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

Time 40m

Yield about 4-1/2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 17

Ingredients

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.