Carrot Cookies are a charming example of mid-century American home baking, where simple pantry ingredients were combined with garden staples to create soft, flavorful treats. This recipe uses mashed cooked carrots to add natural sweetness, moisture, and a subtle earthy flavor that pairs beautifully with warm vanilla notes. Often topped with a bright orange butter icing, these cookies strike a balance between cake-like softness and classic cookie structure. Recipes like this gained popularity during times when resourcefulness in the kitchen was essential, making vegetables a creative addition to desserts. The result is a nostalgic, lightly spiced cookie with a tender crumb and a distinctive, comforting taste.
Ingredients
- 1 cup shortening (part butter)
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 cup carrots (cooked & mashed)
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ¾ cup coconut (or ½ cup finely cut nuts)
Orange Butter Icing:
- ⅓ cup butter
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tbsp concentrated orange juice
Instructions
Step 1: Cream Base
- Mix shortening (and butter if using) with sugar until smooth and creamy.
Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients
- Beat in mashed carrots and eggs until fully combined.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
Step 4: Mix Batter
- Gradually stir dry ingredients into the wet mixture.
Step 5: Add Flavorings
- Stir in vanilla extract and coconut or nuts if using.
Step 6: Prepare for Baking
- Drop dough by spoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto a baking sheet.
Step 7: Bake Cookies
- Bake at 375 to 400°F for 10 to 12 minutes, until lightly touched and no imprint remains.
Step 8: Cool Cookies
- Allow cookies to cool completely before icing.
Step 9: Make Icing
- Cream butter and powdered sugar, then mix in concentrated orange juice.
Step 10: Frost Cookies
- Spread icing over cooled cookies.
Tips
- Add cinnamon or nutmeg for a spiced version
- Use walnuts or pecans for added crunch
- Substitute butter entirely for richer flavor
- Try cream cheese frosting instead of orange icing
- Add raisins for a carrot cake-style cookie
- Chill dough for thicker cookies
- Use whole wheat flour for a heartier texture
- Reduce sugar slightly if using sweetened coconut
Nutrition
Calories: 180kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 2gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 120mgPotassium: 90mgFiber: 1gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 2200IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!