The Best Carrot Cake Cookies Recipe: Soft, Spiced Bites of Joy

Carrot cake cookies blend the nostalgic warmth of a classic dessert with portable, bite-sized deliciousness.

These delectable treats capture the essence of comfort baking in a convenient, handheld format.

Soft, spiced morsels packed with natural sweetness refine an ordinary afternoon into a memorable moment.

Rich, tender crumbs carry hints of cinnamon and nutmeg, creating a sensory experience that transports you to cherished kitchen memories.

Crafted with wholesome ingredients, these cookies balance nutrition and indulgence in every single bite.

Each morsel promises a perfect harmony of texture and flavor, inviting you to savor a classic dessert reimagined.

You’ll fall in love with this irresistible twist on a beloved favorite.

Why Carrot Cake Cookies Are a Spiced Cookie Classic

• Bake Soft and Wholesome Treats: These carrot cake cookies combine the comforting flavors of classic carrot cake with the portable convenience of cookies, delivering a delightful handheld dessert packed with nutritious ingredients like carrots, oats, and coconut.
• Enjoy Creamy Sandwich Delight: The rich cream cheese frosting sandwiched between two perfectly baked cookies creates a luxurious texture and indulgent experience that elevates these treats from simple cookies to gourmet-style desserts.
• Craft Easy Weekend Baking Project: With straightforward instructions and minimal specialized techniques, these cookies are perfect for bakers of all skill levels, offering a fun and approachable recipe that delivers impressive results without complex steps.
• Savor Make-Ahead Convenience: The cookies can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week, making them an excellent option for meal prep, potlucks, or having a delicious homemade treat ready whenever a sweet craving strikes.

Ingredients That Make These Cookies Taste Like Carrot Cake

Main Ingredients:

• All-Purpose Flour: The base for cookie structure, providing essential texture and binding.
• Rolled Oats: Adds hearty texture and nutty flavor to the cookies.
• Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Essential leavening agents for cookie rise and softness.
• Ground Cinnamon: Warm spice that complements the carrot cake flavor profile.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Butter: Provides rich flavor and creates a smooth, creamy base for the cookies.
• Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Offer sweetness and help create a soft, chewy texture.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to cookie structure.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and classic bakery flavor.

• Carrots: Fresh, grated carrots bring moisture and natural sweetness to the cookies.
• Unsweetened Coconut: Adds tropical texture and subtle nutty flavor.
• Raisins: Provide chewy sweetness and extra moisture.

• Cream Cheese: Creates tangy, smooth base for the frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps thicken the frosting.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps stabilize the frosting.

How to Bake Soft, Chewy Cookies with Cream Cheese Flavor

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Warm up the oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Gather all cooking tools and ingredients for smooth preparation.

Step 2: Create Creamy Butter Base

• Softened butter
• Brown sugar
• Granulated sugar

Whip until the mixture becomes fluffy and light with a smooth texture.

Step 3: Introduce Moisture Ingredients

• Eggs
• Vanilla extract

Mix thoroughly until ingredients are fully combined and create a smooth consistency.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Rolled oats
• Baking soda
• Baking powder
• Ground cinnamon
• Salt

Stir until ingredients are evenly distributed without overmixing.

Step 5: Add Signature Ingredients

• Freshly grated carrots
• Unsweetened coconut flakes
• Plump raisins

Ensure even distribution throughout the dough.

Step 6: Shape Cookie Rounds

Scoop tablespoon-sized portions onto prepared baking sheets. Space cookies 2 inches apart. Gently shape rounds with damp hands for uniform appearance.

Step 7: Bake Golden Treats

Slide baking sheets into preheated oven. Bake 9-10 minutes until edges turn golden and tops lose their shine. Allow cookies to rest 5 minutes on baking sheet before transferring to cooling rack.

Step 8: Craft Creamy Frosting

• Cream cheese
• Softened butter
• Vanilla extract

Gradually incorporate powdered sugar until frosting becomes light and silky.

Step 9: Create Sandwich Cookies

Place frosting between two cookie bottoms. Gently press to spread filling evenly. Repeat with remaining cookies.

Step 10: Set and Store

Let frosted cookies rest 1-2 hours for frosting to stabilize. Store in airtight container between wax paper layers in refrigerator. Cookies remain fresh 5-7 days.

Tips for Moist Cookies and Sweet Spice

• Grate Carrots Finely: Use the smallest holes on your grater for ultra-thin, moisture-rich carrot shreds that distribute evenly throughout the cookie dough.
• Soften Ingredients Properly: Let butter, cream cheese, and eggs sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes to ensure smooth, creamy mixing and optimal texture.
• Control Moisture Levels: Gently pat grated carrots with paper towels to remove excess liquid, preventing soggy or overly wet cookie dough.
• Chill Dough for Better Shape: Refrigerate cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and maintain a perfectly round, sturdy cookie shape.
• Create Uniform Cookies: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon for consistent sizing, ensuring even baking and professional-looking sandwich cookies with balanced frosting.

