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Carrot cake cookies on metal cooling rack, some with frosting on top
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5 from 68 votes

Carrot Cake Cookies Recipe

These Carrot Cake Cookies are soft, tender, loaded with shredded carrots, and topped with a fantastic cream cheese frosting. They taste just like carrot cake!
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 20 cookies
Calories: 212kcal
Author: Dorothy Kern
Cost: $5

Ingredients

Cookies

  • 1 ¾ cups (217g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup (150g) packed brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (90g) shredded carrots (see note)
  • ½ cup (56g) chopped pecans or walnuts

Frosting

  • 4 tablespoons (57g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 ounces (112g) cream cheese, room temperature
  • cups (170g) powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
  • In a small bowl, whisk flour with baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Set aside.
  • Cream butter and brown sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer 1-2 minutes. Mix in egg and vanilla until smooth.
  • Add dry ingredients to wet and mix until smooth. Stir in carrots and nuts.
  • Scoop 2 tablespoon size balls onto cookie sheets 2-inches apart. Lightly flatten with the palms of your hand.
  • Bake for 13-16 minutes or until no longer glossy. Cool before frosting.
  • To make frosting: beat butter and cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth. Slowly mix in powdered sugar then add vanilla and salt. Beat on medium high speed until smooth.
  • Frost cookies as desired, top with a dusting of cinnamon or finely chopped nuts.
  • Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze (frosted or unfrosted) for up to 2 months.

Notes

  • Be sure to shred your own carrots - don't use the pre-shredded kind. Also - don't pack them in the measuring cup.
  • You can use walnuts or pecans in this recipe or omit them. Substitute/add raisins if you want!

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 212kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 33mg | Sodium: 145mg | Potassium: 68mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 1371IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg