These carrot cake cookies with cream cheese frosting bring the classic flavors of a moist carrot cake into a convenient, hand-held treat. Featuring a rich mix of spices, sweet carrots, and a decadent cream cheese topping, these cookies offer a perfect balance of texture and taste. Each cookie is studded with warm spices and topped with a luscious frosting that complements the natural sweetness of the carrots beautifully.
Why You'll Love This:
The cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with flavor, making them an irresistible treat for any occasion. The addition of fresh carrots provides a delightful crunch and natural sweetness, while the cream cheese frosting adds a creamy finish that melts in your mouth. These cookies are not just delicious but also visually appealing, especially if adorned with chopped walnuts for an extra crunch.
Perfect Occasion:
These cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or as a comforting treat to enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee. They're also great for Easter celebrations, given their delightful carrot ingredient, or any autumn event where warm spices are appreciated. Pack them up for a charming gift, or serve them at a casual get-together to impress your guests with something uniquely delicious.
Decoration Tips:
For an attractive presentation, use a piping bag to apply the cream cheese frosting in a swirl on top of each cookie. Edge the cookies with finely chopped walnuts or pecans to add texture and make them even more appealing. Sprinkling a little cinnamon on top of the frosting before it sets can also enhance both the flavor and the look, making these cookies a feast for the eyes as well as the palate.
Ingredients for the Cookies:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar (increase to 1/2 cup for sweeter cookies)
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 cup room-temperature unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup finely grated carrots
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional for decorating)
Ingredients for the Frosting:
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (increase to 2/3 cup for a sweeter frosting)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cream the room-temperature butter with granulated and brown sugars in a large bowl until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Stir in the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Gently fold in the grated carrots.
- Scoop the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing the cookies at least 1 inch apart.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to brown.
- Allow the cookies to cool completely on a cooling rack.
- For the frosting: Whip together the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon until smooth and fluffy.
- Frost the cooled cookies and, if desired, press chopped walnuts around the edges for decoration.
Enjoy these warm, spicy carrot cake cookies with a creamy topping that brings comfort and joy with each bite!
