Hearty Carrot Cake Cookies Recipe

Sometimes I crave the spiced warmth of a slice of cake without the hassle of baking a layered dessert.

These soft Carrot Cake Cookies deliver all those cozy flavors in a wholesome, grab-and-go format that works perfectly for breakfast.

Why These Carrot Cake Cookies Are a Morning Savior

You will appreciate how these cookies combine nutritious ingredients like oats and flaxseed into a treat that tastes like dessert.

My Carrot Cake Cookies are naturally sweetened with honey or maple syrup for guilt-free snacking throughout the day.

They freeze exceptionally well, making them the ultimate solution for busy weeks when you need a quick bite.

If you enjoy this wholesome treat, I highly recommend baking my Heavenly Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies next, and the The Classic Grape Jelly Thumbprints are another family favorite you should try.

What Goes Into These Carrot Cake Cookies

Here are the simple pantry staples you need to get started:

• Old-fashioned oats: Provides the chewy texture and heartiness for the base.
• Oat flour: Acts as a binder, though whole wheat flour works just as well here.
• Ground flaxseed: Adds nutrition and helps hold the cookies together naturally.
• Cinnamon: Brings that classic warm spice flavor essential to the recipe.
• Nutmeg: Pairs perfectly with cinnamon for depth of flavor.
• Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise slightly and stay soft.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the spices.
• Unsweetened applesauce: Keeps the cookies incredibly moist without needing extra oil.
• Honey: Adds natural sweetness, or you can substitute pure maple syrup.
• Large egg: Binds the ingredients together for the perfect structure.
• Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile with a warm aroma.
• Unsalted butter: Melted and slightly cooled to add richness to the dough.
• Grated carrot: Brings moisture, color, and authentic flavor to the cookies.
• Apple: Finely chopped or grated for extra natural sweetness and texture.

My Method for Perfect Carrot Cake Cookies

Let’s get baking with these simple steps:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and line your baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup later.
2. Whisk together the oats, flour, flaxseed, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl until well combined.
3. Combine the applesauce, honey, egg, vanilla, and melted butter in a separate bowl until the mixture is smooth.
4. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined, then gently fold in the Carrot Cake Cookies star ingredients: carrots and apples.
5. Scoop 1/4-cup portions onto the baking sheet and flatten them slightly with your fingers since they won’t spread much during baking.
6. Bake for 14 to 15 minutes until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set.

Tips to Perfect Your Carrot Cake Cookies

I always recommend grating the carrots fresh rather than buying pre-shredded ones which can be dry and hard.

To make these Carrot Cake Cookies more kid-friendly, I chop the grated carrots into smaller pieces so they blend in better.

If the dough feels too wet, let it sit for a few minutes so the oats can absorb some of the moisture before scooping.

Best Ways to Enjoy Carrot Cake Cookies

I love serving these warm with a smear of cream cheese or almond butter for that authentic cake experience.

You can also crumble a Carrot Cake Cookie over yogurt for a filling and textured breakfast bowl that keeps you full until lunch.