These Carrot Cake Mix Cookies are delicious, easy to make, and perfect for any celebration. With all your favorite carrot cake flavors, these cookies will be a hit with everyone.
Carrot cake is a popular recipe to make this time of year. This time we are making it in a cookie form.
Did you know that you can make cookies from a cake mix? It's seriously the easiest thing to do and probably my favorite way to make cookies. Our kids always go nuts for these cookies and cream cookies!
Using a box cake mix gives you so many varieties and options for making cookies. Since carrot cake is one of my favorite cakes, I decided to incorporate it into a festive cake mix cookie.
Why This Recipe Works
Adding a few extra ingredients and mix in's gives these carrot cake mix cookies a little bit of extra flair and flavor. They are a fun and delicious cookie to make for Easter celebrations.
- Only takes minutes to make the cookie dough.
- Easy to customize with your favorite carrot cake mix-ins.
- Loaded with coconut and raisins!
- Stay soft and chewy for days.
- Tastes just like your favorite carrot cake.
Main Ingredients Needed
This easy carrot cake cookie recipe only requires a few ingredients and takes just 10 minutes to make the dough.
- Cake Mix - For these cookies you can use a carrot cake mix or a spice cake mix. Either one works great. Just make sure you are only using the dry cake mix powder.
- Butter & Cream Cheese - Adds flavor and a great texture to the cookies.
- Vanilla Extract - Adds more flavor.
- Egg - Gives the cake mix the moisture it needs to make a dough.
- Mix-Ins - Grated carrots, shredded coconut, raisins, and chopped walnuts make these cake mix cookies taste just like carrot cake.
How to make Carrot Cake Cookies
You will love how simple these carrot cookies are to make. Just combine the ingredients, chill the dough, and then bake for a few minutes. They are so soft and delicious!
- Add the dry cake mix, softened cream cheese and butter, and vanilla to a large bowl. Beat until a soft dough forms.
- Gently stir in raisins, carrots, coconut, and walnuts. Refrigerate the dough for at least 60 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Scoop the dough into 24 even balls. Press a few extra raisins on the tops.
- Bake 12 cookies at a time for 12 minutes. Let the cookies rest on the hot pan for 2 minutes, then gently move to a wire rack or parchment paper to cool completely.
Storage Recommendations
Place the cooled cookies in an air tight container and keep on the counter at room temperature for 4-5 days.
You can also freeze the cookies for 1-2 months. Place cookies in a container or freezer bag with parchment paper between the layers.
Recipe Tips
- Use a box grater or food processor to grate fresh carrots. Do NOT use the matchstick carrots from the store because those are for salads and are too dry for baking.
- Chill the cookie dough to make it easier to scoop and to keep the cookies from spreading too much when baking.
- For the best texture and taste, let the cookies cool completely before eating or serving.
- Feel free to leave out any of the mix-ins that you do not like.
- Want to make these carrot cake cookies extra special? Top with a layer of cream cheese frosting and sprinkle with extra chopped walnuts.
FAQ'S
Can you use a different cake mix?
Yes, feel free to use a carrot cake mix, spice cake mix, vanilla cake mix, or yellow cake mix. If you use a vanilla or yellow cake, add 2-3 teaspoons of cake spice or cinnamon to the dough.
How many cookies does this make?
This recipe makes 24 cookies. You can also scoop the dough into 36 small dough balls and bake them around 10-11 minutes.
Can cake mix cookies be made ahead of time?
Yes, they are a great cookie to make 1-2 days ahead of time because they stay soft for days. You can also make the dough ahead of time and keep that in a covered container in the fridge until you need/want cookies.
Other Cake Mix Cookie Recipes
- Rolo Cookies
- Chocolate M&M Cookies
- Strawberry Kiss Cookies
- Chocolate Mallow Cookies
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies
- Chocolate Mint Cookies
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Recipe
Carrot Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
These Carrot Cake Mix Cookies are delicious, easy to make, and perfect for any celebration. With all your favorite carrot cake flavors, these cookies will be a hit with everyone.
Ingredients
- 1 spice cake mix (or carrot cake mix)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup raisins, divided
- ½ cup grated carrots
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
- ½ cup sweetened shredded coconut
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°. Line a sheet pan with a Silpat or parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, cinnamon, butter, egg, vanilla, and cream cheese. Mix until a soft dough forms.
- Gently stir in the carrots, ¾ cup raisins, walnuts, and coconut by hand. Chill dough in refrigerator for at least 60 minutes.
- Scoop dough into 24 even balls and place 12 balls on baking sheet. Press a few raisins into the tops of the dough balls. Bake 12-13 minutes.
- Remove pan from oven and let cookies cool on pan 2-3 minutes. Gently remove from pan to cooling rack or parchment paper. Cool completely. Store in air tight container.
Notes
Original Carrot Cake Cookies Recipe
- Mix together cake mix, ½ cup melted butter, 2 eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon in a bowl.
- Stir in 1 cup white chocolate chips and ½ cup caramel bits. Chill dough 30-60 minutes.
