Don’t be fooled, these deviled egg cookies might look like your standard party eggs on the appetizer table but they are meant for the dessert table!

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My original plan was to share these deviled egg cookies on April Fools’ Day because I legit fooled people into thinking they were deviled eggs, but alas I lost track of time and missed it by 2 days. Over the years I’ve not been the best at catching this holiday but I have shared plenty of silly-fun food recipes of the years.

For example: my recent carrot cake crepes, new ways of thinking of deviled eggs in the form of deviled potatoes and deviled strawberries, disaster turned fun holy crap cookies, rice krispie sushi for a nephew’s birthday, buckeye AND chocolate deviled eggs, and my every growing collection of Halloween and Cheetos recipes.

Some might say I have a thing for deviled eggs and deviled egg-like food. Some might be right, because obviously today is yet another silly deviled egg creation. This time instead of testing peoples limits by making a dessert filling for a real hard boiled egg white (it’s not that weird I promise, the egg white is just a mostly bland vehicle anyway) I went for something less scary for those that are not as adventurous – sugar cookies.

I baked these deviled egg cookies in an egg-shaped silicone baking mold a friend gifted to me for the sole purpose of making these (thanks Beth!). We had seen others online baking similar things but I had an idea – what if I dipped the tops in white chocolate to make them look like true egg whites? Sure enough if you dip them in white chocolate and lay them face down on wax paper, once they set and you peel them off they really do look like little egg white cavities ready to be filled with deviled egg filing. All that remained was a little lemon curd frosting for the filling and red sanding sugar for “paprika” to lock it in.

I do have to admit I was a little distressed that the white chocolate coated eggs weren’t perfectly shaped despite my best efforts to remedy the fact that the cookies obviously weren’t perfectly flat. However several people said they are more realistic to the struggles of peeling eggs to make deviled eggs which was hilariously accurate.

So instead of trying to make these again but *prettier* I decided to just go for it and share them in all their imperfect glory. The internet needs a little more reality even if it’s just in the chocolate coating of a cookie to make it look like a deviled egg. Even if deviled egg cookies are a bit of a distortion of reality – whoops!

DEVILED EGG COOKIES

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Yield: Approximately 20 Prep Time: 1 Hour 30 Minutes Cooking Time: 15 Minutes 15 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

SUGAR COOKIE

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt

TOPPING

• 6 oz. white chocolate candy coating
• 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 Tbsp lemon curd
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• Yellow and red food coloring
• Red sanding sugar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat three 8-cavity egg-shaped silicone baking molds with nonstick spray; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Blend in the egg and vanilla just until incorporated.
3. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to the butter mixture 1/3 at a time until incorporated.
4. Place a 1-1/2 tablespoon ball of dough into each cavity (I used a medium cookie scoop). Place silicone trays on a cookie sheet and bake for 15 minutes, rotating halfway through, or until the tops are slightly golden.
5. Remove from oven and immediately press an small indentation (where the egg yolk would have been if it were an egg) using the back of a measuring spoon. Allow to cool 10 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack to cool completely.
6. While the cookies cool, prepare the white chocolate. Line a flat tray with wax paper; set aside.
7. Melt white chocolate in a double boiler (or metal/glass bowl over a pot of lightly simmering water). Stir occasionally until smooth, and remove from heat.
8. Dip the top (flat side with indent) of the egg cookies into melted chocolate letting excess drip off. Place on wax paper, chocolate side down. Repeat with remaining cookies then refrigerate for 30 minutes or until set. 
9. While the chocolate sets, prepare the frosting. In a small bowl, beat together the butter, lemon curd, and powdered sugar until creamy. Add a couple drops of yellow food coloring and the smallest drop possible of red, mixing into the frosting to create a rich yellow color. Add a little milk or powdered sugar to reach desired consistency, but should remind you of deviled egg filling.
10. Spoon or pipe into the indentations of the cooled, white chocolate topped egg cookies. Sprinkle to red sanding sugar to resemble paprika. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Source: Adapted from my Sugar Cookie Spoons.

The adorable carrot cake crepes will be the star of your brunch spread this spring season, made easy with premade crepes.

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It’s the last day of Spring Sweets Week and I saved the cutest recipe for the end – carrot cake crepes that look like carrots! Seriously, how stinking cute are these? And they are so simple to put together using premade crepes.

