Why This Carrot Cake Sandwich Cookie Recipe is a Must-Try

Some bakers affectionately refer to these as carrot cake whoopie pies, while others know them as carrot cake sandwich cookies. Regardless of the name, they offer the same incredible experience! This recipe is a fantastic way to enjoy all the beloved flavors of a traditional carrot cake, but in a fun, handheld format that’s perfect for sharing (or keeping all to yourself!).

What makes these cookies so special? It’s the delightful combination of textures and flavors. You get the comforting chewiness of an oatmeal cookie, the natural sweetness and moisture from finely grated carrots, the exotic hint of shredded coconut, and the burst of sweetness from raisins, all perfectly spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. And let’s not forget the star of the show – the creamy, dreamy cream cheese frosting that brings it all together with its signature tang.

Carrot cake has long been a family favorite in our home. We’ve explored various ways to enjoy this classic, from a stunning carrot cake trifle to a delightful morning treat like carrot cake pancakes, and of course, the timeless classic carrot cake itself. Adding this sandwich cookie recipe to our collection was a no-brainer. It’s an innovative twist that maintains all the delicious elements of a traditional carrot cake in a convenient, portable package, making it an instant hit for any occasion. They’re quicker to make than a full cake and offer that perfect balance of cookie and cake in every bite.

Key Ingredients for Your Carrot Cake Sandwich Cookies

Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to creating these phenomenal cookies. Below, we’ll go through each component, explaining its role and offering helpful tips. You can find all precise measurements and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

FLOUR: For a soft and chewy texture, we primarily use all-purpose flour. If you happen to have bread flour on hand, you can certainly substitute it; bread flour has a higher protein content which can contribute to an even chewier cookie, giving it a delightful bite. However, all-purpose flour works perfectly for a classic result.

SUGAR: Like many of the best cookie recipes, this one calls for a combination of both granulated white sugar and light brown sugar. Granulated sugar provides crispness and sweetness, while light brown sugar adds a deep, molasses-like flavor and contributes significantly to the cookies’ moistness and chewiness. Ensure your brown sugar is lightly packed for accurate measurement.

FATS & BINDERS: You’ll need unsalted butter, almost fully melted and slightly cooled, to create the tender cookie base. The recipe also incorporates one large egg and an additional large egg yolk. The egg acts as a binder, while the extra yolk adds richness and helps create that wonderful chewy texture, preventing the cookies from becoming dry or crumbly. Pure vanilla extract enhances all the sweet flavors.

SPICES & LEAVENING: The signature carrot cake flavor comes from a blend of warm spices: ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and a touch of ground ginger. These spices create a fragrant, comforting profile. Baking soda is our leavening agent, helping the cookies rise and spread, while a pinch of salt balances the sweetness and brings out the depth of flavor.

ADDITIONS: These are the ingredients that truly elevate these from simple oatmeal cookies to glorious carrot cake delights. We’re using hearty old-fashioned rolled oats, which provide structure and a satisfying chewiness. In addition, we’re adding luscious unsweetened shredded coconut for texture and a subtle tropical note, and plump raisins for bursts of natural sweetness and moisture. The star addition, of course, is finely grated carrots. We highly recommend using a freshly peeled and grated medium carrot over prepackaged shredded carrots. Prepackaged varieties often contain more liquid and can be coarser, which might cause your cookies to spread excessively and affect their texture. Freshly grated carrots offer the best moisture and flavor.

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING INGREDIENTS: No carrot cake experience is complete without its signature frosting! You’ll need softened unsalted butter and cream cheese (at room temperature for optimal smoothness), more pure vanilla extract for flavor, plenty of powdered sugar for sweetness and body, and a tiny pinch of salt to cut through the sweetness and enhance the creaminess.

Crafting Your Carrot Cake Sandwich Cookies: A Step-by-Step Guide

These step-by-step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

Preparing the Cookie Dough

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two half-sheet pans with parchment paper or Silpat silicone baking mats. This prevents sticking and ensures even baking.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the almost fully melted and slightly cooled unsalted butter with the granulated sugar and light brown sugar. Whisk them together until well combined and creamy. Then, whisk in the large egg, egg yolk, and pure vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and fully incorporated. This ensures all wet ingredients are evenly distributed for a consistent cookie texture.
   
3. In a separate bowl (or directly into the wet ingredients if your bowl is large enough), add the all-purpose flour, old-fashioned rolled oats, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, baking soda, salt, and ground ginger. Stir these dry ingredients together to combine them thoroughly before adding them to the wet mixture. This helps prevent clumps and ensures spices are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
   
   
4. Once the dry and wet ingredients are combined, gently stir in the finely grated carrot, shredded coconut, and raisins. Mix until they are just evenly distributed throughout the dough. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tougher cookies.

   EXPERT TIP: As mentioned earlier, we strongly recommend using freshly grated carrots for this recipe. Prepackaged shredded carrots tend to carry excess water, which can cause your cookies to spread too much and become thin. Freshly grated carrots provide the perfect amount of moisture and flavor.

   

5. Using a 1 1/2 tablespoon cookie scoop, portion out the dough and roll it into smooth balls. Arrange these dough balls about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking trays. This spacing is crucial to allow the cookies ample room to expand without merging into each other during baking. Aim for about 8 cookies per half-sheet pan for best results.
   
