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+ servings
Melany

Soft Carrot Cookies with Cream Cheese

If you love the flavors of carrot cake but crave a handheld dessert, these Soft Carrot Cookies with Cream Cheese are the perfect solution. They’re tender, spiced, and feature a creamy surprise inside that will delight everyone from kids to grown-ups. Perfect for holidays, parties, or an indulgent snack!
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients
  

  • Unsalted butter softened: 1 cup
  • Granulated sugar: 1 cup
  • Brown sugar: 1 cup
  • Large eggs: 2
  • Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon
  • All-purpose flour: 2 ½ cups
  • Baking soda: 1 teaspoon
  • Ground cinnamon: 1 teaspoon
  • Ground nutmeg: ½ teaspoon
  • Ground ginger: ½ teaspoon
  • Salt: ½ teaspoon
  • Grated carrots: 1 ½ cups
  • Chopped pecans: 1 cup
  • White chocolate chips: 1 cup
  • Cream cheese softened: 8 ounces
  • Powdered sugar: 1 cup

Method
 

Step 1: Prep the Oven
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
  1. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
  1. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt.
Step 4: Mix the Dough
  1. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Fold in grated carrots, pecans, and white chocolate chips.
Step 5: Make the Filling
  1. In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
Step 6: Shape the Cookies
  1. Take a scoop of cookie dough, flatten it slightly, and add a teaspoon of the cream cheese filling to the center. Cover with another flattened scoop of dough, sealing the edges to enclose the filling completely. Repeat for all cookies.
Step 7: Bake
  1. Arrange the cookies on the baking sheets, leaving space between them. Bake for 12–15 minutes or until the edges are golden. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Step 8: Serve
  1. Serve warm or store in an airtight container for later. Enjoy the soft, spiced cookies with their luscious cream cheese centers!

Notes

  • Use freshly grated carrots for the best flavor and moisture.
  • If the dough is sticky, refrigerate for 20 minutes before shaping.
  • Store cookies in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

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