The filling is a blend of cream cheese, whipped topping, pulverized carrot cake flavored Oreos (but you can substitute dry carrot cake mix), fresh shredded carrots, and pecans. Add a little orange for extra flavor and you’re ready to spread that creamy carrot cake filling over half a crepe to then be rolled up into a cone/carrot shape.

But the real trick is saving some of that filling before adding the smashed Oreos, carrots, and pecans, adding food coloring to dye it orange, drizzling on top and then sticking in some fresh parsley, cilantro, or maybe you have some carrot greens leftover from the carrot you shredded.

If you did happen to snag some carrots with the greens still attached, chances are you have a ton left (and carrots), so you should just go ahead and make carrot gnocchi with carrot top pesto to use them up and then serve these carrot cake crepes for dessert. Although I guess crepes are for breakfast? Do whatever feels right. Just know these don’t store well and are best enjoyed immediately.

Check out even more Spring Sweets Weeks recipes to serve along with these carrot cake crepes:

• Orange Poppy Seed Muffins by Hezzi-D’s Recipe Box
• Pineapple Pistachio Cake by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Deviled Egg Sugar Cookies by Jolene’s Recipe Journal
• Carrot Cake Tamale by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Dubai Chocolate Easter Eggs by Magical Ingredients
• Kentucky Derby Pie by Art of Natural Living
• Fresh Strawberry Snacking Cake with White Chocolate Chips by Karen’s Kitchen Stories
• Lemon Raspberry Pound Cake by Rave About Food

EASY CARROT CAKE CREPES

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Yield: 20 Crepes Prep Time: 30 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

• 8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
• 8 oz. container frozen whipped topping, thawed
• 2 Tbsp orange juice (~1/2 orange)
• Red and yellow food coloring
• 3/4 cup chopped carrot cake Oreos* (~8 cookies)
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans**
• 1/2 cup shredded carrots
• 10 crepes, halved (I used Melissa's Produce brand)
• 2 tsp milk
• Fresh cilantro, parsley, or carrot top greens, for garnish
• Orange zest, for garnish

Directions

1. In a medium bowl with a hand mixer, blend together the cream cheese, whipped topping, and orange juice. Remove 1/2 cup of mixture and place in a small bowl; set aside. To the medium bowl of filling, fold in the carrot cake cookies, chopped walnuts and shredded carrots until evenly distributed.
2. Spread 2 Tbsp of filling over each crepe half, leaving 1/2-inch around the edges. Starting at one end, roll the crepe up to create a cone/carrot shape. Repeat with each crepe half***.
3. To the small bowl of reserved filling, add a couple drops of red (~2) and yellow (~4) food coloring and stir to create an orange color. Add 2 teaspoons of milk to thin it enough to drizzle over the crepes.
4. Insert the stems of the carrot greens, mint, or parsley into the top of each crepe with leaves sticking out to resemble a carrot. Sprinkle with orange zest, if using, and serve immediately.

Notes

*If you cannot find the carrot cake Oreos, swap for 2/3 cup carrot or spice cake mix, but make sure to heat treat by heating in microwave to 160 degrees F - about 1 minute stirring every 15 seconds. **You could also add/substitute nuts for toasted coconut or raisins if you prefer. ***If not serving immediately, keep components separate until ready.

Source: Adapted from my Carrot Cake Dip, Cake Batter Fruit Dip, Oreo Cheesecake Fruit Dip, and A Season to Smile.

Nutty pistachio and tangy lemon pair exceptionally well in these soft and pillowy pistachio lemon ricotta cookies, topped with a lemon glaze and even more pistachios.

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On the second day of Spring Sweets Week I gave to you, a batch of pistachio lemon ricotta cookies. They may not be as colorful as the blood orange ricotta cookies recipe from which they were derived, but they certainly pack as much flavor.

The earthy nuttiness of the pistachios pairs just as well with the zesty freshness of lemon as it does with lime (as seen in key lime pistachio cheesecake and lemon-lime pistachio bars). And in case you were unsure what flavor you are dealing with, the yellow lemon glaze on top sprinkled with chopped pistachios should help.

Normally I am not a soft/pillowy cookie fan but these pistachio lemon ricotta cookies have just the right about of chewiness that I am on board. Of course that meant that I had to chop up the pistachios more finely so as to not have large crunchy spots in these otherwise soft textured cookies.

Don’t get me wrong, I love nuts in cookies but my husband often seems off-put by surprise nuts inside so that’s why I chopped them up smaller. Granted I then saved the larger pieces for topping but at least you can see those coming. My logic is flawless, don’t come at me.