6. Bake the cookies two trays at a time, if possible, for about 14 to 15 minutes. They should be golden brown along the edges but still look slightly soft and just a touch doughy in the center. Rotate the trays once halfway through baking to ensure even cooking. If you’re baking one tray at a time, start checking for doneness around 11 minutes. This slight underbaking is key to achieving that soft, chewy center. Continue baking the remaining cookie dough in the same manner.
   
7. Allow the baked cookies to cool completely on the baking trays for about 5-10 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire cooling rack to finish cooling. This helps them firm up and prevents them from breaking.

Whipping Up the Cream Cheese Frosting

1. While your cookies are cooling, prepare the irresistible cream cheese frosting. In a large bowl, add all the frosting ingredients: room temperature unsalted butter, softened cream cheese, pure vanilla extract, powdered sugar, and a pinch of salt. Using a hand-held electric beater (or a stand mixer), beat the mixture on medium-high speed until it’s light, fluffy, and perfectly smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is thoroughly combined. The key to smooth frosting is using softened ingredients, so plan ahead!
   

Assembling Your Sandwich Cookies

1. Once the cookies are completely cooled (this is very important to prevent the frosting from melting), lay them out with their flat bottoms facing up. Spread a generous dollop of cream cheese frosting onto the bottom side of half of the cookies. Don’t be shy with the frosting – it’s what makes these sandwich cookies so indulgent!
   
2. Gently place another cooled cookie on top of the frosting-covered cookie, pressing down slightly to create a perfect cookie sandwich. Repeat with the remaining cookies and frosting. Your homemade Carrot Cake Sandwich Cookies are now ready to be devoured!

Expert Tips for Perfect Carrot Cake Sandwich Cookies

• Room Temperature Ingredients are Key: For both the cookies and the frosting, make sure your butter, eggs, and cream cheese are at room temperature. This ensures they cream together smoothly, creating a uniform dough and silky frosting.
• Don’t Overmix: After adding the flour mixture and then the carrots, coconut, and raisins, mix just until combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to tough, dry cookies.
• Freshly Grated Carrots: This tip is worth repeating! Pre-shredded carrots from the bag often contain too much moisture and can be thicker, impacting the cookie’s texture and causing them to spread excessively. Fine, freshly grated carrots are best.
• Chill the Dough (Optional but Recommended): If your dough feels very soft or if your kitchen is warm, consider chilling the dough for 20-30 minutes. This helps prevent excessive spreading and results in thicker, chewier cookies.
• Even Scooping: Use a cookie scoop to ensure all your cookies are uniform in size. This not only makes them look professional but also ensures they bake evenly.
• Slightly Underbake: For that irresistible soft and chewy texture, remove the cookies from the oven when they’re golden at the edges but still look a little soft in the center. They will continue to set as they cool on the hot baking sheet.
• Cool Completely Before Frosting: Patience is a virtue here! Frosting warm cookies will cause the cream cheese frosting to melt and make a mess. Ensure your cookies are entirely cooled before assembly.
• Adjust Frosting Consistency: If your cream cheese frosting is too thick, add a tiny bit of milk or cream (half a teaspoon at a time) until it reaches your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, add a little more powdered sugar.

Frequently Asked Questions About Carrot Cake Sandwich Cookies

---

These carrot cake sandwich cookies offer a beautifully spiced oatmeal cookie experience, perfectly complemented by the sweetness of coconut, the earthy notes of carrots, and the luxurious tang of cream cheese frosting. They are truly versatile, making them a fantastic choice for festive family get-togethers, elegant Easter gatherings, or simply as a comforting treat with your afternoon coffee. Their delightful blend of flavors and textures ensures they’ll be a hit with everyone who tries them!

Explore More Delicious Cookie Recipes

If you’re a fan of baking and love experimenting with new cookie flavors, you’re in the right place! Here are some other fantastic cookie recipes to add to your baking repertoire, perfect for any occasion or craving:

• Classic Oatmeal Cookies: A timeless favorite, simple yet satisfying.
• Soft Banana Cookies: A great way to use up overripe bananas, these are moist and flavorful.
• Chewy Monster Cookies: Packed with oats, peanut butter, chocolate chips, and M&M’s – a true crowd-pleaser!
• Decadent Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies: The ultimate combo for fans of this classic pairing.
• Irresistible Chocolate Chip Pudding Cookies: The secret ingredient (pudding mix) makes these extra soft and flavorful.
• Easy Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies: Incredibly simple to make with a cake mix, resulting in vibrant, fruity cookies.
• Hearty Oatmeal Raisin Cookies: A comforting classic that’s perfect with a glass of milk.
• Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies for Two: When you’re craving just a small batch of warm, gooey chocolate chip cookies.
• Bright Lemon Cake Mix Cookies: Another easy cake mix recipe, offering a burst of refreshing lemon flavor.

I love to bake and cook and share my kitchen experience with all of you! Remembering to come back each day can be tough, that’s why I offer a convenient newsletter every time a new recipe posts. Simply subscribe and start receiving your free daily recipes, so you never miss out on delicious new creations like these carrot cake sandwich cookies!