Indulge in the delightful flavors of carrot cake in cookie form with this easy-to-make Carrot Cake Cookies recipe.
These soft and chewy cookies are packed with all the classic ingredients of a traditional carrot cake, including grated carrots, warm spices, and sweet raisins, all topped off with a creamy cream cheese frosting.
Perfect for enjoying as a sweet snack, dessert, or even as a special treat for Easter or any occasion, these cookies are sure to become a favorite in your household.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup grated carrots
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Hand or stand mixer
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
- Wire rack
Instructions
Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined. Set aside.
Cream Butter and Sugars:
In another mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Add Egg and Vanilla:
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well incorporated.
Incorporate Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Fold in Carrots, Raisins, and Walnuts:
Gently fold in the grated carrots, raisins, and chopped walnuts (if using) until evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough.
Scoop Dough onto Baking Sheet:
Drop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them a few inches apart.
Bake Cookies:
Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
Cool and Frost:
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, frost the cookies with cream cheese frosting.
Serve and Enjoy:
Serve the Carrot Cake Cookies immediately and enjoy the delicious taste of carrot cake in cookie form!
Nutritional Facts
Per Serving (1 cookie):
- Calories: 120
- Total Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sodium: 85mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 17g
- Sugars: 10g
- Protein: 2g
Health Benefits of Carrot Cake Cookies:
Nutrient-Rich Carrots:
Carrots are the star ingredient in carrot cake cookies, and they’re packed with essential nutrients.
Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant that your body converts into vitamin A.
Vitamin A is important for maintaining healthy vision, supporting immune function, and promoting skin health.
Fiber Content:
Carrot cake cookies typically contain grated carrots, which add fiber to the recipe.
Fiber is essential for digestive health and can help regulate bowel movements, prevent constipation, and promote a feeling of fullness.
Including fiber-rich foods like carrots in your diet can also help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Antioxidant Properties:
In addition to beta-carotene, carrots contain other antioxidants such as vitamin C and various phytonutrients.
Antioxidants help protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can contribute to chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease.
By incorporating carrots into your carrot cake cookies, you’re adding a dose of antioxidant power to your dessert.
Whole Grain Flour:
Many carrot cake cookie recipes use whole grain flour instead of refined flour, which adds fiber, vitamins, and minerals to the cookies.
Whole grains like whole wheat flour contain the entire grain kernel, including the bran, germ, and endosperm, which provides more nutrients and fiber than refined grains.
Choosing whole grain flour can help stabilize blood sugar levels, improve digestion, and support overall health.
Healthy Fats:
Some carrot cake cookie recipes include ingredients like nuts or seeds, which are excellent sources of healthy fats.
Nuts and seeds contain unsaturated fats, including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are important for brain health, heart health, and reducing inflammation in the body.
Incorporating nuts or seeds into your carrot cake cookies can add texture, flavor, and nutritional benefits.
Reduced Sugar Options:
While traditional carrot cake cookies may be high in sugar, you can modify recipes to reduce the amount of added sugar or use natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup.
Cutting back on sugar can help prevent spikes and crashes in blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of developing insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
Experiment with different sweeteners and adjust the sweetness to suit your taste preferences while still enjoying the delicious flavor of carrot cake cookies.
Conclusion
Overall, while carrot cake cookies may be considered a treat, they can still offer some health benefits when made with nutritious ingredients like carrots, whole grains, nuts, and seeds.
Enjoying these cookies in moderation as part of a balanced diet can add variety to your dessert options while providing essential nutrients and promoting overall well-being.
FAQs
1. Can I substitute whole wheat flour for all-purpose flour in this recipe?
Yes, you can use whole wheat flour for a slightly healthier option, but note that it may affect the texture of the cookies.
2. Can I omit the raisins and walnuts from the recipe?
Absolutely! Feel free to customize the recipe to suit your taste preferences by omitting or substituting the raisins and walnuts.
3. How should I store leftover cookies?
Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
4. Can I freeze the cookie dough for later use?
Yes, you can scoop the cookie dough onto a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer bag for long-term storage. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
5. Can I use pre-made cream cheese frosting for these cookies?
Absolutely! You can use store-bought cream cheese frosting for convenience, or make your own homemade frosting if preferred.