• Strawberry Swirl Banana Bread by Hezzi-D’s Recipe Box
• Sushki by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Baked Carrot Cake Donuts by Jolene’s Recipe Journal
• Sourdough Cardamom Buns by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Carrot Halwa by Magical Ingredients
• Lavender Creme Brulee by Art of Natural Living
• Chocolate Raspberry Marble Pound Cake by Karen’s Kitchen Stories
• Easy Lemon Curd by Rave About Food

PISTACHIO LEMON RICOTTA COOKIES

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Yield: 4 dozen Prep Time: 40 MInutes Cooking Time: 10 Minutes 10 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

COOKIES

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1-3/4 cups granulated sugar
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• 15 oz. whole milk ricotta cheese, room temperature
• 3/4 cup finely chopped pistachios
• 2 Tbsp fresh lemon zest (from ~5 lemons)
• 1 Tbsp vanilla extract

GLAZE

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• ~1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (from ~5 lemons)
• Yellow food coloring, if desired
• 1/4 cup chopped pistachios

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats; set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder; set aside.
3. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar for 2 minutes, or until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, ricotta cheese, pistachios, zest, and vanilla and mix just until combined.
4. Add half the flour mixture and mix until combined. Repeat with the second half until a soft dough forms. Use a medium cookie scoop to roll into golf ball sized  balls and place on prepared baking sheet 2 inches apart.
5. Bake for 10 minutes or until the edges are slightly golden. Allow to cool 5 minutes on the pans before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining dough.
6. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl whisk together 1/2 cup of the powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla extract. Add the rest of the powdered sugar, then start to add the lemon juice a little at a time until you reach desired consistency (I prefer mine a bit less firm). Add a few drops of lemon food coloring, if desired, and mix until blended.
7. Spread glaze over the cooled cookies (or dip tops into the glaze) and sprinkle with chopped pistachios. Let set until firm.

Source: Adapted from my Blood Orange Ricotta Cookies.

This basil lime curd tart has a Biscoff crust, fresh strawberries on top, and is finished with basil whipped cream.

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What happens when you make something so good you think about it years later? Normal people would just make that same thing again, but what if it could be just as good but different? That’s what I did after dreaming about my blood orange curd tart for two years.

I changed almost everything about it from the crust, to the filling, and the topping. This time around the crust is crushed Biscoff (Speculoos) cookies because that’s one step up to traditional graham cracker crust, especially when the filling is a lime curd tart. But not just any lime curd, a basil lime curd tart.

Once the basil lime curd tart was set, I topped it with a heaping pile of macerated strawberries. A very organized heap, but a heap nonetheless. And no tart is complete without some chantilly cream (sweetened whipped cream) so I added a little basil to that too.

I made this for a friend’s birthday but it doubled up as the kick starter for Spring Sweets Week. Technically spring has begun but the weather is yo-yoing around that it’s hard to know what season it is from day to day. But instead of dressing for the job we want, we will be eating for the season we want. Check out what everyone else made listed right before the recipe for my strawberry basil lime curd tart.

• Strawberry Pop Tart Cookie Bars by Hezzi-D’s Recipe Box
• Napoleon with Fresh Berries by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Strawberry Lemon Crinkle Cookies by Jolene’s Recipe Journal
• Lemon Pudding Cake by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Matcha Strawberry Cream Buns by Magical Ingredients
• Lemon Crinkle Cookies by Art of Natural Living
• Bowtie Cookies with Strawberry Jam by Karen’s Kitchen Stories
• Lemon Lush by Rave About Food

STRAWBERRY BASIL LIME CURD TART

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Yield: 10 Servings Prep Time: 4 Hours 20 Minutes Cooking Time: 50 Minutes 50 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

CRUST

• 1 cup crushed Biscoff cookies
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 4 Tbsp cold, unsalted butter, cut into cubes
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

FILLING

• 10 Tbsp unsalted butter, cut into cubes
• 1 Tbsp lime zest (~2 limes)
• 1-1/4 cup lime juice (~10 limes)
• 1 cup granulated sugar 
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 4 eggs
• 2 egg yolks
• 4 large basil leaves

TOPPING

• 1 lb. sliced strawberries
• 3 Tbsp granulated sugar, divided
• 1 cup cold heavy whipping cream
• 1 large basil leaf, minced

