Carrot Cookies With Mascarpone Frosting

By Susan Feliciano
@frenchtutor

Since I learned how to make cookies with a cake mix, I've been trying different combinations. This one crept into my mind the other day, and the family pronounced it VERY FINE!

Rating:

★★★★★ 21 votes

Comments:

156 Comments

Serves:

2 1/2 dozen

Prep:

20 Min

Cook:

15 Min

Method:

Bake

Blue Ribbon Recipe

Notes from the Test Kitchen:
Individual carrot cakes in cookie form... topped with creamy mascarpone icing? LOVE!

Ingredients

1 pkg: duncan hines decadent carrot cake mix
2: eggs
1/2 c: butter
1 c: very hot water
1 c: dry oats
1 c: sugar
1/3 c: heavy cream
1/4 c: butter
1/4 c: mascarpone cheese, or cream cheese, softened
1 c: powdered sugar
1 tsp: vanilla
1/2 c: chopped toasted almonds, or pecan halves

How to Make Carrot Cookies With Mascarpone Frosting

Step-by-Step

1This cake mix comes with a packet of cake mix, and a packet of dehydrated carrots and raisins. Mix the carrots/raisins with the hot water and let sit 10 minutes. Then drain and press out all the water; set aside. Preheat oven to 350°. Prepare cookie sheets with parchment paper or spray lightly with oil.
2Beat together the cake mix and the butter. Beat in eggs one at a time. Stir in oats and the drained carrot/raisin mixture until all is well mixed.
3Drop by tablespoons on prepared cookie sheets. Using a spoon dipped in water to prevent sticking, press each cookie slightly flat. This is important because the cookies do not spread.
4Bake cookies for about 13-14 minutes. Remove pans from oven, wait about 5 minutes, then remove cookies to rack to finish cooling.
5TO MAKE FROSTING:
Bring sugar, cream, and butter to a full rolling boil and boil for only 1 minute. Remove from heat.
Stir in the mascarpone cheese by spoonfuls until all is melted and combined. Then stir in the powdered sugar and vanilla.
Keep beating by hand about 5-7 minutes, until it thickens up.
6To frost cookies, leave cookies on racks, with waxed paper underneath. Spoon frosting over cookies, about 1 teaspoon for each cookie. It will spread out some and may run down the sides. If it's too runny, let it cool some more before proceeding.
7Press about 1/2 teaspoon chopped toasted almonds into the frosting of each cookie. Or alternately, press one pecan half into the frosting on top of cookie. For those who don't eat nuts (and we have one of those), just leave them plain. Drizzle a little more frosting on if you like.