Carrot Cake Cookies

These decadent carrot cake cookies are a dream come true with a sweet, soft, and nutty cookie topped with rich, velvety cream cheese icing. They are irresistible and taste just like an old-fashioned carrot cake in a tasty cookie form.

Carrot Cake Cookies Ingredients

Substitutions And Additions

CREAM CHEESE: Full-fat cream cheese is the best choice for the frosting, but a reduced-fat version could be substituted instead.

RAISINS: If you want to replace the pecans in this carrot cookie recipe, you could add one cup of golden or sultana raisins in their place.

If you would like to reduce the number of nuts, you could add a half cup of golden or sultana raisins and a half cup of pecans instead.

NUTMEG: If you’re out of nutmeg, a pinch of ground allspice or ground cloves can be a suitable substitute.

These spices offer warm, earthy notes that complement the other flavors in the cookie.

VANILLA EXTRACT: While vanilla extract is a common ingredient, you can customize your cookies by using almond extract or even a touch of orange extract for a unique flavor dimension.

How To Make This Carrot Cookies Recipe

These soft cookies come together just like any simple cookie dough recipe. Once baked, take the cookies to the next level with the creamy frosting and crunchy pecans around the edges of the cookies.

For The Cookies

STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

STEP TWO: Using a stand mixer or a handheld electric mixer and a medium bowl, beat the butter on medium-high for 1 to 1½ minutes.

STEP THREE: Add both the granulated sugar and the brown sugar to the butter and continue mixing for one more minute.

STEP FOUR: Reduce the mixer speed to low, and add the vanilla and one egg at a time, mixing well after each egg.

STEP FIVE: In a separate medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, spices, and baking soda.

STEP SIX: With the mixer speed still on low, gradually add the flour mixture, mixing just until the dry ingredients are incorporated.

STEP SEVEN: Keep the mixer on low and add the finely shredded carrots and chopped pecans to the batter, mixing only until well incorporated.

STEP EIGHT: Using a 1½-tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop the dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Each cookie should be spaced two inches apart.

STEP NINE: Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Allow them to cool completely.

For The Frosting

STEP ONE: With either a stand mixer or hand mixer and a medium-sized mixing bowl on medium-high speed, cream together the cream cheese and butter for 1 to 1½ minutes.

STEP TWO: Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the vanilla and powdered sugar, keeping the mixer on low until the powdered sugar is incorporated.

Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and continue mixing for 1 to 1½ minutes until the cream cheese frosting is smooth.

STEP THREE: Using a small offset spatula or silicone spatula, frost the tops of the cooled cookies, smoothing as you go. 

Make sure to frost right to the edge of the cookies.

STEP FOUR: Sprinkle the finely chopped pecans onto a plate. Gently roll the edges of the cookies in the pecans.

STEP FIVE (optional): If you would like to decorate your cookies with piped carrot decorations, reserve two ½-cup portions of frosting in two separate small mixing bowls.

In the first bowl, add green food coloring adjusted to however light or dark green you would like for the carrot tops.

In the second bowl, add orange food coloring to however light or dark orange you would like for the carrot body.

STEP SIX: Spoon each color into two separate quart-size Ziploc bags with a small snip in one corner or in two decorator bags with a small decorator’s tip.

Using even, light pressure, form the body of the carrot using a zig-zag pattern with the orange icing.

Using even light pressure, form the top of the carrot with the green icing. Repeat for each cookie.

How To Serve

Carrot cake lovers will enjoy these chewy cookies with a cold glass of milk, a warm cup of tea, or a mug of homemade hot chocolate for a yummy bedtime treat.

For something a bit more indulgent, consider pairing them with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

A carrot cookie would be a cute treat for your little people during Easter when they are looking for a quick snack.

If you would like to try carrot cake in a cupcake form, try our carrot cake cupcakes or if you want to go all out and these cookies make you crave a classic cake, try our carrot cake recipe.

Storing These Carrot Cake Cookies With Cream Cheese Frosting

Make the cookie dough ahead of time so that when the craziness of the Easter holiday arrives, all you need to do is bake and decorate these sweet cookies.

MAKE AHEAD: If you’re short on time or simply want to plan ahead, you can prepare the cookie dough in advance.

After mixing the dough, shape it into cookie-sized rounds and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Then, pop the whole sheet into the freezer until the dough is firm. Once frozen, transfer the cookie dough rounds to a zip-top bag or an airtight container.

When you’re ready to bake, simply preheat your oven and bake the frozen cookie dough rounds for a couple of extra minutes – no need to thaw.

IN THE FRIDGE: Since the homemade cream cheese frosting is dairy-based, store the leftover carrot cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.

IN THE FREEZER: The cookie dough can be frozen for up to one month. Allow the dough to thaw completely before baking.

The baked cookies can also be frozen for up to one month before decorating. Allow dough to thaw completely first.

Why We Love This Recipe

MAKE-AHEAD AND FREEZER-FRIENDLY: The recipe offers the option to prepare the cookie dough ahead of time and freeze it. This means you can have freshly baked cookies whenever you desire, making it a convenient treat for busy schedules.

PERFECT FOR ANY OCCASION: Carrot cake cookies are versatile and can be enjoyed year-round. They make a delightful addition to picnics, potlucks, holiday gatherings, or simply as a sweet treat to satisfy your carrot cake cravings without the need for a whole cake.

IRRESISTIBLE FLAVOR: These cookies combine the warm, comforting flavors of classic carrot cake with the convenience of handheld cookies. The sweet spices, grated carrots, and cream cheese frosting come together to create a perfect flavor fusion that’s hard to resist.

The sweet and spiced carrot cake flavor is such a traditional and cozy taste. These delicious and easy carrot cake cookies with sweet cream cheese frosting are the best way to sneak in a serving of veggies while enjoying an indulgent treat. 

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