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Carrot Cake Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Delilah Cooks

Carrot Cake Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Carrot cake cookies with cream cheese frosting are soft, sweet, and full of warm spices. They have the classic taste of carrot cake in a fun cookie form.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 32 minutes
Servings: 18
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 240

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter softened
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup white sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • cups finely grated carrots
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts optional
  • ½ cup rolled oats
  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Method
 

Cooking Instructions
    Prepare the Oven
    1. Preheat your oven to 350°F or 175°C. Line baking trays with parchment paper so the cookies bake evenly and do not stick.
    Mix the Dry Ingredients
    1. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Stir everything well until evenly mixed.
    Cream Butter and Sugar
    1. Beat softened butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and smooth.
    Add Wet Ingredients
    1. Mix in the egg and vanilla extract. Beat until fully combined and the mixture looks creamy and soft.
    Add Carrots and Oats
    1. Fold in grated carrots, rolled oats, and chopped walnuts if using. Stir gently to keep the mixture light.
    Combine Everything
    1. Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Mix until a soft cookie dough forms without overmixing.
    Scoop the Dough
    1. Use a cookie scoop or spoon to place equal portions onto the prepared baking sheet. Leave space between each cookie.
    Bake the Cookies
    1. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are lightly golden while the centers stay soft.
    Cool Completely
    1. Let the cookies rest on the baking tray for five minutes. Transfer them to a cooling rack until fully cooled.
    Make the Frosting
    1. Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Mix until fluffy and creamy.
    Frost the Cookies
    1. Spread or pipe cream cheese frosting onto each cooled cookie. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts or cinnamon if desired.

    Notes

    • Use freshly grated carrots instead of packaged ones.
    • Measure flour correctly for soft cookies.
    • Do not overmix the cookie dough.
    • Let butter soften naturally before mixing.
    • Cool cookies completely before frosting.
    • Chill the frosting if it becomes too soft.
    • Use a cookie scoop for even baking.
    • Add raisins for extra sweetness if you like.
    • Toast walnuts for deeper flavor.
    • Store leftovers in the refrigerator.