Carrot cake cookies.

- Liam Charles' carrot cake cookies - YOU Magazine from Cheeky Treats by Liam Charles.
MAKES 15
For the filling
150g full-fat cream cheese
150g icing sugar (3 tbsp for filling +rest for decor)
1 tsp vanilla extract

For the dough
350g plain flour
½ tsp baking
powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp mixed spice
1 tsp ground cloves
150g unsalted butter, softened at RT
100g soft light brown sugar
50g soft dark brown sugar
1 large egg
200g carrot, finely grated

For the decor
juice of 1 orange and zest of 2 oranges
4 tbsp walnuts, finely chopped

Filling & dough you need 3 bowl!
1 bowl - Mix the cream cheese, 3 tablespoons of the icing sugar and the vanilla in a large bowl until combined, then pop in the freezer for 30-45 minutes.

2 bowl - Meanwhile, measure your flour, baking powder and spices in another bowl.

3 bowl - Beat your butter and both sugars together in a third bowl until creamy.
Beat your egg into the butter mixture, then tip in your grated carrot.
Mix together well.

Tip your dry ingredients into the carrot mixture and mix slowly to form a dough.

To roll & fill
Line a baking tray with baking paper.
Flour your hands!
Weigh the dough and divide into 15 equal balls = 59-60g.
Then flatten them slightly into thin discs using the palm of your hand.
Add a generous teaspoon of the cream cheese filling to the centre of each disc and wrap the dough around the filling to seal.
Pinch the top and roll it back into a ball, making sure no filling leaks out.
Pop the balls on to the tray and flatten slightly.
Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6.

Bake the cookies for 20 minutes until golden brown.
Remove from the oven and leave on the tray for a few minutes to firm up, then transfer to a wire rack to cool further.

Do the decor
Sift the remaining icing sugar into a small bowl and mix with the orange juice – you’re aiming for a drizzling consistency. Flick the icing over the cookies and top with zest and walnuts.

These are best eaten the day they’re made.
They’ll keep for up to 2 days in an airtight container.
Pop them in the fridge, though – there’s dairy in the middle.