Directions

1. Move the oven rack to the center of the oven and preheat to 350ºF.
2. Make the crust: In the bowl of a food processor* add the Biscoff cookies, sugar, and salt. Pulse to combine. Scatter the butter pieces over the top and drizzle with vanilla. Pulse until the butter is fully incorporated, 20-30 seconds**. 
3. Coat a 4 x 14-inch tart pan with a removable bottom*** with nonstick cooking spray. Transfer dough into the pan and press the crust evenly into the bottom and up the sides of the pan.
4. Place tart pan directly on oven rack and bake until the top edges of the crust are just barely starting to turn golden, 15-20 minutes, rotating pan halfway through baking. Remove and allow to cool on a wire rack. Lower the oven temperature to 325ºF.
5. Make the filling: Place the butter and lime zest in a heatproof bowl, then set a mesh strainer over the bowl; set aside.
6. In a medium saucepan, whisk together the sugar, salt, eggs, and egg yolks. While continuing to whisk, gradually pour in the lime juice until combined. Add basil leaves and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens slightly and reaches 160-165ºF on an instant-read thermometer, about 5-10 minutes. Immediately pour the curd through the prepared mesh strainer and into the bowl of butter. Whisk to combine then pour into the cooled crust.
7. Bake the tart at 325ºF until the the center wobbles like firm gelatin when gently shaken, 20-30 minutes. Remove and let cool to room temperature on a wire rack for about an hour, then chill until firm, 3-4 hours or overnight.
8. Make the topping: When ready to serve, in a medium bowl, combine the sliced strawberries and 2 Tbsp+2tsp sugar. Toss to coat and set aside to macerate. Meanwhile, in another medium bowl, whip the heavy cream until it form soft peaks. Add the remaining teaspoon of sugar and minced basil and whip further until it forms firm peaks. Serve topped with macerated strawberries and whipped cream on top.

Notes

*Can also use a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. **If using a stand mixer, run on medium-low until the dough comes together, 3–5 minutes. ***You can also use a 9-inch round tart pan.

Source: Adapted from my Blood Orange Curd Tart, inspired by Pick Yin.

That’s no robin’s egg on top, these Cadbury mini egg cheesecakes use spring’s favorite candy for a festive take on miniature cheesecake.

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Today is the official first day of spring but some of my bulb flowers already bloomed last week because of the extra freakish weather we’ve been having in Ohio. Legit it was in the 70s one day and snowing the next. Thankfully a friend gave me the novel idea of cutting them to put in vases inside. How I did not think of this on my own is a bit pathetic but they are safe indoors for as long as cut flowers can last – certainly longer than frost bitten ones.

Besides erratic weather, spring brings the best thing since the Reese’s pumpkins in the fall – Cadbury mini eggs! Personally, I prefer the royal dark ones because most mass produced milk chocolate is hardly chocolate anymore (I’m looking at you, Reese’s), but I also enjoy the dark chocolate as a contrast to an otherwise overly sweet treat. That being said, cheesecake isn’t overly sweet so you could use either type of Cadbury chocolate in these mini egg cheesecakes based on your preference.

Other than that I don’t really know what else you need to know to be convinced to make these mini egg cheesecakes, unless you are a purist and eat them straight out of the bag with no exceptions. If so, I respect that. But if you are willing to part with half a bag I think these are worth it. They are quicker to prepare than a full-sized cheesecake, can be made ahead (basically have to be due to chilling time), and are cute but not too cute to eat! But if cheesecake isn’t your jam then I also have recipes for Cadbury mini egg cookies, 7-layer bars, gooey butter cake, and rice treats.

CADBURY MINI EGG CHEESECAKES

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Yield: 1 dozen Prep Time: 10 Minutes Cooking Time: 35 Minutes 35 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

CRUST

• 1 sleeve (2 oz, 4 sheets) graham crackers, finely ground in food processor (~1 cup)
• 2 Tbsp butter, melted

FILLING

• 12 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 egg, room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 24 mini candy coasted chocolate eggs*, chopped (~1/2 cup)

GANACHE

• 1/2 cup chopped dark* chocolate
• 1 Tbsp heavy cream

TOPPING

• 1/4 cup shredded coconut, toasted
• 36 mini candy coasted chocolate eggs*

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine ground chocolate graham crackers and melted butter into a bowl until well combined.  Spoon into 12 mini cheesecake cups** that have been sprayed with cooking spray.  Press into the bottom of each cup so the crust is flat.  Partially bake for 5 minutes then remove from oven.
2. In a stand or electric mixer beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in egg and vanilla until combined. Fold in the chopped chocolate eggs.
3. Pour mixture evenly into the 12 cups, filling about 3/4 way full. Bake for 25-28 minutes or until cheesecake is cooked through. Let cool completely.
4. Meanwhile, in a small bowl add the chocolate and heavy cream. Microwave on 50% power for 1 minute, stirring every 15 seconds until melted.
5. Once cooled, remove cheesecakes from pan and top each with a teaspoonful of chocolate ganache, a sprinkle of toasted coconut, and 3 chocolate eggs. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

*I like Cadbury royal dark, but you can use milk chocolate if you prefer. **Can also use regular muffin pan with cupcake liners. Yield and cook time may differ.

