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Easiest Carrot Cake Cookies

These Easiest Carrot Cake Cookies combine the sweetness of carrots with warm spices for a delightful treat perfect for any cookie lover.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 24 cookies
Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the cookies

  • 2 large large carrots, peeled and finely grated Ensure they are finely grated.
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ½ cup unsalted butter Softened.
  • cup light brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup real maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup chopped pecans, walnuts, or pistachios Optional.
  • cup raisins, finely chopped Optional.
  • ½ cup dessicated coconut Optional.

For the cream cheese frosting

  • 4 oz block full-fat cream cheese Softened.
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter Softened.
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • a pinch salt

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Start by prepping your carrots. Spread finely grated carrots on a parchment-lined sheet pan and dehydrate them in a low oven.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and the dried carrot shreds.
  • In a mixer, beat the unsalted butter and light brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the maple syrup, egg, and vanilla extract, mixing until just combined.
  • Gradually mix in the flour mixture until combined. Fold in pecans and raisins by hand.
  • Wrap the dough and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

Baking

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Scoop rounded balls onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each. Optional: Roll each ball in shredded coconut.
  • Bake for 9-10 minutes, until edges are golden and tops look set but still soft.

Frosting

  • While cookies cool, prepare the cream cheese frosting by beating together cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually mix in powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.
  • Once cookies are cooled, frost as desired. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.

Notes

For thicker cookies, let the dough chill longer. Store any leftover frosting separately if keeping cookies for more than a day.
Keyword baking, Carrot Cake Cookies, Cookies, Dessert Recipes, Easy Recipes