Or, sprinkle the frosted cookies with chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or even a sprinkle of cinnamon. Ensure you’re using the right tools for the job; knowing what does c mean in a recipe can be surprisingly helpful!
- Baking Time Adjustments: Keep a close eye on your cookies, especially if you live at a high altitude. Baking times may vary, so start checking for doneness a minute or two early.
- Why are my cookies flat?: If your cookies are spreading too thin, chilling the dough is key! It helps the butter solidify, preventing the cookies from spreading too much in the oven. Also, make sure your oven temperature is accurate. My daughter had this problem! She didn’t realize that she wasn’t preheating the oven long enough! If you want to know what ingredients can replace another, then check out heavy cream substitutes for baking.
Adding natural sweetness is something everyone is looking to do, so what is the key to sticky granola?
Enjoy Your Homemade Carrot Cake Cookies!
I hope you love these carrot cake cookies as much as my family does! They’re a perfect little treat that brings the joy of carrot cake in a fun, shareable way. Give the recipe a try, and don’t forget to share your creations with me. I can’t wait to see them! Happy baking! If you want information on how to eat well then check out the healthline nutrition page!