By Dr. Leah Alexander | Published on September 30, 2023 | Last Updated on February 11, 2024
Trader Joe’s is a beloved specialty grocery store that has been providing unique and high-quality products to its customers for generations.
With its friendly atmosphere, affordable prices, and wide range of innovative products, it has become a go-to destination for food enthusiasts and casual shoppers alike.
One of their most popular items is the Trader Joe’s Carrot Cake Cookies, a delicious twist on the classic carrot cake.
In this article, we will guide you through how to recreate these indulgent cookies at home using simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions.
What are Trader Joe’s Carrot Cake Cookies?
Trader Joe’s Carrot Cake Cookies are a delicious and unique treat that combines the flavors of traditional carrot cake with the convenience of a cookie.
It features ingredients from Trader Joe’s including oats, coconut, and California raisins, making it both flavorful and nutritious. These cookies have a soft and chewy texture filled with bursts of sweetness from the raisins and carrots.
They are then topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting, taking this cookie to the next level. Whether you’re a fan of carrot cake or just looking for a new and exciting dessert option, these cookies are sure to satisfy your cravings.
If you like these carrot cake cookies, you’ll surely want to try out these pecan carrot cake, Edward Delling williams carrot cake, and homemade Costco carrot cake.
How Does It Taste Like?
You’ll love the combination of flavors in these cookies – from the warm and fragrant cinnamon to the sweet and chewy California raisins, each bite is full of deliciousness.
The use of carrots in the cookie dough adds a unique twist and gives these cookies a vibrant orange color, making them visually appealing as well.
The addition of carrots adds a subtle sweetness and a hint of crunch, making these cookies unique and satisfying. The cream cheese frosting on top adds a decadent touch to these cookies. It’s like having a slice of carrot cake in cookie form!
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Ingredients
- All-Purpose Flour: It is the most common type of flour used in baking, with its protein content ranging from 10-12%. It is made from a mixture of hard and soft wheat varieties.
- Old Fashioned Rolled Oats: A very versatile grain that can be used in baking, as well as in hot cereal or trail mixes. They are high in fiber and are known to help lower cholesterol.
- Baking Soda: A leavening agent, it helps to give baked goods a light and airy texture.
- Coconut: The meat of the coconut is used in many sweet dishes to add flavor and texture. It is rich in fiber and has a slightly sweet taste.
- Baking Powder: Used as a leavening agent, it helps to give baked goods a light and airy texture.
- Cinnamon: A sweet-smelling spice with a warm, fragrant flavor. It is often used to add sweetness and depth of flavor to baking.
- Salt: An essential ingredient for baking that adds flavor and helps to balance out the sweetness of other ingredients.
- California Raisins: Sweet, plump raisins that are popularly used in many baked goods, such as cakes and cookies.
- Unsalted Butter: A dairy product that is made by churning cream to separate the solid fat from the liquid. It is often used in baking for its flavor and texture.
- Brown Sugar: Darker and stickier than granulated sugar, it adds a rich flavor and moist texture to baked goods.
- Granulated Sugar: A sweetener made from either cane or beet sugar. It is often used in baking for its sweetness.
- Eggs: A very versatile ingredient that helps bind ingredients together and adds richness to baked goods.
- Vanilla Extract: Made by combining alcohol with vanilla beans, it is used to add a sweet flavor and aroma to baking.
- Carrots: Rich in beta-carotene and other antioxidants, this vibrant orange vegetable is often added to cakes and cookies for its sweetness and texture.
Step by Step Directions
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease two large baking sheets with oil or butter and set aside.
Step 2
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, baking soda, coconut, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
Step 3
In a large bowl using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat together the butter and sugars until creamy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla extract.
Step 4
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Gently stir in the California raisins and carrots.
Step 5
Using a tablespoon or small ice cream scoop, drop the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes until lightly golden brown. Allow to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 6
For the frosting, in a medium bowl using an electric mixer beat together the butter and cream cheese until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Add in the vanilla extract and mix until combined.
