Carrot cake and cheesecake lovers, rejoice! These carrot cake cheesecake cookies bring the best of both worlds into a single, irresistible bite. With the spiced sweetness of carrot cake, the creamy tang of cheesecake, and the delightful crunch of pecans, these cookies are a must-try for any dessert enthusiast. Perfect for celebrations or everyday indulgence, they’re sure to impress your taste buds and anyone you share them with.
Ingredients
Produce
- Carrots: 1 ½ cups, finely grated
- Ground Ginger: ½ tsp
Refrigerated
- Eggs: 2 large
Baking & Spices
- All-Purpose Flour: 2 ½ cups
- Baking Soda: 1 tsp
- Brown Sugar (packed): 1 cup
- Granulated Sugar: 1 cup
- Powdered Sugar: 1 cup
- Ground Cinnamon: 1 tsp
- Ground Nutmeg: ½ tsp
- Salt: ½ tsp
- Vanilla Extract: 2 tsp
- White Chocolate Chips: 1 cup
Nuts & Seeds
- Pecans: 1 cup, chopped
Dairy
- Unsalted Butter: 1 cup, softened
- Cream Cheese: 8 oz, softened
Instructions
1. Prepare the Cookie Dough
- Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until fluffy.
- Add the Wet Ingredients: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add 1 tsp of vanilla extract.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground ginger, and salt. Gradually add this mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Add the Carrots and Pecans: Fold in the grated carrots and chopped pecans.
2. Prepare the Cheesecake Filling
- In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and remaining 1 tsp of vanilla extract until smooth.
3. Assemble the Cookies
- Form the Dough Balls: Scoop out 1 ½ tablespoons of the cookie dough and flatten it slightly in your palm.
- Fill the Center: Place a small dollop (about ½ tsp) of cheesecake filling in the center of the flattened dough. Top with another flattened piece of cookie dough and seal the edges to encase the filling.
- Add a Sweet Finish: Press a few white chocolate chips into the top of each cookie ball.
4. Bake to Perfection
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the assembled cookies 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
5. Serve and Enjoy
- These cookies can be enjoyed warm or chilled, making them a versatile treat for any occasion!
Conclusion
Carrot cake cheesecake cookies are the ultimate fusion dessert, combining the warm spices and moist texture of carrot cake with the creamy decadence of cheesecake. These delightful cookies are perfect for sharing (or keeping all to yourself). Try this recipe today and bring a touch of sweetness and creativity to your dessert table!
