Carrot Cake Cookies
Desserts | Published Apr 1, 2021 | Updated Apr 1, 2021 | By Tawnie
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my privacy policy.
Carrot Cake Cookies are perfect for Easter and Spring time!
These Carrot Cake recipes – Carrot Cake Bars, Carrot Cake Bread and Carrot Cake Oatmeal – are other favorites to make around this time of year.
Table of contents
This recipe is essentially everything you love about carrot cake but in cookie form!
Most of the flavor comes from the cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar and carrots and the velvety cream cheese frosting is the perfect finishing touch.
These cookies have a super moist crumb, are soft and chewy, and are wonderfully spiced, just like carrot cake. You won’t be able to resist them!

Ingredient Notes
These cookies require some basic baking ingredients, plus a couple you might need to grab at the store. If you don’t have cake flour that’s OK! Just use more All-Purpose flour in it’s place.

- Quick 1-minute oats: use gluten free oats if needed.
- Vanilla Pudding Mix (Instant 3.4 oz.): secret ingredient to make these cookies ultra moist!
- Ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg: because carrot cake, duh.
- Cornstarch: I love adding cornstarch to make thick, chewy cookies!
- Eggs: you’ll need 2 eggs and 2 egg yolks.
- Vanilla Extract
- Carrots: see tips and tricks below for how I like to grate my carrots!
Step by Step Directions
These cookies are pretty similar to how I make most of my cookie recipes. Once you’ve got that basic method down, you’ll handle cookie baking like a pro!

- Cream the butter and sugars until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs and vanilla and beat until smooth.
- Add in the dry ingredients.
- Lastly, stir in carrots. Mix just until combined.
- Bake and allow cookies to cool completely while you make the cream cheese frosting.
- Once cookies are frosted, garnish with toasted pecans, chopped walnuts, or a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Tips and Tricks
- Use a cookie scoop: The dough is a pretty wet dough. I recommend that or using lightly floured hands to roll cookies into their shape. Plus, the scoop makes uniform cookies!
- Finely grate the carrots. I actually use a microplane zester to get ultra-fine shreds and this method actually adds moisture to the cookies. Alternatively, you can use a box grater (use the small holes) and then chop them to make the carrot shreds nice and small.
- Do not use the pre-grated matchstick carrots. They are too big and thick for these cookies.
- Use the quick 1 minute oats, not the old-fashioned rolled oats. I find the quick 1 minute oats result in a better crumb, and the old-fashioned oats dry out the cookie.
- Bake cookies just until edges are golden brown. To keep these cookies soft and cake-like, you’ll want to be sure not to over bake them. I always say slightly under-baked is best. (Baking time can also vary depending on size of cookies).

the goods
More of our favorite Spring recipes:
PS If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback! You can also follow me on Pinterest or Instagram. Sign up for my email list, too!


Carrot Cake Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 cups All-purpose flour
- 1 cup Cake flour
- 1 cup quick 1 minute oats
- 1 (3.4oz.) box Instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 tsp. cornstarch
- 2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
- 16 Tbsp. unsalted butter, cold (2 sticks)
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 large egg yolks (no whites)
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 cup finely grated carrots (about 2 large carrots)
For the cream cheese frosting:
- 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 8 Tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups confectioners sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, cake flour, oats, pudding mix, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.
- With a stand or hand held mixture, cream together the butter and sugars for ~4 minutes or until light and fluffy.
- Add in the eggs, egg yolks and vanilla extract. Mix until blended, scraping down the sides as needed.
- Gradually add in the dry ingredients on low speed. Lastly add in the grated carrots and mix just until combined. Dough will be wet/sticky.
- Using a cookie scoop, scoop dough onto a cookie sheet or baking sheet. (6 cookies per baking sheet). Bake for 12-14 minutes or until lightly golden around the edges. Be careful not to over bake them, slightly under baked cookies will be soft and cake-like! Remove from oven and let cool completely.
- Make the cream cheese frosting: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Then add in the softened butter and combine until smooth. Add in the vanilla extract, salt and gradually add in the confectioners sugar and beat until frosting is smooth.
- Frost cookies and garnish with chopped pecans/walnuts and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Video
Notes
- Add in raisins or chopped nuts into the batter if desired. (~1 cup)
- Do not use the pre-grated matchstick carrots. They are too big and thick for these cookies.
- Use the quick 1 minute oats, not the old-fashioned rolled oats. I find the quick 1 minute oats result in a better crumb, and the old-fashioned oats dry out the cookie.
- Cookies stay fresh covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Nutrition
Hi, I’m Tawnie!
Welcome to my tiny “korner” on the Internet! I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who loves cookies as much as kale. (OK, maybe I like cookies a little bit more but shh, don’t tell anyone). I am so glad you’re here! Follow along for hassle free, realistic and approachable recipes.
More about Tawnie
I have not made these yet, but I’ve made numerous other recipes. I want to try a gluten free version of this cookie? Can I swap out the flour for Bob Red Mill 1-1?
Yes! Love that flour for a gf option! Works perfectly.
So good! My dad can be a tough critic, and he loved these! A great way to get your carrot cake fix without having to bake a whole cake!
ooooo thanks to your Dad! 🙂 Love the photo!
Hi, Tawnie! Are these cookies able to be frozen?
Hi Abby 🙂 Yes, I would recommend freezing without the cream cheese frosting and once you’re ready to enjoy or serve them, frost them at that time. I hope you love them! xo, Tawnie
Will the recipe still work the same if I omit the oats? Thanks!!
Hi Larisaa! I love your name by the way 🙂 I have not tested this recipe without using oats. The batter might be sticky if you omit them, in that case I would add more flour. So sorry I can’t be of better help, I hope you love them! xo, Tawnie
Hi I’m from the Philippines, what will I substitute with the Instant Pudding Mix it is not/rarely available in the baking stores here? Thanks
Hi there, I am so sorry I am not sure what substitute would be comparable. The pudding mix adds moisture so maybe decrease flour a little bit so they aren’t dry!
The cake is great but these are spectacular, I love how you can eat one not a whole big slice and be satisfied. These were terrific for breakfast also on the go!
These cookies are so inventive and tasty. Thanks!
So glad you enjoyed, thank you!!
These cookies are super soft with all of my favorite carrot cake flavors. I could eat the cream cheese frosting all on its own!
Amazing ideas, my favorite carrot cake in cookie form! These cookies look amazing, and will be perfect with a nice hot cup of tea.
I love the cookie toppings. It really makes them even more special. Yum!