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!
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).
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.
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.
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