Carrot Cake Cookies (Soft, Spiced & Cream Cheese Filled Option!)

All the cozy flavors of carrot cake — warm spices, shredded carrots, and optional nuts — in soft, chewy cookie form. Perfect with or without cream cheese frosting!

Makes: 18–22 cookies
Bake Temp: 350°F (175°C)
Bake Time: 10–12 minutes

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📝 Ingredients

Cookies

• 1½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour

• ½ tsp baking soda

• ½ tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp salt

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• ¼ tsp nutmeg

• ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened

• ½ cup (100g) brown sugar

• ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar

• 1 large egg

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 cup finely grated carrots (packed but not wet)

• ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

• ¼ cup raisins (optional)

Cream Cheese Frosting (Optional but Delicious!)

• 4 oz (115g) cream cheese, softened

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

• 1 cup powdered sugar

• ½ tsp vanilla extract

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

Step 1: Prep

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

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Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a bowl, whisk together:

• Flour

• Baking soda

• Baking powder

• Salt

• Cinnamon

• Nutmeg

Set aside.

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Step 3: Cream Butter & Sugars

1. Beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (2–3 minutes).

2. Add egg and vanilla; mix until smooth.

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Step 4: Add Carrots

• Stir in grated carrots (pat dry with paper towel if very moist).

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Step 5: Combine

• Gradually mix in dry ingredients until just combined.

• Fold in nuts and raisins if using.

• Do not overmix.

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Step 6: Bake

1. Scoop 1½ tbsp portions onto baking sheet.

2. Bake 10–12 minutes, until edges are set and centers look slightly soft.

3. Cool on pan 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack.

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🧁 Optional: Cream Cheese Frosting

1. Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.

2. Add powdered sugar and vanilla; mix until creamy.

3. Spread or pipe onto cooled cookies.

✨ For sandwich cookies: Spread frosting on one cookie and top with another.

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🧊 Storage

• Unfrosted: Room temperature 3 days

• Frosted: Refrigerate up to 5 days

• Freeze (unfrosted) up to 2 months

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💡 Tips for Perfect Cookies

• Use finely grated carrots for soft texture.

• Don’t overbake — they firm up as they cool.

• Chill dough 30 minutes for thicker cookies.

• Add 2 tbsp crushed pineapple for extra moisture (drained well).

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If you’d like, I can also give you:

• 🥕 Carrot cake cookie bars

• 🍍 Pineapple carrot cake cookies

• 🧁 Carrot cake sandwich cookies

• 💪 Healthier oatmeal carrot cake cookies

Which one would you like next? 😊