Carrot Cake Cookies

I love carrot cake & I've been thinking about carrot cake cookies for a while. I was thinking of a carrot cake twist on an oatmeal cookie, which I still plan on trying. Then a friend told me about a cookie recipe using a roll of refrigerated sugar cookie dough, so I decided to give it a try. I made a few changes to the initial recipe & the cookies turned out really well; moist & cakey. They would be even more special with a light cream cheese frosting.

Carrot Cake Cookies
1 roll refrigerated sugar cookie dough
1 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
2 cups peeled, shredded carrots
2 cups shredded coconut
1 teaspoon black walnut extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350. Spray cookie sheets with non-stick cooking spray. Break up cookie dough in mixing bowl. Let stand 10-15 minutes. Add cream cheese. Mix well with an electric mixer on medium speed until well combined. Add carrots, coconut, extract, cinnamon & walnuts. Drop teaspoon full onto prepared cookie sheets, two inches apart. Bake 10-13 minutes until just set or golden at edges. Cookies will be pale.