Source: Adapted from my Mini Chocolate Chip Oreo Cheesecakes and decoration inspired by A Pumpkin and a Princess.

My second favorite Easter candy is magicked into Easter 7 Layer Bars just in time for the holiday.

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There are a few recipes I make on repeat but change up the components and 7 layers bars is definitely one of them. Just for holidays alone I have one is Valentine’s Funfetti, a lucky 7-layer bar for St. Patrick’s Day, two for Halloween, and also two for Christmas. It seemed only fair that I finally make Easter 7 layer bars with the second best Easter candy – cadbury mini eggs.

The first is obviously Reese’s eggs – did you really even need me to say it?

Not the Cadbury creme or caramel filled eggs, and not even the regular milk chocolate Cadbury mini eggs, I am talking about the harder to find royal dark chocolate cadbury mini eggs. That sweet and crunchy candy shell over the less sweet dark chocolate is just perfection.

I have made other recipes with cadbury mini eggs for Easter before including bird’s nest krispie treats, Easter gooey butter cake, and cadbury egg cookies but it was time for the literal magic of the 7 layer bars.

The graham cracker base (1) is layered with semisweet (2) and white chocolate (3), slivered almonds (4), coconut (5), chopped Cadbury mini eggs (6), and sweetened condensed milk (7). Add some sprinkles if you dare for festive flair. Toss it in the oven for 25 minutes, patiently let it cool for at least 2 hours and then you can dig in!

CADBURY MINI EGGS 7-LAYER BARS

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Yield: 2 Dozen Prep Time: 2 Hours 15 Minutes Cooking Time: 25 Minutes 25 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

• 8 Tbsp (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• 18 graham crackers (10 oz.), crushed
• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup slivered almonds
• 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
• 1 cup chopped Cadbury mini eggs
• 1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk

Directions

1. Adjust an oven rack to the lower-middle position and preheat to 350 degrees. Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with non-stick spray. Line the pan with two overlapping pieces of foil or parchment paper, leaving overhang to act as handles for lifting the bars out of the pan. Spray with non-stick spray.
2. In a medium bowl, combine melted butter and graham cracker crumbs until  distributed. Pour into the prepared pan and press evenly into the bottom.
3. Evenly sprinkle the chocolate chips, almonds, coconut, and chopped Cadbury mini eggs over the graham crumbs. Pour the condensed milk evenly over the entire dish.
4. Bake until the top is golden brown, about 25 minutes. Cool in the pan on a wire rack to room temperature, about 2 hours.
5. Remove the bars from the pan using the foil or parchment handles and transfer to a cutting board. Using a sharp knife cut into 24 bars.

Source: Adapted from my Chocolate Coconut Pecan 7-Layer Bars.

These carrot cake biscotti are dressed up for spring with a drizzle of lemon glaze and dried lemon peel on top. Perfect served with a cup of tea or enjoy alone!

This post is sponsored in conjunction with #SpringSweetsWeek. I received product samples from sponsor companies to help in the creation of the #SpringSweetsWeek recipes. All opinions are mine alone.

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Somehow, in over 12 years these Carrot Cake Biscotti are only the third biscotti recipe to ever grace the pages of The Spiffy Cookie – the other two being Nutella Stuffed Biscotti and Peanut Butter Stuffed Chocolate Biscotti (I like stuffed things, evidently).

But they are the ninth carrot cake-inspired recipe, joining the ranks of: Carrot Cake Banana Bread, Carrot Cake Batter Dip, Carrot Cake Cookies and even Carrot Cake Breakfast Cookies, Carrot Cake Oatmeal, Carrot Cake Pecan Pie, Carrot Cake Waffles, and of course Carrot Cake.

I don’t know about you, but carrot cake is one of the first cake flavors I think during the season of spring.

To freshen up the flavor of carrot cake for spring even further, once they are double baked, these carrot cake biscotti are drizzled with lemon glaze and sprinkled with with dried lemon peel on top. You can thank the generous sponsors of #SpringSweetsWeek for that flavor inspiration.

