Delicious Carrot Cake Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting: A Sweet and Spicy Treat

These Carrot Cake Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting bring the classic flavors of moist carrot cake into a convenient, hand-held treat. Featuring a rich blend of spices, sweet carrots and a decadent cream cheese filling, these cookies offer the perfect balance of texture and taste. Each cookie is studded with warm spices and topped with a luscious glaze that perfectly complements the natural sweetness of the carrots.

Why you'll love it:

The cookies are soft, chewy and full of flavor, making them an irresistible treat for any occasion. The addition of fresh carrots gives a delicious crunch and natural sweetness, while the cream cheese frosting adds a creamy finish that melts in your mouth. These cookies are not only delicious, but also visually appealing, especially if adorned with chopped nuts for extra crunch.

Perfect occasion:

These cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or as a comforting treat to enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee. They're also perfect for Easter celebrations, given their delicious carrot ingredient, or for any fall event where warm spices are appreciated. Wrap them for a charming gift or serve them at a casual gathering to impress your guests with something unique and delicious.

Decorating Tips:

For an attractive presentation, use a piping bag to swirl cream cheese frosting onto each cookie. Edge the cookies with finely chopped walnuts or pecans to add texture and make them even more appealing. Sprinkling a little cinnamon on top of the icing before it hardens can also enhance both the flavor and appearance, making these cookies a feast for the eyes as well as the palate.

Ingredients for cookies:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar (increase to 1/2 cup for sweeter cookies)
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup finely grated carrots
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional for decoration)

Ingredients for the glaze:

• 4 ounces cream cheese
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar (increase to 2/3 cup for a sweeter frosting)
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Cream the room temperature butter with the brown sugar and brown sugar in a large bowl until the mixture is light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until completely incorporated.
4. Stir in flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Gently incorporate the grated carrots.
5. Spread the dough on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing the cookies at least 1 inch apart.
6. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until the edges just begin to brown.
7. Let the cookies cool completely on a cooling rack.
8. For the frosting: Whisk together the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla and cinnamon until smooth and fluffy.
9. Frost the cooled cookies and, if desired, press chopped walnuts around the edges for decoration.

Enjoy these warm and spicy carrot cake cookies with a creamy filling that brings comfort and joy in every bite!