Hello, Good News! If you are a fan of carrot cake, you are in for a treat. In this article, we will show you how to make one of the most delicious and decadent carrot cakes ever: Truluck’s famous carrot cake. This cake is rich and moist, with a brown sugar flavor and a cheesecake swirl. It is topped with a creamy cream cheese frosting, candied pecans, and caramel sauce. It is truly a dessert lover’s dream.
Truluck’s is a seafood restaurant chain that operates in several states in the US. They are known for their fresh and sustainable seafood dishes, as well as their amazing desserts. One of their signature desserts is their carrot cake, which has been praised by many customers and critics alike. It is so popular that they even sell it online and ship it nationwide. But if you want to save some money and have some fun in the kitchen, you can try to make it yourself with our easy and detailed recipe.
What You Need to Make Truluck’s Carrot Cake
Ingredients
To make this carrot cake, you will need the following ingredients:
- For the cake batter:
- 2 cups of cake flour
- 2 teaspoons of baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons of baking soda
- 1 ½ teaspoons of salt
- 2 teaspoons of cinnamon
- 2 cups of sugar
- 1 ½ cups of melted coconut oil (or other cooking oil)
- 4 eggs
- 2 cups of chopped raw carrots
- 1 (8 ½ oz.) can of crushed pineapple, drained
- ½ cup of chopped pecans
- 1 (3 ½ oz) can of flaked coconut
- For the cheesecake batter:
- 2 (8 oz.) packages of cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
- For the cream cheese frosting:
- 1 stick of butter, softened
- 2 (8 oz.) packages of cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract (or lemon extract)
- 2 boxes of confectioner’s sugar
- For the candied pecans:
- ½ cup of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- Dash of cayenne pepper
- 1 egg white, beaten just until frothy
- 1 tablespoon of water
- 2 cups of pecan pieces
- For the caramel sauce:
- 1 cup of brown sugar
- ½ cup of heavy cream
- 4 tablespoons of butter
- A pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
Equipment
To make this carrot cake, you will need the following equipment:
- A 9×13 inch baking pan
- A large mixing bowl
- A medium mixing bowl
- A small mixing bowl
- A hand mixer or a stand mixer
- A spatula
- A knife
- A cutting board
- A grater
- A saucepan
- A baking sheet
- Parchment paper or cooking spray
- A wire rack
- A piping bag and a star tip (optional)
How to Make Truluck’s Carrot Cake Step by Step
Step 1: Preheat the oven and prepare the baking pan
Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with cooking spray or butter. You can also line the pan with parchment paper for easy removal of the cake later.
Step 2: Make the cake batter
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.
In another medium mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar and oil until well combined. Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat well after each addition. Stir in the carrots, pineapple, pecans, and coconut.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix well with a spatula or a wooden spoon until no flour pockets remain. The batter will be thick and chunky.
Step 3: Make the cheesecake batter
In a small mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese with a hand mixer or a stand mixer until smooth and creamy. Add the sugar and vanilla and beat until well combined. Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat well after each addition. The cheesecake batter should be smooth and fluffy.
Step 4: Assemble and bake the cake
Pour half of the cake batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly with a spatula. Drop spoonfuls of the cheesecake batter over the cake batter, leaving some gaps in between. Pour the remaining cake batter over the cheesecake batter and spread it gently to cover it. Swirl the batters together with a knife to create a marbled effect.
Bake the cake for 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
Step 5: Make the cream cheese frosting
In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter with a hand mixer or a stand mixer until light and fluffy. Add the cream cheese and vanilla (or lemon) and beat until well combined. Gradually add the confectioner’s sugar and beat until smooth and creamy. The frosting should be thick and spreadable.
Step 6: Make the candied pecans
In a small bowl, whisk together the sugar, cinnamon, salt, and cayenne pepper. Set aside.
In another small bowl, whisk together the egg white and water until frothy. Add the pecan pieces and toss to coat them well.
Sprinkle the sugar mixture over the pecans and toss to coat them evenly.
Spread the pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or sprayed with cooking spray.
Bake them in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden and crisp, stirring once halfway through.
Let them cool completely on the baking sheet before breaking them into clusters.
Step 7: Make the caramel sauce
In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the brown sugar, heavy cream, butter, and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and smooth. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Let the sauce cool slightly before using or storing.
Step 8: Frost and decorate the cake
Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled cake with a spatula or a knife. You can also pipe some swirls or rosettes on the edges or corners of the cake with a piping bag and a star tip if you like.
Sprinkle the candied pecans over the frosting as desired. You can also drizzle some caramel sauce over the cake or serve it on the side.
Cut into slices and enjoy your homemade Truluck’s carrot cake!