Speaking of, make sure to check out the other delicious treats listed before the recipe card. Then after the recipe card you can learn more about these fabulous sponsors of ours and enter to win some sweet swag!

We share recipes from #SpringSweetsWeek on Pinterest! Make sure you follow the board to see all the delicious recipes shared this week.

CARROT CAKE BISCOTTI

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Yield: 14 Biscotti Prep Time: 30 Minutes Cooking Time: 45 Minutes 45 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

BISCOTTI

• 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground allspice
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 6 Tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp almond extract
• 1/2 cup finely shredded carrot (about 1 medium)
• 1/2 cup shopped walnuts or pecans

TOPPING

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• Juice from 1 lemon
• Dried lemon peel, optional for garnish

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. In a medium-sized bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, allspice, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugars until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Beat in the eggs one at a time and extracts until just blended. Add the flour mixture on low speed of your mixer, stirring until smooth. Fold in the carrots and walnuts until evenly distributed.
4. Scoop the dough onto a large sheet of parchment paper. Roll out into a 10×6-inch rectangle. Carefully lift and transfer to a cookie sheet.
5. Bake for 25 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove from oven and allow it to cool on the pan for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, reduce the oven temperature to 300°F
6. Remove from the parchment and use a serrated knife to cut into 3/4-inch slices. Place back on the parchment-lined cookie sheet, cut-side-down, and bake 10 minutes. Flip and bake another 10 minutes or until golden.
7. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. While the cookies cool, in a small bowl whisk together the lemon juice and powdered sugar. Drizzle over cooled biscotti, sprinkles with dried lemon peel and allow to set before serving.

Source: Adapted from my Nutella Stuffed Biscotti and Lemon Olive Oil Sugar Cookies.

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Thank you #SpringSweetsWeek Sponsors: Selefina Spices, Anolon, Melissa’s Produce, and Taylor and Colledge for providing the prizes free of charge. These companies also provided the bloggers with samples and product to use for #SpringSweetsWeek recipes. All opinions are my own. The #SpringSweetsWeek giveaway is open to residents of the United States who are 18 years of age or older.   All entries for the winner will be checked and verified. By entering you give the right to use your name and likeness. The number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Four (4) winners will be selected. The prize packages will be sent directly from the giveaway sponsors. The #SpringSweetsWeek Bloggers are not responsible for the fulfillment or delivery of the prize packages. Bloggers hosting this giveaway and their immediate family members in their household cannot enter or win the giveaway. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or any other social channel mentioned in the #SpringSweetsWeek posts or entry.

Carrot Cake Cookies are exactly what you expect – soft spiced carrot cookies which are obviously topped with cream cheese frosting. Add a little carrot icing decoration for those spring festivities.

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If given the choice between cookies and cake I will pick cookies every time. I’m just a fan of the toothy-ness of a cookie over a fluffy cake. This is likely why I prefer denser cakes, such as carrot cake. But clearly even carrot cake is subject to being in cookie form.

These carrot cake cookies are made from scratch including the frosting (okay no I didn’t grind my own flour or make my own cream cheese), but obviously I didn’t make the carrot icing decorations. Wilton sent me those for some spring baking fun along with an adorably festive carrot shaped whisk.

Sure you could use a box of carrot cake mix to make them instead (like when I made red velvet cake mix cookies) paired with a jar of cream cheese frosting. TBH if I had a box of carrot cake mix on hand I would have gone that route but what I did have was carrots and all the other necessary ingredients. Yes, even cream cheese. I always have cream cheese.

What I am trying to say is, I get it if you’d rather take the shortcut if you happen to have cake mix in your pantry, but I’m betting it’s more likely you also the ingredients to make these from scratch rather than a box of carrot cake mix and jar of cream cheese frosting.

Another reason carrot cake is one of my favorites? The cream cheese frosting. So of course these cookies had to be topped with it. In the end they truly tasted like mini slices of dense carrot cake. I had to distance myself from them, so Bob brought them to work and they caused a commotion.

