Best 3 Carrot Cake Thumbprint Cookies Recipes

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Indulge in a delightful journey of carrot cake flavors transformed into bite-sized treats with this delectable collection of Carrot Cake Thumbprint Cookies recipes. These cookies capture the essence of classic carrot cake, blending warm spices, sweet carrots, and a touch of tangy cream cheese frosting into a delightful symphony of flavors. Each recipe offers a unique variation, ensuring there's a perfect cookie for every taste preference. From traditional carrot cake cookies to gluten-free, vegan, and even keto-friendly options, this article caters to diverse dietary needs and preferences. Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with these irresistible treats that are perfect for festive gatherings, afternoon tea parties, or simply as a sweet treat to enjoy anytime.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

CARROT SPICE THUMBPRINT COOKIES



Carrot Spice Thumbprint Cookies image

Carrot cake is a family favorite, and these delicious cookies taste just like it with shredded carrots, dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, cinnamon and cloves. And they're topped with a rich cream cheese frosting. Who could resist? Each cookie is like eating a piece of carrot cake, but with no fork needed! —Susan Bickta, Kutztown, Pennsylvania

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 40m

Yield 5 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 20

1 cup margarine, softened
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1-1/2 cups shredded carrots
2/3 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
1/2 cup dried cranberries
FROSTING:
1/2 cup butter, softened
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Additional confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375°. In a large bowl, cream together margarine and sugars until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in eggs and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, cinnamon, baking powder, salt, baking soda and cloves; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Stir in carrots, walnuts and cranberries., Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Press a deep indentation in center of each with the back of a 1/2-teaspoon measure., Bake until edges begin to brown, 10-12 minutes. Reshape indentations as needed. Cool on pans 5 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely., For frosting, beat butter, cream cheese, confectioners' sugar and vanilla until blended. To serve, fill each cookie with about 1-1/2 teaspoons frosting; sprinkle with additional confectioners' sugar. Refrigerate leftover filled cookies.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 167 calories, Fat 9g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 17mg cholesterol, Sodium 146mg sodium, Carbohydrate 21g carbohydrate (14g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 2g protein.

FROSTED CARROT CAKE COOKIES



Frosted Carrot Cake Cookies image

I took my favorite carrot cake recipe and slightly tweaked it to make cookies. Just like the cake, the yummy bites are filled with shredded carrot, pineapple and raisins-and topped with a homemade cream cheese frosting. -Lawrence Earl, Sumner, Michigan

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 40m

Yield about 4-1/2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 17

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 medium carrot, shredded
1/2 cup crushed pineapple, drained and patted dry
1/2 cup golden raisins
FROSTING:
6 ounces cream cheese, softened
3-3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 to 3 tablespoons 2% milk
Toasted chopped walnuts, optional

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream butter, sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in eggs and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Stir in carrot, pineapple and raisins., Drop dough by tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake 10-12 minutes or until light brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely., In a small bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar, vanilla and enough milk to reach a spreading consistency. Frost cookies. If desired, sprinkle with walnuts. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Freeze option: Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto waxed paper-lined baking sheets; freeze until firm. Transfer to airtight freezer containers; return to freezer. To use, bake cookies as directed.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 129 calories, Fat 4g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 18mg cholesterol, Sodium 81mg sodium, Carbohydrate 22g carbohydrate (16g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.

CARROT CAKE SANDWICH COOKIES



Carrot Cake Sandwich Cookies image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 1h30m

Yield 12 sandwich cookies

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup rolled oats
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 sticks (12 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
3/4 cup finely grated carrots (about 2 small)
1 large egg
1/3 cup raisins
1 cup marshmallow cream
4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Steps:

  • Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven; preheat to 350 degrees F. Whisk the flour, oats, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Beat the butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the carrots and beat until combined, then beat in the egg. Stir in the flour mixture with a rubber spatula until combined, then stir in the raisins.
  • Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Arrange scoops of dough (1 rounded tablespoon per cookie) about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake, switching the pans halfway through, until the cookies are golden and set around the edges but the centers are still soft, about 20 minutes. Transfer to racks and let cool completely on the baking sheets.
  • Make the filling: Beat the marshmallow cream, cream cheese, butter and vanilla in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until thick and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Spread 1 tablespoon filling on the flat side of half the cookies; sandwich with the remaining cookies. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 2 days; bring to room temperature before serving.

Tips:

  • Use fresh carrots. Fresh carrots will give your cookies the best flavor and texture. If you don't have fresh carrots, you can use frozen or canned carrots, but they may not be as flavorful.
  • Grate the carrots finely. This will help them blend into the cookie dough more easily and give the cookies a more even texture.
  • Don't overmix the dough. Overmixing the dough will make the cookies tough. Mix the dough just until it comes together.
  • Chill the dough before baking. Chilling the dough will help the cookies hold their shape and prevent them from spreading too much in the oven.
  • Bake the cookies until they are just set. Overbaking the cookies will make them dry and crumbly. The cookies are done when they are golden brown around the edges and set in the center.

Conclusion:

Carrot cake thumbprint cookies are a delicious and easy-to-make treat that are perfect for any occasion. They are made with simple ingredients and can be customized to your liking. Try adding different spices, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger, to the dough for a more flavorful cookie. You can also top the cookies with your favorite frosting or glaze. Carrot cake thumbprint cookies are a great way to use up leftover carrots and are sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

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