Description
Soft, spiced carrot cake cookies packed with shredded carrots and warm cinnamon, finished with a smooth cream cheese frosting. They taste like classic carrot cake in an easy handheld cookie form.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup finely shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- In another large bowl beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix until smooth.
- Stir in the shredded carrots and oats.
- Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until a soft dough forms. Fold in nuts if using.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 9–11 minutes until the cookies are set and lightly golden on the edges. Let cool completely.
- For the frosting, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth, then mix in powdered sugar and vanilla until creamy.
- Spread or pipe the cream cheese frosting onto the cooled cookies. Serve immediately or store chilled.
Notes
- Finely shred the carrots so they blend smoothly into the cookies.
- Chill the dough for 20 minutes if it feels too soft to scoop.
- Store frosted cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- You can omit the nuts or substitute raisins if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