If you like the idea of sneaking vegetables into your cookies, you should also try my Glazed Orange Carrot Cookies. I have also made Carrot Cake Breakfast Cookies before without cream cheese frosting (because you, know trying to be healthier or breakfast) but they really were missing that little something special. If I make them again they for sure are getting the cream cheese treatment – #CreamCheeseLover

Five years ago: Living with Unnatural Hair Color: the truth & how to keep it vibrant

Seven years ago: German Chocolate Larabars

Eight years ago: Peepsters Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies

Eleven years ago: Double Cake Batter Truffle Ice Cream

CARROT CAKE COOKIES

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Yield: 4 dozen Prep Time: 30 Minutes Cooking Time: 12 Minutes 12 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

COOKIES

• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 2 cup grated carrots (about 4 carrots)
• 1 cup chopped pecans

FROSTING

• 8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• Wilton Carrot Icing Decorations

Directions

1. For the cookies: Preheat oven to 350 and line cookie sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, beat the butter, sugar, and brown sugar until light and creamy (about 2 minutes). Beat in the eggs and vanilla until combined.
3. To the butter mixture, add flour, baking soda, spices and salt and beat until just combined. Using a rubber spatula, fold in carrots and chopped pecans until combined.
4. Drop walnut-sized balls of dough (I used a medium cookie scoop) onto prepared cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until no longer shiny and edges are browned. Let cool on pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
5. For the frosting: In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese,  butter, and vanilla until smooth. Add powdered sugar one cup at a time, beating until smooth between addition, until it reaches desired consistency.
6. Frost cookies using an offset spatula. Top with carrot-shaped icing decorations or a pecan half.

Source: Adapted from Lil’ Luna and Carlsbad Cravings.

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These malted dark chocolate Cadbury egg cookies are speckled with candy coating resulting in both a chewy and crispy texture that you won’t be able to resist.

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Growing up I never really like the Cabury eggs, neither cream filled or caramel filled. In general I did not enjoy any gooey centered candy, which included gushers and those gooey centered strawberry hard candies. But then Cadbury came out with mini chocolate eggs without any filled, just a pretty candy coating. They are basically giant M&Ms, but for some reason I like them better.

I specifically love the dark chocolate version of the Cadbury mini eggs. While most of them are eaten straight out of the bag, I sometimes manage to save enough to create a recipe with them. This year I finally had enough will power to save enough to make cookies! It helps when you buy an extra bag…

Normally, my go-to chocolate chip cookie recipe is my classic chewy (and also one of the most popular recipes on my blog), but for some reason malted cookies make me think of Easter. So instead I modified a recipe I had previously shared for a malted chocolate chip cookie instead.

These cookies go against my rule of always using real butter. But you know what? Sometimes rules are made to be broken. And sometimes there’s just something about the texture you can from baking cookies with butter flavored vegetable shortening. I’d say they are one step closer to being dairy free if that’s something you look for – except for the malted milk powder, chocolate syrup, and chocolate.

I will say chopping those eggs was a battle, but you could make life easier on yourself by pulsing them in a food processor. But it was worth the effort. These chewy rich cookies are elevated by crispy bits of chopped candy coating flecks throughout the dough, creating a lovely texture. It’s crispy without being crunchy which is a lovely attribute.

And that dark chocolate is even better paired with the malted milk powder than I had hoped for. So grab some malted milk powder and set aside some Cay eggs because you’re going to want to make these! Even if you’re picking them off on sale post-Easter ;-).

Four years ago: Spring Cleaning & Organizing: POP to it with OXO

Six years ago: Toasted Coconut Bird’s Nest Krispies Treats

Seven years ago: Oven-Fried Parmesan-Panko Crusted Tilapia

Ten years ago: Orange Beef

MALTED DARK CHOCOLATE CADBURY EGG COOKIES

Print

Yield: Approximately 3 dozen

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter flavored shortening, room temperature
• 1-1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup malted milk powder
• 1 egg, room temperature
• 2 Tbsp chocolate syrup
• 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 cups chopped dark chocolate Cadbury mini eggs

Directions

1. In a large bowl, blend together the shortening and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
2. Add malted milk powder, egg, chocolate syrup, and vanilla, blending until combined.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this to the creamed mixture, mixing well after each addition. Stir in chopped chocolate eggs by hand.
4. Shape into 2 inch balls and refrigerate for 30 minutes (or overnight).
5. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until edges become to brown. Middle should be slightly underdone and still puffy when you remove them from the oven.
6. Allow to cool on cookie sheet for 10 minutes before moving to a wire rack to cool completely.

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These mini carrot ginger rhubarb bread loaves may be small, but they are definitely not lacking in flavor. They are a great treat any time of day.

This post is sponsored in conjunction with #SpringSweetsWeek. I received product samples from sponsor companies to help in the creation of the #SpringSweetsWeek recipes. All opinions are mine alone.

