WW2 Carrot Cookies Recipe (2024)

If you're craving a vintage dessert recipe that is also delicious, don't miss this carrot cookies recipe from the 1930s.

By: RecipeLion.com Test Kitchen

13 Comments

WW2 Carrot Cookies Recipe

By: RecipeLion.com Test Kitchen

This WW2 Carrot Cookies Recipe will impress your grandmother! This particular recipe is kind of like a mix of muffins and cookies with a dash of cake - what more could you want?

The cream cheese frosting on top gives them a great dessert quality, but if you leave off the frosting, these cookies could easily pass for a decently healthy breakfast treat.

Make these tasty vintage cookies for a special occasion like Christmas or Easter, or just a Wednesday you feel like sweetening up!

Serves36 cookies

Preparation Time25 min

Cooking Time12 min

Ingredients

2 cups carrots, peeled and sliced (1 cup after cooking)
3/4 cup unsalted butter
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon chopped candied ginger
1 cup chopped walnuts
Cream Cheese Frosting
8 ounces cream cheese, room temp
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temp
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar

Instructions

In a small saucepan cook the carrots with water until tender. Drain and mash.
Heat oven to 375 F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
In the bowl of a stand mixer cream the butter with the sugars until light and fluffy.
Add the egg and vanilla and beat until combined.
On low speed, add the mashed carrots.
In a medium bowl whisk the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
On low speed add to the butter/sugar mixture.
Stir in the candied ginger and chopped walnuts.
Using a 2-tablespoon sized cookie scoop drop the cookie batter onto the baking sheet leaving 2 inches between the cookies.
Bake for 11-12 minutes until firm, they will not be brown. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes then carefully transfer to a cooling rack.
In the bowl of a stand mixer using a paddle attachment whip the cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add in the vanilla.
Slowly add the confectioners’ sugar and mix until fully incorporated and frosting is light and fluffy.
Spread the frosting on the cookies.

Why the carrot craze in WW2?

These cookies are inspired by recipes that were popular in Britain during World War II, but you might be wondering what the connection is! Carrots were very popular in baked goods because they were a good substitute for sugar, which was rationed during the war. Recipes for carrot cookies, carrot cakes, and even carrot flan were developed, and the best recipes are still enjoyed today.

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AuntKarolyn

Oct 28, 2018

These WW2 Carrot Cookies are absolutely divine. They are almost like little individual carrot cakes with all the great flavors of carrot cake in a chewy, delectable cookie with the perfect amount of crunchy nuts. Of course the cream cheese frosting is the perfect finishing touch. You need to make these delightful cookies for your family, they will love you for it.

Lynn K

Jul 03, 2018

I made these this morning. The children had friends over this afternoon and they finished off every last crumb! Luckily I had eaten one earlier....lol. Delicious! I loved the texture and the flavour was really superb. The 2 teenagers say they are going to make another batch after school tomorrow and will not be having any friends over.....YAY!!!

Sleepy Jules

May 04, 2018

I've had pumpkin cookies before but never carrot cookies - this'll be interesting!

cubagirleisenberge r 4369165

Mar 01, 2018

When I view this recipe on my computer, the directions stop after step 6, leaving out combining wet and dry ingredients as well as the oven temp and cook time. How do I get the rest of the directions?