Carrot cake is probably my number one cake flavor, so why not make Carrot Cake Cookies so that you can enjoy those flavors even more? This recipe is a super simple recipe that takes no time to whip up. Make the little carrots for the top with the kids for a fun project too. If you are here for our original recipe, it is still at the bottom, so you can enjoy either.
Want more carrot cake recipes? Then try our Best Carrot Cake Recipe or Easy Carrot Snack Cake. Or for another Easter treat try our Easter Bunny Cupcakes.
These cookies are like little slices of cake, soft and moist, and taste just like carrot cake.
Yes, this is what our new recipe is all about. Super simple to make, plus they are moist, delicious, and smothered with a gorgeous cream cheese icing, and decorated with an easy candy carrot.
Helpful Items For This Recipe
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Piping Bags and Tips Set – 100pcs Disposable Piping Bags, 12 Inch Icing Bags
What is in Carrot Cake Cookies?
You just need to go to your local craft and grocery store for these easy-to-find ingredients.
Ingredients
Carrot Cake Mix – Use your favorite; I do like Betty Crocker or Duncan Hines.
Eggs – Use regular large-sized eggs for this recipe.
Oil – Use a neutral oil like canola for this recipe.
White Frosting – This is a quick recipe, and there is no shaming here using canned frosting. No one will ever know.
Green and Orange Melting Candies – These are easy to find in any craft store.
Piping Bags – When you are buying your candy melts, grab some piping bags, too. I always have a stash of these on hand.
Parchment Paper – This is used to pipe the candy carrots onto.
How to Make Carrot Cake Cookies
Start by adding your cake mix, eggs, and oil to a large mixing bowl. Mix on high until well combined.
Place in the fridge for a half hour.
Scoop out one heaping tablespoon into a ball and place it on a well-greased baking sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes or just until your edges are golden. Let cool completely.
Ice the top of each cookie with your white frosting, either using a piping bag or spreading it on.
Lay a piece of parchment paper out flat. Melt down your melting candies according to the instructions. Place orange in one piping bag and green in the other. Cut a small tip off the end of each bag.
On your parchment paper, take your orange chocolate and make a zigzag motion back and forth, getting smaller and smaller, forming your carrot.
Take your green chocolate and create a stem on top. Place the parchment paper in the freezer for one minute until set.
Peel your carrot off the parchment paper and gently place it on top of your cookie.
Serve and enjoy these super soft, super delicious cookies!
Recipe Pro Tips!
Can I Freeze Carrot Cake Cookies?
Yes, I would freeze them without the carrot decoration, though. You can freeze any leftovers frosted in an air-tight container for up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator.
How to Store Carrot Cake Cookies
Keep the candy carrot off the cookie until ready for serving. Both the cookies and the candy carrots can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator in an air-tight container.
Can I Add Other Ingredients to these Cookies?
Yes, you can add additions to these cookies like raisins, coconut, and pecans or walnuts.
The cream cheese icing on the top is just the right amount to give you that delicious carrot cake taste, too.
The Easter bunny or anyone would be thrilled with these cookies, plus they couldn’t be easier to make. Happy Spring, everyone!!
Also, if you ever wanted to make Palm Sunday Easter Bread, then have a look here!
Want More Spring and Easter Cookies or Dessert Ideas?
Want some awesome desserts to celebrate the upcoming holidays? Here is a sampling of our favorites. Enjoy!!
Carrot Cake Cookies (new easy recipe)
Ingredients
- 1 box of Carrot Cake Mix
- 2 Eggs
- ½ a cup of Oil
- White Frosting
- Green Melting Candies
- Orange Melting Candies
- 2 Piping Bags
- Parchment Paper
Instructions
- Start by adding your cake mix, eggs, and oil to a large mixing bowl. Mix on high until well combined.
- Place in the fridge for a half hour.
- Roll one heaping tablespoon into a ball and place on a well-greased baking sheet.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes or just until your edges are golden. Let cool completely.
- Ice the top of each cookie with your white frosting.
- Lay a piece of parchment paper out flat. Melt down your melting candies according to the instructions. Place orange in one piping bag and green in the other. Cut a small tip off the end of each bag.
- On your parchment paper, take your orange chocolate and make a zigzag motion back and forth, getting smaller and smaller, forming your carrot.
- Take your green chocolate and create a stem on top. Place the parchment paper in the freezer for one minute until set.
- Peel your carrot off the parchment paper and gently place on top of your cookie.
- Serve and enjoy these super soft, super delicious cookies!
Equipment
Notes
Nutrition
The Original Recipe for Carrot Cake Cookies from Scratch!