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Day three of #SpringSweetsWeek and I am finally showing off these perfectly portioned  mini loaves of carrot ginger rhubarb bread. Sure you could bake these in 6 separate mini loaf pans, but Circulon gifted me with their 6-cavity mini loaf pan which made them even easier to bake.

For this recipe, I actually halved my favorite carrot cake recipe and substituted rhubarb for walnuts. Add a little ginger along with other spices into the mix, as well as a lemon cream cheese icing, and you have the tastiest little loaves. 

Don’t have a 6-cavity mini loaf pan or individual mini loaf pans? You could also make these in a muffin pan, but the cook time will vary. I suggest starting with 15 minutes as I have not tested it out myself. 

These little guys were the perfect size to gift to friends and neighbors. And the ones I kept for myself were perfect mid-afternoon snacks, but would could also be a sweet breakfast treat or even dessert – especially if you are more generous with the icing on top.

In addition to the Circulon pan, this recipe also incorporated carrots and rhubarb from Melissa’s Produce, Dixie Crystals sugar, and lemon extract paste from Taylor and Colledge. 

For a chance to win prizes from these sponsors are more, make sure you enter the giveaway using the widget located at the end of this post. And also check out the other great recipes shared today listed below!

Wednesday #SpringSweetsWeek Recipes

• Blended Mocha Frappe by Cheese Curd In Paradise
• Chocolate Matzo Tiramisu by Kate’s Recipe Box
• Citrus & Mint Fruit Salad by Books n’ Cooks
• Coffee Jelly Roll by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Cream Cheese Cupcakes by Pook’s Pantry
• Easter Dessert Board by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Frozen Pineapple Margaritas by Family Around the Table
• Kumquat Upside Down Cake by Jen Around the World
• Lemon Cake by House of Nash Eats
• Lemon and Lavender Cream Pie by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Lemon Cooler Cookies by Blogghetti
• Lavender Lemon Cheesecake Bars by Eat Move Make
• Lemon Poppyseed Bread by The Carefree Kitchen
• Lemon Shortbread with Sprinkles by Shockingly Delicious
• Mini Carrot Ginger Rhubarb Bread Loaves by The Spiffy Cookie
• Mini Key Lime Pies by Palatable Pastime
• No Churn Lavender Ice Cream by Art of Natural Living
• Raspberry Almond Coffee Snack Cake by Sweet Beginnings

We share recipes from #SpringSweetsWeek on Pinterest! Make sure you follow the board to see all the delicious recipes shared this week.

Six years ago: Mexican Pizza

Seven years ago: Cheesy Vegetable Enchiladas

Ten years ago: Blueberry Cookies

MINI CARROT GINGER RHUBARB BREAD LOAVES

Print

Yield: 6 loaves Prep Time: 10 Minutes Cooking Time: 35 MInutes 35 MInutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

CAKE

• 2 eggs, room temperature
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tsp lemon extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup grated carrots
• 1 cup chopped rhubarb

FROSTING

• 1 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
• 2 Tbsp heavy cream
• 2 Tbsp powdered sugar
• 1/4 tsp lemon extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 6 cavity mini loaf pan*, set aside.
2. In a large bowl, beat together eggs, oil, sugars, and extract. Mix in flour, baking soda, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until incorporated. Fold in carrots and rhubarb. Divide evenly into prepared pan.
3. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.
4. While the cake cools, make the frosting. In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese, cream, sugar, and lemon vanilla extract until fluffy. Drizzle over cooled cakes.

Notes

* Can also use individual mini loaf pans. A muffin could also work but reduce the baking time.

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Thank you #SpringSweetsWeek Sponsors: Dixie Crystals, Door County Coffee & Tea Co., Circulon, Melissa’s Produce, Taylor and Colledge, and Nairn’s for providing the prizes free of charge. These companies also provided the bloggers with samples and product to use for #SpringSweetsWeek recipes. All opinions are my own. The #SpringSweetsWeek giveaway is open to residents of the United States who are 18 years of age or older. All entries for the winner will be checked and verified. By entering you give the right to use your name and likeness. The number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Six (6) winners will be selected. The prize packages will be sent directly from the giveaway sponsors. The #SpringSweetsWeek Bloggers are not responsible for the fulfillment or delivery of the prize packages. Bloggers hosting this giveaway and their immediate family members in their household cannot enter or win the giveaway. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or any other social channel mentioned in the #SpringSweetsWeek posts or entry.