Fluffy Soft Carrot Cake Cookies Recipe: Heavenly Sweet Treats

Baking sweet carrot cake cookies brings pure joy to any kitchen, filling the air with warm spices and nostalgia.

These delectable treats blend the comforting flavors of traditional carrot cake into a perfectly portable cookie form.

Soft, chewy, and packed with vibrant carrot goodness, each bite promises a delightful experience.

Cinnamon and nutmeg dance through the dough, creating an irresistible aroma that beckons everyone near.

Cream cheese frosting adds a luxurious touch, transforming these humble cookies into a decadent dessert.

Whip up a batch and watch as smiles spread across faces, proving that sometimes the simplest recipes bring the most happiness.

Let these carrot cake cookies become your new favorite weekend baking adventure.

How to Share or Gift Your Carrot Cake Cookies

• Sweet Gathering Moments: Serve these carrot cake cookies during afternoon tea parties or family brunches where guests can enjoy homemade treats together.
• Dessert Platter Perfection: Create a beautiful dessert display by arranging cookies with different textures like brownies, fruit tarts, and these soft carrot cake cookies for visual appeal.
• Holiday Gift Packaging: Package cookies in cute mason jars or decorated gift boxes with ribbons, making them a delightful handmade present for friends and neighbors during festive seasons.
• Playful Pairing Options: Complement these cookies with cold milk, hot chai tea, or freshly brewed coffee to enhance their warm spice flavors and provide a delicious taste experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 196 kcal

Servings: 12

Ingredients for a Batch of Carrot Cake Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and helps bind the cookie dough together, ensuring a tender texture.
• Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Essential leavening agents that help cookies rise and create a soft, airy consistency.
• Salt, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger: Spices that enhance the warm, comforting flavor profile of the carrot cake cookies.

• Butter, Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Create a rich, caramelized sweetness and contribute to the cookie's soft, chewy texture.
• Egg, Vanilla Extract: Bind ingredients, add moisture, and provide depth of flavor to the cookie base.

• Carrots: Adds natural sweetness, moisture, and a subtle vegetable twist to the classic cookie recipe.
• Nuts, Raisins: Provide extra crunch, texture, and bursts of flavor throughout the cookie.
• Cream Cheese, Powdered Sugar: Form a luscious, tangy frosting that complements the warm spices of the cookie.

Kitchen Tools for Your Carrot-Infused Cookie Session

• Mixing bowl: Large, sturdy bowl for combining ingredients.
• Electric mixer or hand mixer: Essential for creaming butter and sugars, beating frosting.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements for dry and wet ingredients.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending dry ingredients smoothly.
• Baking sheets: Flat pans for baking cookies evenly.
• Parchment paper or silicone mat: Prevents cookies from sticking, ensures easy removal.
• Wire cooling rack: Allows cookies to cool without getting soggy.
• Spatula: Helps fold carrots and mix ingredients gently.
• Grater: For shredding fresh carrots.
• Tablespoon or cookie scoop: Creates uniform cookie sizes.

Whipping Up Some Carrot Cake Cookie Joy

• Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350F and line your baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

• Whip the Base

Grab your mixer and blend butter with sugars until they transform into a fluffy cloud of deliciousness.

• Add Moisture

Drop in the egg and vanilla, mixing until everything looks smooth and happy.

• Combine Dry Elements

In a separate bowl, mix flour, rising agents, spices, and salt until they’re perfectly blended.

• Welcome the Carrots

Gently fold grated carrots and optional nuts into the dough, creating a rustic, homey texture.

• Shape and Bake

Scoop dough onto prepared sheets, leaving space between each cookie. Slide into the oven and bake until edges look golden and crisp, about 10-12 minutes.

• Craft the Creamy Topping

Whisk cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until silky. Gradually mix in powdered sugar for a dreamy frosting.

• Create Cookie Sandwiches

Optional but recommended: Spread frosting between two cookies for an extra decadent treat.

