Inside-Out Carrot Cake Cookies

I made these fun cookies a few months back when I still had some leftover matchstick carrots from Scout's birthday—and I'm not really much of a carrot person unless it's in cake. :) I bookmarked this recipe a long time ago and it's simple, has nice presentation, and is super tasty! These cookies are soft, chewy, and just slightly salty—my favorite.

Inside-Out Carrot Cake Cookies
Makes about 11 sandwiches or 22 individual cookies
1 1/8 c. flour
1 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1 stick (1/2 c.) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/3 c. plus 2 T. packed light brown sugar
1/3 c. plus 2 T. granulated sugar
1 large egg
1/2 t. vanilla extract
1 c. coarsely grated carrots (or matchstick carrots, roughly chopped)
1 c. walnuts, chopped
1/2 c. raisins (I omitted)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease two baking sheets or line with a Silpat.

In a bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

In a separate mixing bowl, beat together butter, sugars, egg, and vanilla at medium speed until light and fluffy, about two minutes. Mix in carrots, nuts, and raisins at low speed, then add flour mixture and beat until just combined.

Drop about 1 1/2 tablespoons of dough per cookie onto prepared baking sheets (I recommend using an ice cream or cookie scoop for even baking and even cookie size), about 2 inches apart, and bake until cookies are lightly browned, 12 to 16 minutes. Cool cookies on cookie sheet about 1 minute then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Cream Cheese Frosting (half recipe of what I use for red velvet):
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 t. vanilla extract
2 c. confectioners' sugar, or to taste

In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla together until smooth. Add the sugar and on low speed, beat until incorporated. Increase the speed to high and mix until very light and fluffy.

Once the cookies are completely cool, make sandwiches with a dollop of cream cheese frosting in the middle.