Oh my goodness, let’s talk about these delightful Carrot Cake Cookie Sandwiches! I mean, who wouldn’t want a cookie that tastes like a slice of carrot cake but in the form of a handheld treat? These beauties are a perfect combination of soft, chewy cookies stuffed with a luscious cream cheese frosting. Every bite is like a sweet hug!
I remember the first time I made these, I was hosting a little get-together with my friends, and I looked around the room to see a dessert spread that looked great, but I really wanted to bring something special to the party. As the scent of these cookies wafted through my kitchen, everyone started to gather around, and let’s just say they vanished faster than I could keep track. Now, they’ve become a staple in my recipe arsenal for whenever someone asks me to bring dessert!
What’s in Carrot Cake Cookie Sandwiches?
Let’s break down the magic that goes into these cookie sandwiches!
All-Purpose Flour: This is the base of our cookies. It gives them structure and helps them hold their shape.
Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These are our leavening agents. They help the cookies rise and give them that soft-baked texture we all love.
Ground Cinnamon: This spice is where the warmth comes from. It adds a cozy flavor that pairs perfectly with carrots.
Salt: A pinch of salt elevates the sweet flavors and balances everything out beautifully.
Unsalted Butter: Butter always makes things better! It adds richness to our cookies. Be sure it’s softened so it mixes well.
Brown Sugar & Granulated Sugar: The brown sugar adds moisture and depth of flavor, while granulated sugar gives that delightful sweetness.
Egg: This works as a binder, bringing everything together to create cookie goodness.
Vanilla Extract: Because who doesn’t love the smell of vanilla wafting through the kitchen? It brings a lovely aroma and subtle flavor.
Rolled Oats: These give our cookies some chewiness and heartiness — a perfect nod to a classic carrot cake!
Grated Carrots: Obviously the star ingredient! They not only add sweetness but also a moist texture remember, you can never have too many veggies!
Walnuts or Pecans: These offer a nice crunch — feel free to leave them out if you’re not a nut person, though!
Raisins or Currants: These little bites of sweetness add another layer of flavor and make the cookies that much more reminiscent of carrot cake!
And let’s not forget the star of the show when it comes to frosting…
Cream Cheese: The creamy richness in the frosting takes these treats over the top. It adds that classic carrot cake taste we all love.
Powdered Sugar: This sweetens the frosting to perfection and helps it maintain a spreadable consistency.
Is Carrot Cake Cookie Sandwiches Good for You?
Now, let’s not kid ourselves — these are cookies, so they’re definitely a treat! However, they do have some redeeming qualities:
Carrots: They’re packed with vitamin A and are great for your vision! Plus, who doesn’t feel a tad healthier when they see those colorful bits of orange?
Oats: These are a good source of fiber, which helps keep you fuller for longer and is great for your digestive health.
However, with the butter and sugars, these cookies are definitely on the indulgent side. Enjoy them as a special treat, and maybe pair them with a nice cup of tea or coffee for a cozy afternoon!
Ingredients List
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– 1/2 tsp baking powder
– 1/2 tsp baking soda
– 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
– 1/4 tsp salt
– 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
– 1/4 cup granulated sugar
– 1 large egg
– 1 tsp vanilla extract
– 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
– 1 cup grated carrots (about 2 medium carrots)
– 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
– 1/2 cup raisins or currants (optional)
Frosting:
– 4 oz cream cheese, softened
– 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1 cup powdered sugar
– 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
This recipe makes about 12 cookie sandwiches — perfect for sharing, or for keeping all to yourself!
How to Make Carrot Cake Cookie Sandwiches?
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Set this mix aside for now.
3. In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until it looks light and fluffy—about 2-3 minutes.
4. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until everything is mixed well.
5. Gradually add the bowl of dry ingredients to the wet mix, stirring until just combined. We don’t want to overmix!
6. Stir in the rolled oats, grated carrots, nuts, and raisins until everything is evenly distributed.
7. Drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet, keeping them about 2 inches apart.
8. Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are a lovely golden brown. Once they’re done, let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. For the frosting, beat together the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add in the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until it’s all creamy.
10. Once your cookies are cool, spread a generous amount of that delicious frosting onto the flat side of half of the cookies. Top with another cookie, flat side down, to make a sandwich.
11. Store these tasty sandwiches in an airtight container in the fridge until you’re ready to serve. Enjoy!
Cookie Cravings & Tips!
– If you want to switch things up, try adding shredded coconut or even swapping out the raisins for chocolate chips. Yum!
– These cookies also freeze well, so if you make a big batch, just pop them in the freezer to enjoy later. Just a quick thaw and they’re as good as fresh!
– For an extra touch, drizzle some melted white chocolate over the tops of the sandwich cookies before serving. They will look so fancy!
I truly hope you give these Carrot Cake Cookie Sandwiches a go! They’re not just a treat; they’re a memory in the making. Please share how yours turn out — I can’t wait to hear all about it! Happy baking! 🥕🍪
