If you adore the cozy flavors of classic carrot cake but want something a little more handheld and portable, this Carrot Cake Cookies Recipe is going to be your new favorite treat. These delightful cookies capture all the warmth of spiced carrot cake, enriched with oats for texture and softened by the sweetness of grated carrots. Whether you enjoy them on their own or sandwiched with a luscious cream cheese frosting, each bite offers that perfect balance of spice, sweetness, and moistness that just feels like a little hug. Trust me, once you try this Carrot Cake Cookies Recipe, you’ll want to bake them again and again for every occasion.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simple yet essential ingredients that work harmoniously to bring out a rich, warmly spiced, and tender cookie. Each element plays a vital role, from the creamy butter that creates softness, to the oats that add a lovely chew, and the grated carrots that keep these cookies moist and flavorful.
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened): Provides richness and a tender crumb to your cookies.
- 3/4 cup brown sugar: Adds natural sweetness and a touch of molasses flavor.
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar: Balances sweetness and helps with cookie structure.
- 2 large eggs: Acts as a binder and adds moisture.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Brings warmth and depth to the flavor.
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour: The base for structure and stability in the cookies.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise slightly and become fluffy.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder: Works with baking soda to give a gentle lift.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Enhances all the sweet and spicy notes.
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon: Supplies that classic spicy warmth.
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg: Adds a subtle nutty spice.
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger: Gives a gentle zing that lifts the other spices.
- 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats: Adds texture and wholesome chewiness.
- 1 1/2 cups finely grated carrots: Keeps the cookies moist and naturally sweet.
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional): For added crunch and nutty richness.
- 1/2 cup raisins (optional): Offers bursts of chewy sweetness.
- 8 ounces cream cheese: For luscious frosting if you decide to make sandwich cookies.
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar: Sweetens and smooths the cream cheese frosting.
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (for filling): Adds that special touch of flavor to the cream cheese filling.
How to Make Carrot Cake Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare your workspace and oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make for easy cleanup. Getting your space ready will let you flow smoothly through the recipe without any last-minute scrambling.
Step 2: Cream butter and sugars
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter together with both brown and granulated sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key for creating a tender cookie with that perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Step 3: Add eggs and vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time followed by the vanilla extract. Mixing these thoroughly ensures you have a smooth, well-emulsified batter to start building your cookie base.
Step 4: Combine dry ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. This blend of dry ingredients evenly distributes the leavening agents and spices throughout the dough for consistent flavor and rise.
Step 5: Incorporate dry ingredients
Gradually add the dry mix to the wet batter, stirring just until combined. Overmixing can make cookies tough, so gentle folds are the way to go here.
Step 6: Stir in oats, carrots, nuts, and raisins
Fold in the old-fashioned oats and finely grated carrots, along with optional chopped nuts and raisins if using. These add irresistible texture and flavor, turning simple cookies into a rich, wholesome snack.
Step 7: Bake the cookies
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for gentle spreading. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are lightly golden and the centers feel set but still soft.
Step 8: Cool and frost (optional)
Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. To make sandwich cookies, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth, then spread between two cookies for a creamy finishing touch.
How to Serve Carrot Cake Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle your carrot cake cookies with a little extra chopped nuts or a dusting of powdered sugar for an inviting look and add a lovely crunch that complements the spiced softness beautifully.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a warm cup of chai tea or a glass of cold milk. The spices and sweetness of the cookies harmonize perfectly with these classic companions to make snack time extra cozy.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties or special occasions, arrange your carrot cake cookies on a rustic wooden board with fresh carrot sticks and small bowls of cream cheese frosting for dipping. This creates a fun and interactive dessert display that guests will love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place uneaten cookies in an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you’ve added cream cheese filling, it’s best to refrigerate the cookies and consume within 5 days to keep the filling fresh.
Freezing
You can freeze baked cookies (without filling) in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. For sandwich cookies, freeze the individual cookies and add the cream cheese filling after thawing to maintain freshness.
Reheating
Warm cookies slightly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a low oven (300°F) for a few minutes. This brings out the cozy spices and softens them just like freshly baked.
FAQs
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and ensure your oats are certified gluten-free. This swap preserves texture and flavor while accommodating gluten sensitivities.
Can I omit the nuts and raisins?
Absolutely! Nuts and raisins are optional and can be left out if you prefer a nut-free version or want a simpler cookie. The cookies will still be moist and flavorful.
How finely should the carrots be grated?
Finely grating the carrots ensures they blend smoothly into the dough, keeping the texture soft and uniform without big chunks. A microplane or fine box grater works great.
What if I don’t have cream cheese for the filling?
You can enjoy these cookies perfectly well without the filling, or swap the cream cheese frosting with a simple dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted white chocolate for a different but delightful finish.
Can these cookies be made dairy-free?
To make a dairy-free version, use a plant-based butter alternative and cream cheese substitute. The texture might be slightly different, but they will still taste delicious and moist.
Final Thoughts
This Carrot Cake Cookies Recipe is truly a little slice of comfort wrapped in a cookie. With a perfect balance of spice, moisture, and texture, it’s an easy recipe to make and share anytime you want to brighten someone’s day or treat yourself. Don’t hesitate to try making them your next baking project—you’ll be amazed at how these simple ingredients come together in such a magical way!
Print
Carrot Cake Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies (12 sandwich cookies)
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these soft and spiced Carrot Cake Cookies, packed with grated carrots, oats, and warm spices, perfect for a cozy dessert or festive treat. Optionally filled with creamy, smooth cream cheese frosting, these sandwich-style cookies offer a delicious twist on classic carrot cake flavors.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1 1/2 cups finely grated carrots
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- 1/2 cup raisins (optional)
Cream Cheese Filling (optional)
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prepare for baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy to ensure a tender cookie base.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs and vanilla extract into the creamed mixture, beating until smooth and fully combined to build the cookie structure.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger to evenly distribute the leavening agents and spices.
- Combine Dry and Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing thoroughly but carefully to avoid overworking the dough, which can make cookies tough.
- Add Oats, Carrots, and Extras: Stir in the old-fashioned oats, finely grated carrots, and if using, the chopped nuts and raisins to add texture and flavor.
- Form Cookies: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden and the centers are set, indicating they are perfectly cooked.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, preventing breakage and ensuring the cookies hold their shape.
- Prepare Filling (Optional): For sandwich cookies, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract together until smooth and creamy to create the filling.
- Assemble Sandwiches: Spread the cream cheese filling on the bottom of one cookie and top with another to form a delightful sandwich cookie.
Notes
- For an even texture, finely grate the carrots before mixing them into the dough.
- These cookies are delicious on their own or enhanced as sandwich cookies with the optional cream cheese frosting.
- If using the cream cheese filling, store the cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep them fresh.
