Carrot Cake Cookies

Ingredients

2 sticks (8 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 cups flour
2 cups coarsly shredded carrots
2 cups fruit-and-nut granola
1 cup corn flakes
2 tablespoons granulated sugar

Directions

Position 2 racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees . Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and brown sugar until creamy, about 3 minutes. Mix in the eggs, vanilla and baking soda on medium speed until fluffy, scraping down the bowl as necessary. Mix in the flour on low speed. Stir in the carrots, granola and corn flakes.

Drop heaping tablespoons of dough about 2 inches apart on the prepared cookie sheets. Sprinkle with the granulated sugar and bake until golden, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool.

Other Info

Makes 30 servings
Prep: 30 mins
Bake 20 mins

Recipe by Rachael Ray

Carrot Cake

Ingredients

Cake
10.1 ounces all-purpose flour (about 2 1/4 cups)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups grated carrot
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
6 tablespoons butter, softened
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk
Cooking spray

Frosting
6 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 ounce fromage blanc
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°.

2. To prepare cake, weigh or lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups, and level with a knife. Combine flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add 2 cups grated carrot, tossing to combine.

3. Place granulated sugar, brown sugar, and 6 tablespoons butter in a large bowl. Beat with a mixer at medium speed until combined. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla. Add flour mixture and buttermilk alternately to sugar mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Spread batter into a 13 x 9-inch metal baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 28 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool cake completely on a wire rack.

4. To prepare frosting, place softened cream cheese and next 4 ingredients (through 1/8 teaspoon salt) in a medium bowl. Beat with a mixer at medium speed until fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating at medium speed until combined (don't overbeat). Spread frosting evenly over top of cake. Sprinkle evenly with toasted pecans.

Other Info

Kathy Kitchens Downie, RD, Cooking Light
APRIL 2011