Pro Cookie Tips for Your Carrot-Filled Batch

• Cool Carrot Cake Cookies Cooking Tips & Variations
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cookie dough up to 3 days in advance and store in refrigerator wrapped tightly. Chilled dough helps prevent spreading during baking and intensifies flavor.
• Texture Perfection: Squeeze excess moisture from grated carrots using a clean kitchen towel to prevent soggy cookies and ensure crisp edges.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap all-purpose flour with gluten-free blend or almond flour for celiac-friendly version. Add extra binding agent like xanthan gum for better structure.
• Nut-Free Twist: Replace chopped nuts with toasted sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for crunch without allergens. These alternatives provide similar texture and nutty undertones.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Use coconut cream cheese and plant-based butter for vegan-friendly frosting. Select non-dairy alternatives that maintain creamy consistency and rich flavor profile.

Best Ways to Store Soft, Spiced Cookies

• Smart Cookie Storage Solutions
• Fridge Fresh Technique: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container, layering between parchment paper to prevent sticking. Refrigerate for up to 5 days, maintaining delicious softness and cream cheese frosting integrity.
• Freezer Friendly Method: Wrap individual cookies or entire batches in plastic wrap, then place inside freezer-safe containers. Frozen cookies stay delectable for 2-3 months, perfect for surprise treats or unexpected guests.
• Room Temperature Magic: Keep unfrosted cookies in sealed containers at room temperature for 3-4 days. Select a cool, dry spot away from direct sunlight to maintain optimal texture and flavor.
• Make-Ahead Mastermind: Prepare cookie dough in advance and refrigerate for up to 3 days before baking. Alternatively, freeze raw dough balls for spontaneous baking moments, extending your culinary convenience.

Soft Carrot Cake Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Carrot cake cookies blend classic dessert flavors into perfect handheld treats. Warm spices and cream cheese frosting create delightful bites you’ll savor with pure comfort and nostalgic sweetness.

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Ingredients

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• 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar, packed
• 1 cup (100 g) grated carrots (about 2 medium carrots)
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup (50 g) chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
• ½ cup (60 g) raisins (optional)
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp ground ginger
• 4 oz (115 g) cream cheese, softened
• 2 tbsps unsalted butter, softened
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
2. Creaming: Utilize electric mixer to blend butter with granulated and brown sugars until achieving a pale, airy consistency.
3. Wet Ingredients: Integrate egg and vanilla extract into butter mixture, ensuring complete incorporation.
4. Dry Mixture: Sift flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger into a separate bowl.
5. Combining: Gently merge dry ingredients with wet mixture, stirring minimally to maintain delicate texture.
6. Adding Texture: Carefully fold grated carrots, chopped nuts, and raisins throughout the dough, distributing evenly.
7. Portioning: Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared sheets, spacing cookies approximately 2 inches apart.
8. Baking: Cook for 10-12 minutes until edges turn golden and centers appear slightly firm.
9. Cooling: Rest cookies on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack for complete cooling.
10. Frosting Preparation: Whip cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until achieving smooth, creamy consistency.
11. Finishing Frosting: Gradually incorporate powdered sugar, beating until reaching desired spreadable texture.
12. Optional Assembly: Transform into sandwich cookies by spreading frosting between two cooled cookie bases.

Notes

• Prevent Overmixing: Stop stirring dry ingredients into wet mixture as soon as they’re just combined to maintain tender, soft cookie texture.
• Moisture Management: Grate carrots finely and pat dry with paper towels to prevent excess liquid from making cookies soggy or spreading too thin.
• Temperature Control: Let butter and eggs reach room temperature before mixing to ensure smoother, more evenly incorporated batter and consistent cookie structure.
• Customize Dietary Needs: Swap regular flour with gluten-free blend, use dairy-free butter alternative, and replace nuts with seeds for allergy-friendly version.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 170
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg