CARROT CAKE COOKIES

Jessica — Tue, 09 Apr 2019 17:30:59 +0000

Carrot Cake Cookies come together fast with a box of cake mix, eggs, butter, raisins, and walnuts for big carrot cake flavor in cookie form. Topped with creamy cream cheese frosting, they’re an easy Easter-ready treat!

Be sure to check out our updated collection of BEST EVER SWEET & SAVORY RECIPES FOR EASTER DINNER here!

I’ve used cake mix to make cookies before, but these Carrot Cake Cookies might be my new favorite. They’re quick, easy, and have the perfect carrot cake flavor, finished with homemade cream cheese frosting and a sprinkle of festive Easter sprinkles for extra fun.

Highlights of this recipe

Shortcut Meets Classic Flavor – Starting with a carrot cake mix gives you all the warm spices and flavor of carrot cake without the extra prep, making these cookies quick and foolproof.
Perfect Texture Combo – These cookies bake up soft and chewy, with bursts of sweetness from raisins and a little crunch from chopped walnuts in every bite.
Cream Cheese Frosting Finish – The homemade cream cheese frosting takes these from simple cookies to a dessert-worthy treat, especially with festive sprinkles on top.

Ingredients for Cake Mix Carrot Cake Cookies

Cake mix: One 15.25-oz box carrot cake mix provides the structure, making the cookie dough quick and easy to pull together.

Eggs: 2 eggs bind the ingredients and give the cookies their soft, chewy texture.

Butter: Melted butter adds richness and moisture, creating tender cookies with a buttery flavor.

Raisins: ½ cup raisins bring pops of natural sweetness that pair perfectly with the carrot cake spices.

Walnuts: Add a light crunch and nutty contrast to the soft cookies with chopped walnuts.

Cream cheese frosting

Butter: ¼ cup butter, softened, helps create a smooth, creamy base for the frosting.

Cream cheese: Give the frosting its signature tangy flavor by using 4-oz cream cheese, softened.

Milk: Thin the frosting with milk to create the perfect spreading consistency.

Sugar: 2 cups powder sugar sweetens the frosting and helps achieve a smooth, fluffy texture.

Extract: Vanilla extract enhances the flavor and adds a warm, sweet note to the frosting.

Tips for the Perfect Cake Mix Cookies

Use a Mixer – Whether it’s a stand mixer or a hand mixer, using one helps create a smooth, well-combined dough, which leads to soft, chewy cookies.
Add Ingredients in the Right Order – Mixing the eggs into the cake mix first, then adding the melted butter, improves the dough’s texture and the final cookie consistency.
Scoop for Even Cookies – A cookie scoop makes it easy to portion the same amount of dough every time, ensuring even baking; a medium scoop (about 1.5 tablespoons) works perfectly for this recipe.
Line with Parchment Paper – Parchment paper prevents sticking and helps the cookies bake evenly, making cleanup a breeze.

How long are frosted carrot cookies good for?

These carrot cake mix cookies will stay fresh for about 3–4 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Or up to 5–6 days in the refrigerator because of the cream cheese frosting.

You can also freeze them—freeze the cookies unfrosted for best results in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months, then thaw and frost before serving, or freeze frosted cookies in a single layer until solid and then store with parchment between layers.

Carrot Cake Cookies

Course Cookies, Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword cake mix cookies, carrot cake cookies

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 20

Servings cookies

Calories 118kcal

Author Jessica & Nellie

Ingredients

15.25 oz box carrot cake mix
2 eggs
⅓ cup butter softened
½ cup raisins
¼ cup chopped walnuts

Cream Cheese Frosting

¼ cup butter softened
4 oz cream cheese softened
1-2 TBSP milk
2 cups powdered sugar
½ tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper, set them aside.
In a medium size bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, and butter. Mix thoroughly, the dough will be very thick and sticky.
Add in the raisins and walnuts, mix again. Then let the dough sit for 5-10 minutes.
Use a cookie scoop to create uniform balls of dough. You can then roll the dough in your hands after scooping to smooth all of the edges, or just place the cookie dough ball on the pan and gently pat down any edges.
Bake for 8-10 minutes. Remove from oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 3 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.
To make cream cheese frosting, whip the butter and cream cheese together using an electric mixer. Add in powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract.
Once fully cooled, frost each cookie with the cream cheese icing and add sprinkles, if desired. Serve & enjoy!

Video

Notes

These carrot cake cookies stay fresh 3–4 days at room temperature or 5–6 days in the fridge.

You can also freeze them unfrosted for up to 2 months, then thaw and frost, or freeze frosted cookies in a single layer with parchment between.

Nutrition

Can I make these cookies without the raisins or walnuts?

Yes! You can leave them out entirely or swap in something else like white chocolate chips or chopped pecans.

Do I have to chill the dough?

No chilling is required, but letting the dough rest for about 5 minutes helps make it easier to scoop and roll.

What is the best way to soften butter?

When you want softened or room temperature butter (65 degrees F) and don’t have any on hand, follow these simple tips for warming it up quickly without overheating and melting the butter. Softened butter is needed to incorporate with the dough for a seamless smooth consistency so getting your butter to the proper temp is important.

Here are some ways to warm up your cold stick of butter:

Let it sit on the counter for 1 hour prior to making your cookie recipe.
Slice the butter into tablespoon sized pieces and place into a warmed glass for 10-15 minutes. A glass right out of the dishwasher or a measuring glass warmed with water in the microwave (before disposing of the water) are both great options.
Warm a small clean kitchen towel and wrap your sticks of butter (in the wrappers) for a few minutes.
I like to use a warmed tall drinking glass and place the wrapped sticks of butter in the cup before turning it over on the counter for several minutes.

Can I use store-bought cream cheese frosting?

Yes, store-bought frosting works in a pinch, but homemade cream cheese frosting gives the best flavor and texture for this recipe.

Enjoy more of our favorite Springtime cookie recipes here:

Zesty lemon cookies swirled with sweet raspberry jam and finished with a crackly powdered sugar coating. These Lemon Raspberry Crinkle Cookies are spring in every bite!
Pink Daisy Cookies are made from a buttery vanilla dough shaped into sweet, blooming flower petals—perfect for parties and special occasions. They are as delightful to look at as they are to eat!
Buttery treats rolled in pastel sanding sugar and finished with a chocolate kiss for a sweet, festive touch. Perfect for family gatherings, these Easter Blossom Cookies will be a new family favorite!
Strawberry cookies are perfect for spring and summer snacking. From soft and chewy to buttery and sweet, these cookies are bursting with fresh strawberry flavor that’s impossible to resist!
Our recipe for Spring Lemon Crinkle Cookies create buttery, tangy, and totally irresistible treats! Bursting with bright lemon flavor, they’re the perfect treat for springtime!

Carrot Cake Cookies are packed with classic carrot cake flavor from cake mix, eggs, butter, raisins, and walnuts. Finished with creamy cream cheese frosting, they’re an effortless, festive treat for Easter!

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