What is the secret ingredient in carrot cake?

While carrot cake has many bold flavors, the secret ingredient is often the grated carrots themselves. They add natural sweetness and moisture. In this carrot cake cookies recipe, the carrots not only provide flavor but also help keep the cookies soft and chewy.

What are carrot cookies?

Carrot cookies are soft-baked treats made with grated carrots, warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and often oats or nuts. This carrot cake cookies recipe takes inspiration from traditional carrot cake but reimagines it in cookie form for easier sharing and serving.

Why is it called divorce carrot cake?

"Divorce carrot cake" is a playful nickname for an ultra-delicious carrot cake that’s so good, people joke it could start or end relationships. While that name doesn’t apply to every recipe, this carrot cake cookies recipe might just earn similar reactions—because it’s hard to stop at one bite.

Can I use cake mix for cookies?

Yes, cake mix can be a convenient shortcut. In fact, there’s a simple version of this carrot cake cookies recipe that starts with boxed carrot cake mix. You just add eggs, oil, and some fresh grated carrots for a quick but flavorful bake.

Carrot Cake Cookies Recipe: 5 Soft Spring Desserts to Love

Name: Carrot Cake Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Yield: 24 cookies
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2¼ cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; ¾ teaspoon kosher salt; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; ½ teaspoon ground ginger; ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup light brown sugar, packed; ½ cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg, room temperature; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1 cup grated carrot (about 2 medium carrots); 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats; ½ cup finely chopped pecans (optional); 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature; ½ cup unsalted butter, softened; 2 cups powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Description

This soft, chewy carrot cake cookies recipe combines fresh grated carrots, oats, and warm spices topped with a rich cream cheese frosting. Perfect for spring gatherings or any time you crave carrot cake in cookie form.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cookies:

2¼ cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

¾ teaspoon kosher salt

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground ginger

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup light brown sugar, packed

½ cup granulated sugar

1 large egg, room temperature

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup grated carrot (about 2 medium carrots)

1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats

½ cup finely chopped pecans (optional)

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

½ cup unsalted butter, softened

2 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. In a bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.

3. In another bowl, beat butter and sugars until fluffy.

4. Add egg and vanilla. Mix until smooth.

5. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture.

6. Fold in grated carrots, oats, and pecans.

7. Scoop dough into 1½ tablespoon portions. Place on baking sheets.

8. Bake for 12 minutes or until edges are golden.

9. Cool on pan briefly, then transfer to wire rack.

10. For the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.

11. Add powdered sugar slowly, then mix in vanilla.

12. Frost cooled cookies and serve.

Notes

Use freshly grated carrots for best texture.

If dough is sticky, chill for 15 minutes before scooping.

Unfrosted cookies freeze well for up to 2 months.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cookie
Calories: 210
Sugar: 18g
Sodium: 95mg
Fat: 11g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 25g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 25mg