Wednesday, April 8, 2020

Carrot Cake Cookies with Nielsen-Massey Tahitian Pure Vanilla Extract

Hello friends!  I hope you and your families are doing well.  When the shelter-in-place order was issued for my county, I found myself staying at home stress baking.  Lots of cookies, bread and brownies have been consumed as we try to make the best of this unfortunate circumstance. 

 With the help of Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, I'm back to share with you “Better Your Bake” tips and tools to help home bakers learn and master the basics of baking.  Nielsen-Massey is working on releasing new tips and videos.  In the meantime, you can bake your way through to the next level with their technique-based videos from last year.  

To participate, I was invited to share a recipe inspired by a “Better Your Bake” tip.

As I was looking through my saved recipes, I came across my favorite carrot cake recipe and decided to turn it into cookies, just in time for Easter!  



 
 




Ingredients Cookies
1 cup butter, softened  
3/4 cup sugar 
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar 
2 large eggs 
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 
1 teaspoon baking soda 
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 
1/2 teaspoon salt 
4 medium (2 cups) carrots, grated 
1 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup raisins

Ingredients Cream Cheese Frosting
8 ounces cream cheese
1/2 stick salted butter (4 tablespoons)
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon Tahitian Pure Vanilla Extract

Directions Carrot Cake Cookies
Heat oven to 350°F.  Combine butter, sugar and brown sugar in bowl.  Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy.  Add eggs one at a time and 2 teaspoons vanilla; beat until well mixed.  Add flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; beat at low speed, scraping bowl often, until well mixed. Stir in carrots, raisins and pecans. Scoop the dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto greased cookie sheets. Bake 11-13 minutes or until lightly browned around edges. Cool completely. *Once cooled, use round cookie cutter to achieve round cookie shape perfect for sandwiching filled cookies.

Directions Cream Cheese Frosting
Combine powdered sugar, butter, cream cheese and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla in bowl; beat at medium speed until smooth and creamy.

Watch “How to Fill a Homemade Pastry Bag for Piping” to learn how to make one in the comfort of your own home.



*This post was made possible through a partnership with Nielsen-Massey. All opinions expressed are my own.