How to Keep Carrot Cake Cookies Fresh

• Refrigerate: Store cookies in an airtight container between wax paper layers, keeping them fresh for 5-7 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze: Wrap individual cookies or the entire batch tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze up to 3 months for later enjoyment.
• Thaw and Serve: Remove frozen cookies from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving, ensuring soft and delicious texture.

Great Add-Ons or Sips to Serve With

• Pair with Creamy Chai Latte: Complement the warm spices of the carrot cake cookies with a smooth, spiced chai latte. The creamy, aromatic drink balances the sweet, nutty flavors of the cookies perfectly.
• Match with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Serve these cookies alongside a scoop of rich vanilla bean ice cream. The cold, silky texture creates a delightful contrast to the soft, spiced cookie sandwich.
• Enjoy with Cinnamon Maple Cappuccino: Elevate the cookie experience with a velvety cinnamon maple cappuccino. The coffee's warmth and sweet maple notes enhance the cookie's rich, comforting profile.
• Combine with Spiced Cream Sherry: For an elegant adult pairing, try a chilled cream sherry. Its nutty, slightly sweet character wonderfully echoes the cookies' warm spices and creamy frosting.

Tasty Variations for Frosting or Mix-Ins

• Nutty Carrot Crunch: Replace raisins with chopped pecans or walnuts for added texture and rich, toasted flavor. Toast nuts lightly before mixing into the dough to enhance their nuttiness.
• Chocolate Chip Carrot Swirl: Incorporate mini chocolate chips into the cookie dough for a sweet, decadent upgrade. Dark chocolate chips complement the warm cinnamon and carrot flavors perfectly.
• Gluten-Free Carrot Dream: Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend and use certified gluten-free oats. Maintain the same measurements and baking instructions for a celiac-friendly version that doesn't compromise on taste.
• Spiced Maple Carrot: Add a tablespoon of maple syrup to the dough and sprinkle extra cinnamon and ground ginger for a warm, cozy autumn-inspired cookie. Top with maple-infused cream cheese frosting for extra indulgence.

Carrot Cake Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Carrot cake cookies blend classic dessert flavors into a handheld treat perfect for sweet cravings. Spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, these delightful cookies offer a delicious twist that you’ll want to savor with coffee or tea.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 ½ cups finely grated carrots
• 1 cup (100 grams) old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup (200 grams) California Raisins
• 1 cup (80 grams) unsweetened coconut

Dry Ingredients:

• 2 cups (240 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (200 grams) brown sugar, lightly packed
• 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) baking soda
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) baking powder
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) salt

Frosting Ingredients:

• 6 ounces (170 grams) cream cheese, softened
• 8 tablespoons (113 grams) butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) vanilla extract
• 2 ⅓ cups (270 grams) powdered sugar

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Instructions

1. Arrange the oven rack in the middle position and warm to 350°F, preparing parchment-lined baking sheets for the upcoming cookie transformation.
2. In a spacious mixing vessel, whip the butter and sugars into a pillowy, aerated mixture that captures light and volume.
3. Introduce eggs and vanilla essence, blending thoroughly until the mixture achieves a harmonious, silky consistency.
4. Gradually fold in the dry ingredients – flour, oats, leavening agents, warm cinnamon, and salt – stirring until just combined to maintain the delicate cookie texture.
5. Gently incorporate grated carrots, feathery coconut shreds, and plump raisins, distributing them evenly throughout the dough for a balanced flavor profile.
6. Portion the dough onto prepared sheets using a spoon, spacing each dollop generously to allow spreading, and softly shape with dampened fingertips for uniform rounds.
7. Slide the trays into the preheated oven, baking until edges transform to a golden hue and surfaces lose their glossy sheen, approximately 9-10 minutes.
8. Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet momentarily, then transfer to a cooling rack to achieve complete temperature equilibrium.
9. Craft the creamy frosting by whipping cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until smooth, gradually integrating powdered sugar to create a light, billowy texture.
10. Construct sandwich cookies by generously spreading frosting between two cooled cookie bases, pressing gently to distribute the filling.
11. Permit the frosted cookies to stabilize at room temperature, ensuring the filling sets perfectly before storing in a chilled environment between wax paper layers.

Notes

• Opt for room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth blending and consistent texture in your cookie dough.
• Grate carrots finely to distribute evenly and prevent large chunks that might affect cookie consistency.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and maintain cookie shape.
• Pat raisins dry before adding to prevent excess moisture from making cookies soggy.
• Allow cookies to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and ensure clean, neat sandwich assembly.
• Store frosted cookies in the refrigerator to maintain cream cheese frosting’s stability and prevent spoilage.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 31 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg