Old Fashioned Carrot Cookies with Orange Frosting
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You are probably wondering if you read that right. “Does that say what I think it says? Carrot cookies?” It may sound strange, but if you can have carrot cake, why not carrot cookies?
I was thinking that it could be a new tradition – leave out carrot cookies for the Easter Bunny just like we leave out cookies for Santa. Will it catch on? I don’t know, but I’d like to think it will.
This recipe came to me by accident. I was actually looking for old-fashioned carrot cake recipes in my vintage cookbooks. Surprisingly, there weren’t any! All sorts of carrot recipes were in those books, but very few of them were sweet. One of the only sweet ones was the carrot cookies.
Ingredients You Will Need
- Butter
- Sugar
- Carrots
- Egg
- Vanilla
- Flour
- Baking Powder
- Salt
- Powdered Sugar
- Orange Juice
Equipment You May Need
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Mixing Bowl
- Mixer
- Wooden Spoon
- Cookie Scoop
- Cookie Sheet
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I achieve the right level of sweetness in carrot cookies? The sweetness can be adjusted by controlling the amount of sugar in the recipe. You can also use a combination of brown and white sugar for a more balanced sweetness.
Should I use whole wheat flour or all-purpose flour for carrot cookies? You can use either whole wheat flour or all-purpose flour, depending on your preference. Whole wheat flour will add a nuttier flavor and denser texture, while all-purpose flour will yield a lighter texture.
How can I store carrot cookies to keep them fresh? Store the cooled carrot cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days, or in the refrigerator to extend their shelf life.
Can I freeze carrot cookie dough for later use? Yes, you can freeze carrot cookie dough. Form the dough into cookie balls and place them on a baking sheet in the freezer until they’re firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. Bake them directly from the freezer, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
How can I make sure my carrot cookies are soft and chewy? To achieve soft and chewy cookies, slightly underbake them. Take them out of the oven when they are set around the edges but still slightly soft in the center. They will continue to firm up as they cool on the baking sheet.
Substitutions and Variations
Fruits: Enhance the fruity element by adding grated apples or zucchini alongside the carrots. This adds moisture and a delightful twist to the cookies.
Coconut: Mix in shredded coconut to give the cookies an extra layer of texture and tropical flavor.
Seeds: Boost the nutrition by adding chia seeds, flaxseeds, or sunflower seeds for added crunch and health benefits.
Frosting: Sandwich two cookies together with cream cheese frosting or buttercream to create carrot cookie sandwiches.
Other Recipes You May Enjoy
If you like these cookies, you might also like my Corn Flake Macaroons or my Mashed Potato Cookies. With your leftover carrots, you may want to make Old-Fashioned Shepherd’s Pie or Carrot Cake.
Final Thoughts
The recipe suggests orange frosting, which was a few pages ahead of the carrot cookies. The orange frosting is delicious on its own, but it would be good with any white or yellow cake in my opinion. Orange juice is what gives it the orange flavoring. You only need a small amount but I bought a whole jug so I can have orange juice for breakfast the next couple of mornings if my kids and hubby don’t drink it all first!
In my opinion, these cookies are light and refreshing and you cannot taste the carrots. My husband described them as light in the middle, but not doughy, with a nice, crisp bottom. They are perfect for an Easter dessert, a spring potluck, or a summer picnic. I will be surprised if I have any leftovers to share! They are different but in a good way. If you make them, I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
Have you heard of carrot cookies? Are you a carrot cake fan? What are your Easter plans this year? Let me know in the comments below.
Carrot Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Butter Flavored Shortening Room Temperature
- ¾ Cup Sugar
- 1 Cup Carrots Cooked and Mashed
- 1 Egg
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla
- 2 Cups Flour
- 2 teaspoons Baking Powder
- ½ teaspoon Salt
Instructions
- Cream shortening and sugar.
- Add mashed carrots, egg, and vanilla. Mix Well.
- In separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to carrot mixture. Mix well.
- Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop batter on greased cookie sheet.
- Bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes.
- Remove from cookie sheet immediately and frost with Orange Frosting, if desired.
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32 Comments
katieemmabeauty
These look so cute!
