Description
Delightful carrot cookies with orange icing bring sweet Mediterranean sunshine to classic dessert lovers. Crisp edges, delicate crumb, and zesty citrus glaze create a perfect afternoon treat for cookie enthusiasts seeking refreshing homemade comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup grated carrots
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
Spices and Leavening Agents:
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Icing and Optional Ingredients:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoons orange juice
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Prepare the oven at 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, ensuring even heat distribution and preventing cookie sticking.
- Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl, whisking thoroughly to blend dry ingredients evenly.
- Cream butter with brown and granulated sugars using a mixer until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Incorporate egg and vanilla extract into the butter-sugar mixture, blending until ingredients are smoothly integrated.
- Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients, stirring minimally to maintain cookie tenderness and prevent overmixing.
- Gently mix grated carrots and chopped nuts into the dough, distributing them uniformly throughout the mixture.
- Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing each cookie approximately 2 inches apart to allow proper spreading.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until cookie edges turn golden brown, initially cooling them on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack.
- Craft the orange icing by whisking powdered sugar, orange juice, orange zest, and salt, adjusting consistency with additional liquid or sugar as needed.
- Once cookies have completely cooled, apply the orange icing by drizzling or spreading across the surface.
- Allow icing to set briefly before serving, presenting a delightful treat with vibrant citrus notes.
Notes
- Choose fresh, organic carrots for the most vibrant flavor and natural sweetness in your cookies.
- Grate carrots finely to ensure they blend seamlessly into the cookie dough without creating chunky textures.
- Swap out nuts for seeds like sunflower or pumpkin if you have nut allergies, maintaining the delightful crunch.
- Reduce sugar content by using alternative sweeteners like honey or maple syrup for a healthier twist on the classic recipe.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg