Delicious Carrot Cake Cookies with Cream Cheese Icing: The Perfect Spring Treat

Craving the delightful flavors of carrot cake but looking for a quicker and more portable treat? Look no further! These Carrot Cake Cookies bring together all the classic tastes you love in a moist, spiced cookie, topped with a tangy cream cheese icing. Get ready to indulge in these chewy, flavorful cookies that are perfect for any occasion.

Why You’ll Love These Carrot Cake Cookies

These carrot cake cookies are a delightful twist on a classic dessert, offering a convenient and delicious way to enjoy the flavors of carrot cake. Here’s why you’ll fall in love with them:

• Easier and Quicker than Carrot Cake: Forget about the fuss of layering and frosting a traditional carrot cake. These cookies are incredibly easy to make and come together quickly, giving you all the satisfying carrot cake flavor without the hassle. Perfect for a weeknight treat or a last-minute dessert for guests.
• Perfectly Portable: These cookies are ideal for on-the-go snacking. Pack them in lunch boxes, take them on picnics, or simply enjoy them as a sweet treat whenever you need a little pick-me-up. Their portability makes them a convenient option for busy lifestyles.
• Moist and Chewy Texture: The secret to these cookies’ incredible texture lies in the addition of crushed pineapple and shredded carrots. These ingredients work together to create an incredibly moist and chewy cookie that’s simply irresistible. The moisture also helps keep the cookies soft for days.
• Warm Spices: These cookies are loaded with warm spices like cinnamon and allspice, giving them that classic carrot cake flavor. The combination of spices creates a comforting and aromatic experience that will tantalize your taste buds. The spices also add depth and complexity to the overall flavor profile.
• Nutty Crunch: The addition of chopped walnuts provides a satisfying crunch that complements the soft and tender cookie. The walnuts not only add texture but also enhance the flavor, creating a more complex and enjoyable treat. You can also substitute with pecans for a different flavor.

What makes carrot cake, and carrot cake cookies, truly special is the inclusion of pineapple. Pineapple lends sweetness, a subtle tang, and helps retain moisture, resulting in a perfectly balanced and delectable treat. And just like a traditional carrot cake, these cookies are topped with a luscious, tangy cream cheese glaze.

You don’t need any fancy equipment or hard-to-find ingredients to make these cookies. All you need are some pantry staples, fresh carrots, and a handful of spices. The cream cheese icing is made with a few simple ingredients, resulting in a dreamy topping.

These carrot cake cookies are the perfect way to enjoy a classic springtime dessert without the need for forks or plates. They’re easy to make, portable, and bursting with flavor, making them the ideal treat for any occasion. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or simply want a delicious snack, these cookies are sure to impress.

Here’s what you’ll need to create these delectable carrot cake cookies:

• Butter: Use softened unsalted butter for easy creaming with the sugar. Unsalted butter allows you to control the final salt content in the cookies.
• Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds moisture and a caramel-like flavor to the cookies.
• Eggs: Eggs bind the ingredients together and provide structure to the cookies.
• Crushed Pineapple: Drained crushed pineapple adds sweetness, tang, and moisture. Be sure to drain it well to prevent excess moisture in the dough.
• Carrots: Finely grated carrots provide the signature carrot cake flavor and add moisture.
• All-Purpose Flour: All-purpose flour provides the structure for the cookies.
• Baking Powder and Baking Soda: This combination ensures the cookies rise perfectly and stay soft and chewy.
• Cinnamon and Allspice: These warm spices provide the signature carrot cake flavor.
• Walnuts: Chopped walnuts add a satisfying crunch. Feel free to substitute with pecans if preferred.

For the cream cheese glaze, you’ll need powdered sugar, cream cheese, whole milk, and vanilla extract. These ingredients come together to create a rich and tangy topping that perfectly complements the spiced cookies.

Since this dough doesn’t require chilling, it’s important to use cold eggs. This helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking, ensuring they maintain their shape and texture.

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Follow these easy steps to bake your own batch of delicious carrot cake cookies:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats (Silpat) to prevent the cookies from sticking.
2. Cream together butter and sugar: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3 minutes.
3. Add eggs, pineapple, and carrots: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, add the drained crushed pineapple and grated carrots, mixing until just combined.
4. Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and allspice.
5. Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Stir in the chopped walnuts.

6. Scoop and bake the cookies: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
7. Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Prepare the cream cheese icing: While the cookies are cooling, make the icing. In a bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.

9. Frost the cookies: Once the cookies are completely cool, spread the cream cheese icing evenly over the tops. Let the icing set before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions About Carrot Cake Cookies

More Spring Dessert Ideas

If you’re looking for more delightful spring desserts, be sure to check out these other delicious recipes:

• Glazed Lemon Pound Cake
• Chocolate Mousse with Strawberry “Carrots”
• Strawberry Rhubarb Turnovers
• Easy Lemon Cheesecake Bars
• Banana Pudding
• Or any of these Best Spring Dessert Recipes!

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