Carrot Cake Cookies

Total Time Prep: 30 min. Bake: 10 min./batch + cooling
Yield about 4-1/2 dozen
Test Kitchen Approved
Carrot cake cookies combine the classic flavors of carrot cake in a hand-held spiced treat. Shredded carrots, crushed pineapple and a tangy cream cheese frosting are the not-so-secret ingredients.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 medium carrot, shredded
  • 1/2 cup crushed pineapple, drained and patted dry
  • 1/2 cup golden raisins
  • FROSTING:
  • 6 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 3-3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons 2% milk
  • Toasted chopped walnuts, optional

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream butter, sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in eggs and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Stir in carrot, pineapple and raisins.
  2. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake 10-12 minutes or until light brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
  3. In a small bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar, vanilla and enough milk to reach a spreading consistency. Frost cookies. If desired, sprinkle with walnuts. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts

1 cookie: 129 calories, 4g fat (3g saturated fat), 18mg cholesterol, 81mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.

I took my favorite carrot cake recipe and slightly tweaked it to make cookies. Just like the cake, the yummy bites are filled with shredded carrot, pineapple and raisins—and topped with a homemade cream cheese frosting. —Lawrence Earl, Sumner, Michigan
Recipe Creator

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