Description
Soft, spiced cookies that capture the essence of carrot cake.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups grated carrots (about 2 medium)
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
- For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Stir in the grated carrots and chopped nuts, if using.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the cookies cool, prepare the cream cheese frosting. In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth.
- Beat in the vanilla extract. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until the frosting is smooth and creamy.
- Once the cookies are completely cool, spread or pipe the cream cheese frosting onto the bottoms of half the cookies, then top with the remaining cookies to make sandwiches.
Notes
- For softer cookies, do not overbake.
- Ensure your cream cheese and butter are at room temperature for smooth frosting.
- Store cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 12 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: carrot cake cookies, spiced cookies, soft cookies, cream cheese frosting, easy cookie recipe, fall baking