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Carrot Cake Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 14 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Cookies, Easter, Holiday, Recipes, Snacks, Spring, Sweets
Servings 12 servings

Ingredients
  

Cookies

  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened (2 sticks)
  • 1 cup brown sugar packed
  • 2 whole eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup grated carrots (equal to about 2 small carrots) * see notes
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts ** see notes

Frosting

  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups powdered sugar

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 375 and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • In a big bowl using a hand mixer or using the bowl of your standing mixer, cream your butter and brown sugar on high speed until combined. This will take only 1-2 minutes.
  • Then add in your eggs and vanilla extract and mix on low speed until combined.
  • Add in your flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger and salt. Mix on low until combined.
  • Add in your carrots and walnuts and mix on low until the carrots and walnuts have evenly incorporated into the dough.
  • Using a cookie scoop or a spoon, scoop about 1 1/2 - 2 tablespoons sized cookies and place on the baking sheets. Make sure the cookies are a couple inches apart. You should get anywhere from 20-24 cookies depending on the size of them.
  • Bake for 12-14 minutes until golden brown on the bottom of the cookies and the top of the cookies are completely set. Leave on the baking sheet for 5 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • While the cookies are cooling, make your cream cheese frosting. In a big bowl using a handheld mixer or the stand mixer, combine the cream cheese, butter and vanilla. Beat on high until combined.
  • Add in the powder sugar and beat on low until combined.
  • Frost the cool cookies. Each cookie gets a good amount of frosting, so don’t be shy. I simply use a butter knife to frost them, but you can use a piping bag if you prefer. I love to sprinkle them with cinnamon at end.
  • You can store in an airtight container for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to 5. Enjoy!:)

Notes

  • * Do not use pre shredded carrots as they are too thick and dry for these cookies. Grate fresh!
  • ** I put the walnuts as optional but I highly recommend putting them in. They add texture and adds to the taste of the carrot cake flavor! Pecans can also be used here.