Step 7
Spread or pipe the frosting onto the cookies.
Tips
- Try using freshly grated carrots for an even more intense carrot flavor in your cookies.
- You can also make these cookies vegan by substituting the eggs for flax or chia seeds.
- If you like, you can add a cup of chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds to these cookies for an extra crunch.
- Try using cream cheese frosting instead of buttercream for an even richer flavor and texture.
Nutrition Information
How to store Trader Joe’s Carrot Cake Cookies?
These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep them fresh for longer, they can also be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
For longer storage, wrap the cookies individually in plastic wrap and place them in a sealed freezer-safe bag or container. They can be kept frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, simply thaw at room temperature or microwave for a few seconds until soft.
What other substitute can I use in Trader Joe’s Carrot Cake Cookies?
- Instead of using California raisins, you can substitute with golden raisins or currants for a slightly different flavor profile.
- For those who are gluten-free, you can use almond flour or a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of regular flour.
- To make these cookies dairy-free, you can substitute the butter with coconut oil or vegan butter and use a dairy-free cream cheese for the frosting.
Trader Joe’s Carrot Cake Cookies Recipe
Equipment
- bowl
- Electric mixer
- baking sheet
Ingredients
For The Cookies:
- 1 tsp Clabber Girl Baking Soda
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 2 cups unsweetened coconut
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 cups California Raisins
- 3 cups shredded carrots finely chopped
- 2 cups unsalted butter
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups light brown sugar
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla
For The Frosting:
- 1 cup Unsalted butter softened
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 4 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 12 ounces Philadelphia Cream Cheese softened
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease two large baking sheets with oil or butter and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour, oats, baking soda, coconut, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.
- Using a hand mixer or stand mixer in a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Stir in the California raisins and carrots.
- Drop tablespoon-sized balls of cookie dough onto prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until lightly golden brown. Allow to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For the frosting, beat together the butter and cream cheese until creamy using an electric mixer in a medium bowl. Gradually add the powdered sugar and mix until fluffy. Add in the vanilla extract and mix until combined.
- Spread or pipe the frosting onto the cooled cookies.
Notes
- Try using freshly grated carrots for an even more intense carrot flavor in your cookies.
- You can also make these cookies vegan by substituting the eggs for flax or chia seeds.
- If you like, you can add a cup of chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds to these cookies for an extra crunch.
- Try using cream cheese frosting instead of buttercream for an even richer flavor and texture.
FAQs
Can I use pumpkin instead of carrots?
While this guide calls for carrots, you can certainly experiment with using pumpkin as a substitute. The texture and flavor may differ slightly, but it should still result in a tasty cookie.
Are these cookies suitable for people with dietary restrictions?
These cookies can be easily modified to accommodate different dietary restrictions. By substituting key ingredients like eggs, butter, and flour, you can make them vegan or gluten-free. As always, it is important to carefully read the ingredient labels and consult with a healthcare professional if you have any allergies or dietary restrictions.
What can I serve with the cookies?
These cookies are great served with a cold glass of milk or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgence. They also make for a great treat to bring to parties or potlucks. Overall, these cookies are versatile and can be enjoyed in many ways!
Conclusion
Thank you for taking the time to learn about Trader Joe’s Carrot Cake Cookies. We hope this guide has inspired you to try out this unique treat, or maybe even put your own spin on it!
Please share this article with your friends and family who are fans of Trader Joe’s or those who simply love a good dessert.
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Dr. Leah Alexander, M.D., is a board-certified Pediatrician in New Jersey and has been working at Elizabeth Pediatric Group of New Jersey since 2000.
She also has a passion for culinary arts that extends beyond the medical realm. After completing culinary school at the French Culinary Institute, she started Global Palate, LLC, a catering firm, in 2007. She ran her own six-year-old catering company and served small group parties as an owner and executive chef.