- Scoop into 30 balls and bake 10-11 minutes at 350°.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 180Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 185mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 1gSugar: 14gProtein: 2g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
*The post for Carrot Cake Cookies was first published August 2012. The post and pictures were updated and republished April 2022.
Julie
Hi there! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and linking up this delightful cookie recipe to Marvelous Mondays. I've started following your blog via GFC. If you're interested in keeping up with my blog I'd love to have you follow back. 🙂
Have a fabulous day.
Julie
thisgalcooks.com
Lisa {Sweet 2 Eat Baking}
Oh my, these look and sound fantabulous! My partner adores carrot cake so would dance around the room if he had some of these! And FTIW, I like large beds too. However, I have a nice roomy king size bed but the fella decides to use 95% of it in the night leaving me with less than a childs' bed space. Gah!
-Lisa.
Sweet 2 Eat Baking
Kara
Yum!!! I'm 100% making these as soon as possible. And I love big beds. I'm buying one next week with birthday money! Yay!
Something Swanky
I've been making cake mix cookies like CRAZY lately-- just with the move and all, they're the easiest way to get my cookie fix when everything is still pretty much packed away! And I was down to my last box of cake mix tonight-- carrot cake. And you know how I feel about carrot cake. So I didn't make it. But I did think-- someone has GOT to make some carrot cake cookies! And you could even add cream cheese frosting!! It's too bad I don't like carrot cake... so many possibilities! And it always LOOKS so good to me. Like your cookies for example....
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust
I have to try these - my husband will love them. Carrot cake is his fav. And I agree - the more space the better in bed. That's why my husband sleeps in another room (that and his chainsaw snoring). 🙂
Larissa@Just Another Day in Paradise
These look super yummy. Pinning for sure!
Julie
Oh I can't wait to make these. I love fall desserts!
The Farm Girl
Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl
I love anything carrot cake, and these cookies look devine!! I love that you added caramel bits to 'em...makes me think of Fall, and I am SO READY for that! Hope you had a great vacay!
Jocelyn
I am glad to hear that others are looking forward to Fall too:-) Bring on all the cinnamon, spice, and caramel treats!!!
Heather
I saved this recipe years ago and I just went back to it to make sure I have all ingredients to make them for a friends birthday as she always loves when I make them for her and the recipe changed. When I saved it, it was with the white chocolate chips, caramel bites, etc. Now I see it with raisins and coconut. Can you send me the original recipe in case I don't have it saved anywhere else?
Thank you!
Jocelyn
Hi, Heather. Wow I'm excited to know that people are still making recipes that I shared 10 years ago. I did change the recipe to make it better, but totally understand if you want the first one. I have added notes at the bottom of the recipe card for the original cookie. Let me know if you have any questions.
Holly
Joce!! I have missed you! Hope you had an amazing vacay!! These cookies look so good. I am printing the recipe now 🙂
Jocelyn
I missed you guys too, but it was good to get away and be somewhat unplugged! You are going to love these cookies!!!
Anina Meyer
Cookies are such a versatile and easy thing to bake! If I feel bored in the kitchen - I mix up a batch and bake some COOKIES! Yours look absolutely divine! Thanx!
Jocelyn
Thank you...and now you have me convinced I need to make more cookies today:-)
Carrie Burrill
I am always amazed at the things people can create with a simple cake mix! These cookies look and sound amazing. And I agree.... bigger is better!
Jocelyn
I puffy heart using cake mixes for just about everything! So quick and easy:-)
Winnie
LOL - I also love big beds (and we actually have one), and BIG cookies!:)
Never tried carrot cookies though
If you ever make these from scratch I'd love to have the recipe! We don't really use here cake-mix
Jocelyn
No cake mixes? Oh that is very sad! I am sorry to hear that!
Michele Alger
Sincerely, my only fear for making these is my knowledge that I will probably eat a good majority of them if not ALL!!! I absolutely LOVE carrot cake....alright! I'm making these.
Jocelyn
haha! That is a very legitimate fear to have over these cookies! You can't stop at just one!!!
Danielle
These look delicious! Great post and thanks for sharing!
Danielle @ HealingtheHeaviness.com
Shiloh Barkley
These look sooooo good! mmmm
http://www.shilohstaste.com
Meghan
Oh my! This sound delightful!!!!
Pammy
I heart carrot cake! I can't wait to show these bad boys off, very unique and look easy to make! Thank you!
Jocelyn
Yes, they are so easy to make. You are going to love them:-)
Aimee
I love carrot cake! These are beautiful. I never thought to make carrot cake cookies (muffins, yes, cookies, not yet)!
Averie @ Averie Cooks
Caramel, cinnamon, spice, carrot cake - oh everything about these is just perfect! And white choc! I just made something with carrot/cake but won't be posting it for awhile and now I want to make these!
Jocelyn
These are the perfect fall cookie right? I can't wait to see your post:-)
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel
Jocelyn, I love that you used caramel bits and white chocolate chips in these! Now, admittedly, carrot cake isn't my favorite, but I think I would be scarfing these cookies down by the handful! They look SO puffy and yummy!