Carrot Cake Cookies Recipe – Soft, chewy, and packed with warm spices, carrots, and nuts, topped with cream cheese frosting! A perfect treat!

Scale

½ cup unsalted butter, softened

½ cup granulated sugar

½ cup packed brown sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1½ cups all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 cup shredded carrots (about 2 medium carrots)

½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

½ cup raisins (optional)

4 oz cream cheese, softened

¼ cup unsalted butter, softened

1½ cups powdered sugar

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Fold in the shredded carrots, and if using, the chopped nuts and raisins.
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
While the cookies are cooling, prepare the cream cheese frosting. In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth.
Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until the frosting is light and fluffy. Mix in the vanilla extract.
Once the cookies are completely cool, spread a generous amount of frosting on the top of each cookie.

Perfect Texture Tip: For extra chewy cookies, slightly underbake them and let them cool on the baking sheet to finish setting.
Flavor Boost: Add a handful of raisins or shredded coconut for extra sweetness and texture, just like a classic carrot cake!

Keywords: Carrot Cake Cookies Recipe