A Table Breakdown of Truluck’s Carrot Cake
If you are curious about how Truluck’s carrot cake compares to other carrot cakes in terms of nutrition, ingredients, and taste, here is a table breakdown for you:
| Aspect | Truluck’s Carrot Cake | Other Carrot Cakes |
| — | — | — |
| Calories | About 800 per slice | About 500 to 700 per slice |
| Fat | About 50 grams per slice | About 30 to 40 grams per slice |
| Sugar | About 80 grams per slice | About 60 to 70 grams per slice |
| Carrots | Chopped raw carrots | Grated raw or cooked carrots |
| Pineapple | Crushed pineapple | None or pineapple juice |
| Coconut | Flaked coconut | None or shredded coconut |
| Pecans | Chopped pecans in the batter and candied pecans on top | None or chopped walnuts |
| Cheesecake | Cheesecake swirl in the batter | None or cream cheese filling |
| Frosting | Cream cheese frosting with vanilla or lemon flavor | Cream cheese frosting with vanilla flavor |
| Caramel | Caramel sauce on top or on the side | None or caramel drizzle |
| Taste | Rich, moist, sweet, tangy, nutty, and decadent | Moist, sweet, spicy, nutty, and creamy |
FAQs About Truluck’s Carrot Cake
How long does Truluck’s carrot cake last?
Truluck’s carrot cake can last for up to 3 days in the refrigerator or up to 2 months in the freezer. To store it in the refrigerator, wrap it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and keep it in an airtight container. To store it in the freezer, wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil and place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. To thaw it, let it sit at room temperature for about an hour before serving.
Can I make Truluck’s carrot cake gluten-free?
Yes, you can make Truluck’s carrot cake gluten-free by substituting the cake flour with a gluten-free flour blend that has xanthan gum or guar gum added to it. You can also use almond flour or oat flour instead of cake flour, but you may need to adjust the amount of liquid and leavening agents accordingly. You can also use gluten-free graham crackers instead of flaked coconut if you prefer.
Can I make Truluck’s carrot cake vegan?
Yes, you can make Truluck’s carrot cake vegan by substituting the eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons of water per egg) or applesauce (1/4 cup per egg). You can also use vegan butter and cream cheese instead of regular butter and cream cheese. You can also use maple syrup or agave nectar instead of sugar and coconut cream instead of heavy cream.
Can I make Truluck’s carrot cake dairy-free?
Yes, you can make Truluck’s carrot cake dairy-free by using coconut oil instead of butter and coconut milk instead of heavy cream. You can also use dairy-free cream cheese instead of regular cream cheese. You can also use almond milk or soy milk instead of water for the egg white mixture for the candied pecans.
Can I make Truluck’s carrot cake sugar-free?
Yes, you can make Truluck’s carrot cake sugar-free by using erythritol, stevia, monk fruit, or another natural sweetener instead of sugar. You can also use sugar-free caramel sauce instead of regular caramel sauce. You can also omit the pineapple and coconut if you want to reduce the natural sugars in the cake.
Can I make Truluck’s carrot cake keto-friendly?
Yes, you can make Truluck’s carrot cake keto-friendly by using almond flour or coconut flour instead of cake flour and using a low-carb sweetener instead of sugar. You can also use full-fat cream cheese instead of low-fat cream cheese and heavy cream instead of water for the cheesecake batter. You can also omit the pineapple, coconut, and pecans if you want to lower the carbs in the cake.
Can I make Truluck’s carrot cake nut-free?
Yes, you can make Truluck’s carrot cake nut-free by omitting the pecans and using sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds instead. You can also use sunflower seed butter or pumpkin seed butter instead of butter and sunflower seed milk or pumpkin seed milk instead of heavy cream. You can also use oat flour or rice flour instead of almond flour or coconut flour if you are using a gluten-free flour substitute.
Can I make Truluck’s carrot cake without pineapple?
Yes, you can make Truluck’s carrot cake without pineapple by simply omitting it from the recipe. You can also use apple sauce, mashed banana, or yogurt instead of pineapple to add some moisture and sweetness to the cake.
Can I make Truluck’s carrot cake without coconut?
Yes, you can make Truluck’s carrot cake without coconut by simply omitting it from the recipe. You can also use shredded zucchini, shredded apple, or shredded parsnip instead of coconut to add some texture and flavor to the cake.
Can I make Truluck’s carrot cake without cream cheese?
Yes, you can make Truluck’s carrot cake without cream cheese by simply omitting it from the recipe. You can also use sour cream, mascarpone cheese, or ricotta cheese instead of cream cheese to make the cheesecake batter and the frosting. You can also use whipped cream, buttercream, or ganache instead of cream cheese frosting to top the cake.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed this article on how to make Truluck’s famous carrot cake at home. This is a delicious and decadent dessert that will impress your family and friends. It is also a great way to use up some carrots and enjoy their health benefits. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, vitamin A, fiber, and antioxidants that can boost your immune system, vision, skin, and digestion.
If you liked this article, please check out our other articles on how to make other amazing desserts at home. We have recipes for cheesecakes, brownies, pies, cookies, cupcakes, and more. You can also subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest updates on our blog posts and special offers. Thank you for reading and happy baking!