Carrot Cake Mix Cookies
Carrot Cake Mix Cookies are an easy shortcut dessert that tastes like carrot cake in handheld form. They’re topped with a creamy homemade cream cheese frosting and crunchy walnuts for the perfect sweet finish. Best of all, they’re ready in about 30 minutes, making them a go-to recipe for holidays, bake sales, or anytime cravings hit.
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Cake mix keeps the prep easy while still giving these cookies that soft, fluffy texture and warm spice flavor everyone loves. They’re the kind of simple homemade treat that works just as well for holiday gatherings as they do for an easy weekend baking project.
Why You’ll Love It
- Easy: The boxed cake mix makes this recipe quick and simple to prepare.
- Soft Texture: The cookies from carrot cake mix bake up fluffy with a delicious cake-like texture.
- Creamy Frosting: Homemade cream cheese frosting adds a rich and creamy finish.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: They can easily be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator.
Cake Mix Carrot Cookies Ingredients
See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and measurements.
Substitutions and Variations
- Nut-Free: Leave out the walnuts completely if needed for allergies or preferences.
- Pecan Swap: Use chopped pecans instead of walnuts for a slightly sweeter crunch.
- Add Raisins: Mix raisins into the batter for more classic carrot cake flavor.
- Coconut Topping: Sprinkle shredded coconut on top for extra texture and sweetness.
- Different Frosting: Try maple frosting instead of cream cheese frosting for a fun twist.
Carrot Cake Mix Cookies
Equipment
- Large baking sheet
- Rubber spatula or mixing spoon
- Tablespoon or cookie scoop
Ingredients
Cookies
- 13.25 ounces box carrot cake mix
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
Frosting
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- ½ stick unsalted butter softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the carrot cake mix, sour cream, eggs, and vegetable oil. Stir until fully combined and no dry spots remain.
- Scoop about 2 tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing the cookies apart evenly.
- Bake for 12 minutes, or until the cookies are puffed and lightly golden brown. Avoid overbaking.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. Cool completely before frosting.
- To make the frosting, beat the cream cheese and butter together in a large bowl until smooth and creamy.
- Slowly add the powdered sugar while mixing on low speed until fully combined. Add the vanilla extract and beat again until fluffy.
- Spread the frosting over the cooled cookies and sprinkle chopped walnuts on top. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- If the dough feels too wet, mix in a little flour until it becomes scoopable.
- Do not overbake the cookies or they may dry out.
- Always let the cookies cool completely before frosting.
Nutrition Information
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Kim’s Top Tips
- Use Room-Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter and cream cheese are fully softened before mixing; this will give you a smooth result.
- Use a Cookie Scoop: A cookie scoop helps keep the cookies evenly sized so they bake more consistently.
- Reshape While Warm: Right after the cookies come out of the oven, use the edge of a spoon or a round cookie cutter to gently shape them into perfect circles while they are still warm and soft.
How to Store
- Storage: Store leftover cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze the unfrosted cookies for up to 2 months. Thaw completely before frosting.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these carrot cake cookies with a hot cup of coffee, chai tea, or cold milk for an easy dessert everyone will love. They also make a great addition to holiday cookie trays alongside Cake Mix Cookies With Sprinkles, Lemon Oatmeal Cookies, or Crumbl Copycat Coconut Lime Cookies.
Carrot Cake Cookies From Cake Mix FAQs
Yes, if you have a homemade dry carrot cake mix recipe, it should work just fine.
You can, but the frosting texture may soften slightly after thawing.
Some cake mixes vary slightly. Add a little flour if needed until the dough is easy to scoop.
