Description

Delight in these moist and flavorful Carrot Cake Cookies, packed with warm spices, grated carrots, and your choice of raisins or walnuts. Perfectly soft yet slightly crisp at the edges, these cookies bring all the beloved flavors of classic carrot cake into a convenient handheld treat. Ideal for snack time or dessert, they bake up quickly and offer a wholesome twist on traditional sweets.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Mix-ins

1 cup grated carrots
1/2 cup raisins or walnuts (optional)

Instructions

Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until evenly mixed. This ensures the spices and leavening agent are well distributed.
Cream Butter and Sugars: In a separate large bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter with the brown and granulated sugars until smooth and fluffy. Then beat in the egg followed by the vanilla extract to incorporate moisture and flavor.
Mix Dry into Wet and Add Carrots & Mix-ins: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently to combine. Fold in the grated carrots along with optional raisins or walnuts, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Scoop and Bake: Drop spoonfuls of the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them apart to allow for spreading. Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set.
Cool Before Serving: Remove the cookies from the oven and transfer them onto a wire rack to cool completely. This step allows the cookies to firm up and develop their perfect texture before enjoying.

Notes

You can substitute walnuts or raisins based on your preference or omit them completely for a nut-free version.
Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature for easier creaming with sugars.
Use fresh grated carrots for the best texture and moisture content in the cookies.
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
For a slightly healthier twist, whole wheat flour can replace all-purpose flour, but the texture may vary.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Carrot cake cookies, holiday cookies, spiced cookies, easy dessert, carrot dessert