Imagine all the flavors of a classic carrot cake packed into a soft, chewy cookie! These Carrot Cake Cookies are the perfect combination of warm spices, shredded carrots, and a hint of sweetness from raisins or walnuts. With a creamy cream cheese frosting sandwiched between them, they’re everything you love about carrot cake in a fun, handheld dessert.

This recipe quickly became a favorite in our household, especially around springtime and Easter. These cookies are easy to make, full of flavor, and ideal for sharing. Let’s dive into the recipe!

Why You’ll Love These Carrot Cake Cookies

These Carrot Cake Cookies are everything you love about traditional carrot cake in a soft, delicious cookie. Here’s why this recipe is bound to become a favorite:

First, they’re incredibly soft and chewy. Thanks to the shredded carrots and a blend of brown and white sugars, each bite is tender and moist, just like the best carrot cakes.

These cookies are perfectly spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of ginger. The spices bring warmth to the cookie, pairing beautifully with the sweet carrots and creamy frosting.

They’re fun and easy to make, too! Unlike a full-sized carrot cake, these cookies come together in just a few steps, and there’s no need for baking pans or complex layering.

Finally, these cookies store well and are great for gifting. You can make them ahead of time, keep them in the fridge, and they’ll stay soft and flavorful for days. Plus, they make a charming addition to any dessert table!

Ingredients Notes

The key to perfect Carrot Cake Cookies is a handful of flavorful ingredients that create a soft, spiced cookie. Here’s what you’ll need:

Carrots: Freshly grated carrots are essential for texture and moisture. Finely grate them for the best consistency, as large chunks may prevent the cookies from baking evenly.
Brown Sugar and Granulated Sugar: A blend of sugars helps keep the cookies moist and chewy. The brown sugar adds a slight molasses flavor that complements the spices beautifully.
Spices: A combination of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger adds the warm, classic carrot cake flavor. You can adjust the spices to suit your taste.
Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: Oats add a bit of texture and heartiness to the cookies. Be sure to use rolled oats, not quick oats, as they help give the cookie structure and chewiness.
Raisins or Chopped Walnuts (Optional): For extra texture and sweetness, you can add raisins or chopped walnuts to the dough. These are optional but add that extra carrot cake feel!
Cream Cheese: For the filling, cream cheese is whipped with powdered sugar and vanilla to create a rich, tangy frosting that pairs perfectly with the spiced cookies.

For this recipe, you’ll need a couple of mixing bowls, a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, and a cooling rack.

How to Make Carrot Cake Cookies

These Carrot Cake Cookies come together in a few easy steps. Here’s how to make them from start to finish:

Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract, then stir in the grated carrots.
Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, rolled oats, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. If you’re adding raisins or walnuts, fold them in at this stage.
Chill the Dough: Cover the dough and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Chilling helps the cookies maintain their shape while baking and enhances the flavors.
Bake the Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers are set. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat together softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. If the frosting is too thick, you can add a little milk for a smoother consistency.
Assemble the Sandwich Cookies: Once the cookies are completely cool, spread or pipe a generous layer of cream cheese frosting on the flat side of one cookie, then sandwich it with another cookie. Repeat with the remaining cookies and frosting.

These cookies are ready to enjoy right away, but a quick chill in the fridge helps the frosting set for a firmer, less messy bite.

Storage Options

To keep your Carrot Cake Cookies fresh, here’s how to store them:

Refrigerator: Because of the cream cheese frosting, store these cookies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. They’ll stay soft and flavorful, and the frosting will hold up well.
Freezer: These cookies freeze beautifully. Wrap each cookie sandwich individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
Serving Tip: For the best flavor and texture, let refrigerated cookies sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving.

Variations and Substitutions

These Carrot Cake Cookies are flexible, so feel free to put your own spin on them. Here are some ideas:

Add Coconut Flakes: For a tropical twist, add ¼ cup of shredded coconut to the dough. Coconut adds a bit of texture and pairs well with the spices and carrot.
Pineapple Carrot Cake Cookies: Mix in a few tablespoons of crushed, drained pineapple to add extra moisture and sweetness to the cookies. Be sure to squeeze out as much juice as possible to avoid overly wet dough.
Maple Cream Cheese Frosting: Substitute a little of the powdered sugar in the frosting with maple syrup for a warm, sweet twist. The hint of maple complements the spices beautifully.
Gluten-Free Option: Use a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour. Be sure to check that your oats are certified gluten-free as well.
Nut-Free Version: If you’re avoiding nuts, simply omit the walnuts. You can add more raisins or coconut if you’d like extra texture.

These cookies are highly customizable, so don’t hesitate to get creative and make them your own!

Conclousion

These Carrot Cake Cookies are a delightful way to enjoy all the flavors of a classic carrot cake without the fuss. They’re perfect for spring gatherings, afternoon treats, or just because. Give them a try, and watch them disappear!