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Carrot Cake Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

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Soft, spiced carrot cake–inspired cookies topped with tangy cream cheese frosting—portable, cozy, and perfect for snacking or parties.

  • Author: Emma
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Total Time: 35–40 minutes
  • Yield: 24 cookies
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup finely grated carrots
  • Optional: 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts, raisins, or shredded coconut
  • For the frosting:
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and salt in a bowl.
  3. In another bowl, beat softened butter with both sugars until light and fluffy.
  4. Add egg and vanilla to the butter mixture and mix until smooth.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture until just combined.
  6. Fold in grated carrots and any optional mix-ins (nuts, raisins, coconut).
  7. Drop tablespoon-sized scoops of dough onto the prepared sheets and flatten slightly.
  8. Bake for 10–12 minutes, until edges are golden and centers are set.
  9. Cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. For the frosting: beat together cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
  11. Pipe or spread frosting onto cooled cookies and serve, or chill briefly for the frosting to set.

Notes

  • Add nutmeg or allspice for deeper spice flavor.
  • Stir in orange zest to the dough or frosting for a citrus twist.
  • Top frosted cookies with chopped pecans or walnuts for extra crunch.
  • Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend to make them gluten-free.
  • Chill dough 10 minutes before baking to prevent spreading too much.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://allcookedup.com/carrot-cake-cookies-with-cream-cheese-frosting/