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#### Instructions:
1. **Preheat Your Oven**:
– Start by preheating your oven to **350°F (175°C)**. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent the cookies from sticking.
2. **Prepare the Dry Ingredients**:
– In a medium bowl, whisk together the **flour**, **baking soda**, **cinnamon**, **nutmeg**, and **salt**. Set this mixture aside.
3. **Cream the Butter and Sugar**:
– In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the **butter**, **brown sugar**, and **granulated sugar**. Beat the mixture for about 2-3 minutes, until it becomes light and fluffy.
4. **Add the Egg and Vanilla**:
– Add the **egg** and **vanilla extract** to the butter mixture, and beat until combined.
5. **Mix in the Carrots**:
– Stir in the finely grated **carrots**. The grated carrots add moisture and sweetness to the cookies, making them soft and chewy.
6. **Add the Dry Ingredients**:
– Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in dense cookies.
7. **Fold in the Add-Ins**:
– If you’re using any optional ingredients like **oats**, **nuts**, **raisins**, or **shredded coconut**, fold them into the cookie dough now. These add-ins will give the cookies extra texture and flavor.
8. **Scoop and Bake**:
– Use a spoon or cookie scoop to drop heaping tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Flatten each dough ball slightly with the back of the spoon.
– Bake in the preheated oven for about **10-12 minutes** or until the edges of the cookies are golden brown. The centers should look soft but set.
9. **Cool and Enjoy**:
– Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This will help them firm up and maintain their shape.
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### Tips for Perfect Carrot Cake Cookies
– **Don’t overmix the dough**: When adding the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
– **Grate the carrots finely**: For the best texture, use finely grated carrots. Larger chunks may make the cookies too dense or uneven in texture.
– **Use room temperature butter**: Make sure your butter is softened before mixing, as it helps achieve that perfect light and fluffy texture.
– **Customize your add-ins**: The beauty of carrot cake cookies is that they can be personalized. Feel free to skip the raisins or nuts if you prefer, or add some of your favorites like chocolate chips or dried cranberries.
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### Why You’ll Love These Carrot Cake Cookies
– **Delicious Flavor**: With a warm blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and fresh carrots, these cookies offer all the flavors of classic carrot cake in a portable, easy-to-eat form.
– **Soft and Chewy**: These cookies are soft and chewy, thanks to the grated carrots and the butter, making each bite melt in your mouth.
– **Versatile**: Whether you want to enjoy them with a cup of tea, add them to a dessert platter, or give them as gifts, these cookies are perfect for any occasion.
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### Final Thoughts
Carrot Cake Cookies offer the best of both worlds: they’re delicious and indulgent, yet still packed with the comforting flavors and textures of carrot cake. The combination of warm spices, sweet carrots, and optional add-ins like raisins and nuts creates a treat that is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.
So, the next time you’re in the mood for something sweet, skip the usual store-bought options and bake up a batch of these wholesome carrot cake cookies. They’re perfect for a cozy snack, an easy dessert, or a fun treat to share with friends and family.
Enjoy the delicious flavor of carrot cake in the form of a cookie—and don’t be surprised if they disappear faster than you can bake them!
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