If you love the rich, spiced flavors of classic carrot cake but don’t want to bake an entire cake, these Carrot Cake Cookies are the perfect solution! They are soft, chewy, and infused with warm cinnamon and nutmeg, giving you all the nostalgic flavors in every bite. Plus, they’re topped with a sweet and tangy cream cheese frosting that melts in your mouth.
These cookies are a fantastic addition to any dessert table, especially for Easter or spring celebrations. Whether you enjoy them plain, frosted, or sandwiched together with extra filling, they’re a delicious way to bring the comforting taste of carrot cake to a portable, easy-to-make treat!
Full Recipe:
Cookies:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or 3/4 teaspoon table salt)
- 1 ½ -2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups finely grated fresh carrots, patted dry
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 4-6 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar (more as needed)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of kosher salt
Optional Additions:
- Chopped pecans or walnuts (¼ to ½ cup)
- Raisins (½ cup)
- Coconut flakes (¼ cup)
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a baking sheet or line it with a silicone mat.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
- In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar for 2-3 minutes until pale and airy.
- Mix in vanilla extract and eggs until combined. Fold in the grated carrots.
- Gently stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined—do not overmix.
- Use a cookie scoop (about 2 tablespoons) to drop dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges start to turn golden. Let cool on the tray for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While cookies cool, prepare the frosting. Beat cream cheese and butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Gradually mix in powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until fluffy. Add vanilla extract and a pinch of salt, then mix until fully incorporated.
- Once cookies are completely cool, spread cream cheese frosting over each cookie. Garnish with chopped nuts if desired.
Prep Time: 25 minutes | Cooking Time: 12 minutes | Total Time: 37 minutes
Calories: 265 kcal | Servings: 24 cookies
Carrot Cake Cookies: A Delightful Twist on a Classic Dessert
Carrot cake lovers, rejoice! These Carrot Cake Cookies bring all the cozy, spiced flavors of a traditional carrot cake into a soft, chewy, and utterly delicious cookie. With their cake-like texture, warm cinnamon and nutmeg spices, and a generous slathering of tangy cream cheese frosting, they make the perfect treat for any occasion—especially during spring and Easter celebrations.
Why Carrot Cake Cookies Are So Special
Carrot cake itself has a long history of being a beloved dessert, with its rich, moist texture and depth of flavor. By transforming this classic cake into a cookie, we get the same comforting flavors in a more portable and easy-to-make form. These cookies capture everything we love about carrot cake but in smaller, individual portions that don’t require slicing or plates—just grab and enjoy!
One of the things that makes this recipe so special is the balance of flavors and textures. The cookies are soft and slightly chewy, with just the right amount of sweetness and spice. The grated carrots add moisture and a subtle sweetness without being overpowering. And, of course, the cream cheese frosting takes them to the next level, adding that signature tangy contrast that makes carrot cake so irresistible.
Perfect for Any Occasion
While these cookies are a must-have for Easter and spring gatherings, they’re versatile enough to be enjoyed year-round. Whether you’re making them for a holiday dessert table, an afternoon treat, or even a homemade gift, they always impress. Their soft and chewy texture makes them a comforting snack alongside a cup of coffee or tea, and their lightly spiced flavor profile makes them ideal for the colder months as well.
Customization Ideas
One of the best things about these Carrot Cake Cookies is how easily customizable they are. While the base recipe is fantastic on its own, there are plenty of ways to tweak it to suit your personal taste. Here are some ideas:
- Add Nuts: Chopped pecans or walnuts bring a satisfying crunch and extra depth of flavor to the cookies.
- Include Raisins: If you love the classic carrot cake mix-ins, a handful of raisins adds a chewy texture and a hint of natural sweetness.
- Try Coconut: Shredded coconut flakes add a light, tropical flair that pairs beautifully with the warm spices.
- Play with Frosting Flavors: While cream cheese frosting is the classic choice, you can experiment with brown butter frosting, maple frosting, or even caramel cream cheese frosting for a unique twist.
- Turn Them Into Sandwich Cookies: By placing frosting between two cookies, you can create carrot cake sandwich cookies—double the indulgence in every bite!
- Adjust the Spices: For those who love a stronger spice flavor, consider adding a pinch of ground ginger or cloves for extra warmth.
The Secret to Soft and Chewy Cookies
The key to achieving the perfect texture in these cookies lies in a few important techniques:
- Use freshly grated carrots: Avoid using pre-shredded store-bought carrots, as they tend to be dry and won’t provide the right amount of moisture. Freshly grated carrots help keep the cookies soft.
- Measure flour correctly: Using too much flour can result in dry cookies. Always spoon and level your flour rather than scooping directly from the bag.
- Don’t overmix the batter: Overmixing can make the cookies dense rather than soft. Mix just until the ingredients are incorporated.
- Watch the bake time: These cookies should be removed from the oven as soon as the edges turn golden. Even if they seem slightly underbaked in the center, they will continue to set as they cool.
How to Store Carrot Cake Cookies
To keep your cookies fresh and delicious, proper storage is key.
- At Room Temperature: Store unfrosted cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If they have frosting, they should be kept in the refrigerator.
- In the Refrigerator: If you’ve already frosted the cookies, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving to bring back their soft texture.
- Freezing: You can freeze the cookie dough before baking by scooping it into portions, freezing them on a tray, then transferring them to a freezer bag. When ready to bake, place them directly on a baking sheet and add a couple of extra minutes to the bake time. Fully baked cookies can also be frozen (without frosting) for up to three months. Thaw them at room temperature before frosting and serving.
Pairing Suggestions
These cookies pair wonderfully with a variety of drinks and desserts. Here are some great ways to enjoy them:
- Coffee or Latte: The slight bitterness of coffee perfectly complements the sweetness and spice of the cookies.
- Chai Tea: With its warm spices, chai tea enhances the cinnamon and nutmeg flavors in the cookies.
- Vanilla Ice Cream: For an extra indulgent treat, try serving these cookies alongside a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream.
- Milk: A classic choice that balances the richness of the frosting and enhances the overall taste.
Why You Should Try This Recipe
If you’re a fan of carrot cake but want something quick, easy, and handheld, these cookies are a must-try. They offer all the flavorful goodness of a traditional carrot cake without the hassle of layering, slicing, or waiting for a full cake to cool. Plus, the cream cheese frosting makes them extra indulgent!
Not only are these cookies incredibly delicious, but they also make a beautiful addition to any dessert table. Whether you’re baking for a holiday, a birthday, or just because you’re craving something sweet, these cookies are sure to become a new favorite.
Conclusion
Carrot Cake Cookies bring together the best of both worlds—the classic flavors of carrot cake in a convenient, easy-to-make cookie form. With their soft, chewy texture, rich spices, and luscious cream cheese frosting, they are the ultimate treat for any dessert lover. Whether you stick to the original recipe or customize them with nuts, raisins, or coconut, these cookies will always be a hit.
Now that you know all about these delicious cookies, it’s time to gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and start baking! Enjoy these Carrot Cake Cookies with friends and family, or treat yourself to a batch—you won’t regret it!