Katie | katieemmabeauty.com
Heidi Bruaw
Thank you!
Isa A
carrot and orange flavoring is always complementary for carrot cake and same category of desserts i support. but not cake but cookies! wow i’ll make! i haven’t seen a better food blogger since 2020. You sold me out there!
Isa A. Blogger
http://bit.ly/39f9FN0
Heidi Bruaw
You are so sweet! Thank you 🙂
Giulia
I love this idea! They sound yummy and I love cookies so much more than cake.
Heidi Bruaw
Thank you! Yes, cookies are easier to make and I feel less guilty about eating them, lol.
Fransic Verso
This is the first time to know there is something called carrot cookies and it looks yummy. Thank you for sharing!
Heidi Bruaw
Thank you! I didn’t know about them before either.
sejal
I’ve never had carrot cookies before, but I like your thinking haha. We always used to get carrot cake for my dad’s bday, so they will be a fun time. I’m trying to eat healthier since my birthday’s pretty close lol, but maybe I’ll make these for Easter. These surprisingly take a quick time to make, which is perfect for a busy weekend. And I never knew you could make frosting with orange juice! Thanks for the recipe :))
https://www.thelazygal.com
Heidi Bruaw
Haha, thank you! Yes, it is nice to eat a small cookie instead of a large piece of cake. They are very easy to make, too!
Sue Berk Koch
I prefer recipes with shortening because of dairy issues. I may try these with almond flour and royal icing! (again to avoid dairy) Thanks so much for the inspiration!
Heidi Bruaw
Let me know how the non-dairy version turns out! I would love to know. I”m glad I could inspire you. 🙂
Tiffany McCullough - Metaphysical Mama
Wow! These sound great, especially the orange frosting! Thanks for sharing.
Heidi Bruaw
Thank you so much! The orange frosting is delicious. 🙂
lynnmumbingmejia
Yummy! I love the idea of carrot cookies. Carrot cake is my fav. Might recreate this and add zucchini too! Thank you for sharing! x
Lynn | http://www.lynnmumbingmejia.com
Heidi Bruaw
Zucchini would be a lovely addition! Let me know if you try that. I would love to know how it turns out. 🙂
CristinaR
Never heard of carrot cookies, but I am a huge fan of carrot cake, so will have to give them a try, thanks for sharing x
Heidi Bruaw
If you like carrot cake, I think you will like these. They don’t have as many spices but are still yummy!
Simona ~ The Grumpy Olive
Okay, I am all about leaving these out for the easter bunny if I can be the easter bunny: they sound absolutely delicious! Baby sister loves carrot cake so I will get to make them soon for her xx
Heidi Bruaw
Haha, I am the Easter Bunny at my house so I will definitely be leaving these out. If your sister loves carrot cake, she will like these too!
nortoncharity
Oh my goodness! These look so cute and delicious for Easter! Thanks so much for sharing them! I will have to try this recipe out!
Heidi Bruaw
Thank you! I hope you like them!
Unwanted Life
I figured the carrots were going to be used instead of sugar, but you also have sugar in the cookie recipe. Still seems like an interesting recipe to try though, although, what is cream shortening? Could the recipe work with a strawberry frosting? I’m not a fan of orange in food
Heidi Bruaw
Cream shortening is just regular shortening, I believe. Strawberry frosting would be yummy too! 🙂
Bruna
I am generally in love with carrots so I think this recipe if perfect for me and perfect for the time that is coming – Easter! I am definitely going to try this recipe either during the spring break or after! Thank you for sharing!
Heidi Bruaw
Let me know if you try it! 🙂
Christina
These look great! We’ve got some big carrot cake fans in our family, so this might be a fun new spin to have them try this year!
Meredith Dent
Looks sooooo good! I might have to try these for myself ❤️
Diana
These look so delicious! Would love to try making them some day! Thank you for sharing this recipe Heidi! 🤩
Heidi Bruaw
Thank you! They are so good and a little different from what I’ve had before in a cookie. 🙂
Jodie Keith
Oh my these sound delicious! I love anything orange flavoured. Yum!!
Jodie @ Jodetopia x
Heidi Bruaw
Thank you! The orange frosting is a tasty addition! 🙂