Carrot Cake Cookies (Original Recipe)
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1/4 tsp. baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. ground ginger
- 1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup butter room temperature
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 cup grated carrots
- 1/2 cup pecans finely chopped
Icing
- 4 oz. light cream cheese room temperature
- 1/2 cup icing sugar confectioner’s sugar
- pinch of salt
- 1/2 Tbsp. 2% milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg; set aside.
- Using a standup mixer with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugars together until light and fluffy. Add in the egg and vanilla and mix. Add in 1/2 of the flour, then add in the carrots and the pecans. Mix lightly. Add in the remaining flour and mix until just incorporated. Scrape down sides of bowl if needed.
- Spread out silicone liners and, with a cookie scoop or Tbsp., spoon out about 1 Tbsp. of cookie dough. Leave spacing of about 2" between cookies. Bake until browning on the edges but still soft to touch, 11-12 min. Cool on cookie sheet for 5 min. Then, cool completely on a cooling rack. If not icing immediately, place in a sealed container to prevent them from drying out.
- For the icing. In a standup mixer with a paddle attachment, mix cream cheese until smooth, about 4 minutes. Mix in icing sugar and salt, add the milk, and mix until just combined and smooth. Place into an icing bag and decorate as shown. I used a Wilton #7 tip.
Comments & Reviews
Stacy says
Love those little pieces of grated carrot peeking out, Tara! These are far from rustic though. I think they are rather pretty.
Tara Noland says
I guess I was thinking more of the perfection of a sugar cookie and these suited something simpler. Thanks Stacy!!
Sue Lau says
Fabulous idea for cookies!
Tara Noland says
Thanks Sue!
Wendy, A Day in the Life on the Farm says
I printed this off and I am on my way into the kitchen right now to start baking. The rest of the #SundaySupper posts will now have to wait until later LOL….Thanks for the great recipe.
Tara Noland says
I hope you love them Wendy as much as we did, tell me what you like!
Wendy, A Day in the Life on the Farm says
They were delicious Tara. My post will be up tomorrow at http://adayinthelifeonthefarm.blogspot.com/2015/03/little-miss-meets-easter-bunny.html
nazima says
I love carrot cake and the spice and flavour of it – so these cookies are just up my street. Yum!
Tara Noland says
Thank you Nazima!
Sarah | Curious Cuisiniere says
My favorite cake, in a double-fisting form! These are wonderful!
Tara Noland says
Thank you so much Sarah!
ala says
LOVE the squiggle! It adds such a fun little touch, and we are just crazy about carrot cake around here so these cookies would be perfect. Cheers!
Tara Noland says
Thank you Ala!!
Laura says
Okay I love this idea so much!!! I adore carrot cake this is going to be a perfect addition to our Easter baking.
Tara Noland says
You will love them then Laura, so soft and moist!!
Christie says
I am a huge carrot cake fan so I am sure I will adore these cookies.
Tara Noland says
Thanks Christie!!
Dan from Platter Talk says
Holy delicious!!! We love this idea for a cookie!
Tara Noland says
Thank you so much Dan!!
Janette@culinaryginger says
I love this idea, much easier to eat than cake.
Tara Noland says
Thank you Janette!!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
Portable cake! Now this is something I could have fun with. 🙂
Sam @ PancakeWarriors says
Carrot cake is my favorite!! I just love the cute design on these too – such a great way to get that classic cream cheese frosting without overwhelming the carrot and cinnamon!! I just love these- send me a batch please!
Tara Noland says
Thank you so much Sam!!
Emily Leary says
I love carrot cake and these look just perfect!
Tara Noland says
Thank you Emily!!
Valerie Cathell Clark says
These remind me of cookies my grandma made when we were young! They look so yummy!
Hezzi-D says
These look amazing! I often want carrot cake,but don’t want to make a whole cake. Can’t wait to try these
Tara Noland says
You will love these then Heather, they are just like a slice of carrot cake.
Laura Dembowski says
I’ll take carrot cake in any form and these cookies look delightful!
Tara Noland says
Thank you so much Laura, they are all gone, served up to the church this morning!
Dan from Platter Talk says
Holy delicious!!! We love this idea for a cookie!
Janette@culinaryginger says
I love this idea, much easier to eat than cake.
Liz says
I have only made carrot cake cookies once and they were nowhere as successful as your marvelous recipe! LOVE the cream cheese drizzle! Perfect!!!
Tara Noland says
Thank you so much Liz!!
Renee says
Oh my goodness Tara! I am so baking these cookies for Easter. I love, love, love carrot cake. Cream cheese frosting gets me every time too.
Tara Noland says
Thank you so much, the big tray of them went off to church this morning with hubby. I hope they like them, we sure did!