Carrot Cake Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

I’ve transformed the classic carrot cake into adorable, bite-sized cookies topped with tangy cream cheese frosting. They’re soft, spiced, and delightfully portable — perfect for snacking or gatherings.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love these cookies because they pack all the nostalgic flavors of carrot cake—warm spices, sweet carrots, and moist texture—into a fun, handheld format. The cream cheese frosting on top adds tang and indulgence, and they’re easier and quicker than baking a full-sized cake.

ingredients

(Had to include it here – here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• all-purpose flour

• baking soda

• ground cinnamon

• ground ginger

• salt

• unsalted butter, softened

• granulated sugar

• brown sugar

• large egg

• vanilla extract

• finely grated carrots

• optional: chopped pecans or walnuts, raisins, shredded coconut

• For the frosting:

• cream cheese, softened

• unsalted butter, softened

• powdered sugar

• vanilla extract

directions

1. Preheat & prep – I preheat my oven to 350 °F (175 °C) and line cookie sheets with parchment paper.

2. Mix dry ingredients – I whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and salt in a bowl.

3. Cream butter and sugars – In a separate bowl, I beat softened butter with granulated and brown sugar until light and fluffy.

4. Add egg and vanilla – I add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.

5. Combine wet and dry – I gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture until just combined.

6. Stir in carrots and extras – I fold in grated carrots and any optional add-ins like nuts or raisins.

7. Scoop cookies – I drop tablespoon-sized scoops of dough onto the prepared sheets, flattening them slightly for even baking.

8. Bake – I bake for 10–12 minutes, until edges are golden and centers are just set.

9. Cool – I let the cookies cool on the sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

10. Frost – I beat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth and pipe or spread onto cooled cookies.

11. Serve – Once frosted, I serve immediately or chill briefly so the frosting sets.

Servings and timing

• Servings: 24 cookies

• Prep time: 15 minutes

• Bake time: 10–12 minutes

• Frosting & assemble time: 10 minutes

• Total time: Approximately 35–40 minutes

Variations

• Spice boost: I add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice for deeper flavor.

• Zesty twist: I stir in a bit of orange zest into the dough or frosting.

• Nutty crunch: I top each cookie with chopped pecans or walnuts before the frosting sets.

• Gluten-free: I use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and slightly reduce baking time.

storage/reheating

I store frosted cookies in a single layer in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. For the best texture, I let them come to room temperature before serving. Unfrosted cookies can be kept at room temperature in a sealed container for up to 3 days.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

I can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. I let it rest at room temperature for 15 minutes before scooping to make it easier to work with.

Can I skip the frosting?

Yes—I skip frosting for a simpler version or lightly dust cookies with powdered sugar instead.

How do I pipe the frosting neatly?

I use a pastry bag fitted with a star tip to swirl frosting onto each cooled cookie. A zipper bag with a corner snipped works well too in a pinch.

Can I freeze these cookies?

Absolutely—I freeze the unbaked scoops on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer bag. I bake from frozen, adding about 2–3 minutes to the bake time. For frosted cookies, I freeze them in a single layer and thaw in the fridge before serving.

Do these cookies spread too much?

I keep an eye on the butter temperature—if it’s too warm, cookies spread a bit more. If needed, I chill the dough for 10 minutes before baking for thicker cookies.

Conclusion

I hope these Carrot Cake Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting bring all the cozy, spiced happiness of carrot cake in a perfectly portable form. They’re ideal for lunchboxes, gatherings, or anytime I crave something sweet and comforting without baking a whole cake. Enjoy every frosted bite!

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