Are you a fan of carrot cake but want a healthier alternative? Look no further than these delicious and guilt-free Healthy Carrot Cake Cookies. I’ve taken my favorite carrot cake cookie recipe and adapted it to make it even healthier.
Not only are they dairy-free and gluten-free, but they also don’t contain any refined sugar. Packed with the natural sweetness of carrots and a hint of cinnamon, these cookies are the perfect treat for those with dietary restrictions or anyone looking to make healthier choices.
With every bite, you’ll be transported to a world of moist, flavorful goodness that rivals traditional carrot cake. So go ahead and indulge in these wholesome cookies without any guilt!
If you are a fan of carrots I have more recipes you’ll love: Giant Roasted Carrots.
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Key Takeaways:
- Healthy Alternative: These Healthy Carrot Cake Cookies are dairy-free, gluten-free, and contain no refined sugar, making them perfect for anyone with dietary restrictions or looking to make healthier choices.
- Brain-Boosting Benefits of Carrots: Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, antioxidants, and essential nutrients that support brain health, memory, and cognitive function while protecting against neurodegenerative disorders.
- Natural Sweetness: The cookies are naturally sweetened with grated carrots and a hint of cinnamon, offering a guilt-free indulgence without sacrificing flavor.
- Smart Sugar Substitutes: Use monk fruit or stevia instead of artificial sweeteners like Splenda or Sweet’n Low to maintain gut health. For powdered sugar consistency, blend sugar alternatives in a high-speed blender.
- Simple, Nutritious Ingredients: Key ingredients include brown sugar, vegan butter, grated carrots, and a blend of spices, combined with a creamy vegan carrot frosting.
- Versatile Recipe: Perfect for any occasion, these cookies deliver the comforting flavors of carrot cake in a convenient, healthier format.
Neuro-Nutrition Nugget - Carrots
Carrots are packed with essential nutrients for the brain. Carrots provide many benefits that support brain function and cognitive health.
One key nutrient in carrots is beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in our bodies. Vitamin A is crucial for maintaining healthy brain cells and promoting optimal brain function. It is vital in enhancing our memory, concentration, and overall cognitive abilities. Additionally, carrots are rich in antioxidants that protect our brain cells from damage caused by harmful free radicals. These antioxidants help prevent the age-related decline in cognitive function and reduce the risk of developing neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Moreover, carrots are a great source of other essential nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin K, and various minerals such as potassium and manganese. These nutrients work together to support brain health by improving blood flow to the brain, reducing inflammation, and promoting the production of neurotransmitters that regulate mood and cognitive function.
SIS Tip – Simple is Smart
- What can you did if you are using Monk Fruit, Stevia, or Erythritol as a replacement for powdered sugar? Take the sugar substitute and put it in a high speed blender. Blend until the consistency of powdered sugar.
- When you are using a sugar replacement, choose stevia or monk fruit over splenda or sweet and low. Both splenda and sweet and low may damage your microbiome while monk fruit and stevia don’t harm our microbiome.
Ingredients for Carrot Cake Cookies
- Brown Sugar
- Vegan Butter
- Egg
- Vanilla
- Grated Carrots
- Flour
- Pumpkin Pie Spice
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Salt
- Coconut Cream
Carrot Frosting Ingredients
- Vegan Butter
- Vegan Cream Cheese
- Vanilla
- Sugar Alternative
- Gel Food Coloring
Step by Step Instructions for the Carrot Cake Cookies
FAQ:
Q: Are these cookies suitable for people with gluten or dairy allergies?
A: Yes, they are dairy-free and gluten-free, making them an excellent option for those with such dietary restrictions.
Q: How can I make a sugar-free powdered sugar substitute?
A: Blend a sugar alternative like monk fruit or stevia in a high-speed blender until it reaches a powdered sugar consistency.
Q: What are the health benefits of using carrots in this recipe?
A: Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, antioxidants, and other essential nutrients that support brain health, memory, and overall cognitive function.
Q: Can I use a regular sweetener instead of monk fruit or stevia?
A: Yes, but monk fruit and stevia are recommended for their gut-friendly properties compared to artificial sweeteners like Splenda.
Q: What makes the carrot frosting unique?
A: The frosting combines vegan butter, vegan cream cheese, a sugar alternative, and gel food coloring for a creamy, flavorful topping.
Q: Can I substitute any of the main ingredients in the recipe?
A: You can experiment with alternatives like coconut sugar for brown sugar or almond flour for regular flour, but results may vary.
Healthy Carrot Cake Cookies
Equipment
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- To see the ingredient amounts in metric units, click the blue "METRIC:" button between the ingredients and the instructions for this recipe.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- ⅔ cup brown sugar
- 1 stick Vegan butter
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ½ cup grated carrots
- 1 tbsp coconut cream
- 1¾ cup gluten free measure for measure flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 Large Egg
Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting
- 2 ounces vegan cream cheese I used Philidelphia Brand
- 1 tbsp Vegan Butter
- 2 cups Powdered Sugar substitute( see notes)
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 or 2 drops Food coloring
Instructions
Make the Cookie Dough
- preheat the oven to 350℉
- Cream together the Vegan butter and brown sugar
- Add the egg, vanilla, and grated carrots, and beat in. See notes for vegan egg (1) alternatives.
- Add the baking powder, baking soda, salt pumpkin pie spice, to the gluten free flour. I used King Arthur Baking gluten-free measure for measure flour. Mix in.
- Add the flour mixture to the cookie dough. Mix in .
- Using a 1 tbsp. cookie scoop (small size) form the dough into balls and place 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Slightly flatten the cookies with the palm of your hand.
- Bake for 9 - 10 minutes. Cool completely before frosting
Make Carrots frosting
- Beat together Vegan Cream Chees and vegan butter.
- Add the two cups of King Arthur Baking Baking Sugar Alternative that you made into powdered sugar. (see notes)
- Add the vanilla and beat until the consistency of frosting.
- Split the frosting into 1/3 and 2/3 portions. Color the smaller portion green for the carrot tops and the larger portion orange for the carrots.
- Use a piping bag with a round tip for the carrots the size of the tip depends on how large you want the carrots to be. The width of the tip will be the width of your carrot. Use a star tip to pipe the green frosting for the carrot tops. Watch the video for a visual on how to make the carrots.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day. You can store the cookies unfrosted for up to 3-4 days. Once they are frosted, freeze or refrigerate. after one day.
