National Carrot Cake Day took place earlier this month and, though I missed writing about it on its special day, that does not deter me from sharing some carrot cake news and a recipe with you today.
I was reminded of just how much I LOVE carrot cake while visiting Naples last week. I had THE BEST carrot cake of my life at Truluck’s Restaurant.
I learned they are famous for their carrot cake. “How has this been kept from me?!”, I wondered.
I was raving about it to my son in Dallas who said, “Oh yeah, they are now right down the street from me.” WHAAAAT?!?! Why have I not been shown this before now?!
So, now I have two major reasons to visit Dallas: my son and Truluck’s Carrot Cake. Sure the steak, seafood and all the sides are fantastic, but I would be perfectly happy just sitting in this luxurious restaurant eating only their carrot cake.
This cake is rich and mega-moist with slightly spiced cake layers slathered in smooth, silky cream cheese frosting topped with candied pecans and a luscious caramel sauce is drizzled over the top. It. Is. So. Good.
Bad news: they keep the recipe a secret. Understandable.
Good news: I can come close to creating it. I have a great carrot cake recipe to share with you along with a delicious cream cheese frosting, candied pecans and caramel sauce. I would take Truluck’s version every time, but since that isn’t readily available to me, I’m happy with my version. It’s quire luscious. Hope you like it, too!
Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
Cake Layers:
– 2 cups cake flour
– 2 tsp. baking powder
– 1 ½ tsp. soda
– 1 ½ tsp. salt
– 2 tsp. cinnamon
– 2 cups sugar
– 1 ½ cups melted coconut (or other) cooking oil
– 4 eggs
– 2 cups chopped raw carrots
– 1 (8 ½ oz.) crushed pineapple, drained
– ½ cup chopped pecans
– 1 (3 ½ oz) can flaked coconut
Cream Cheese Frosting:
– 1 stick butter, softened
– 2 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
– 1 tsp. vanilla (or lemon) extract
– 2 boxes confectioner’s sugar
Directions
Sift together the cake flour, baking powder, soda, salt and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl. Add sugar, oil, and eggs. Mix well. Stir in carrots, pineapple, nuts and coconut. Blend well.
Pour into three 8” or 9” greased and floured cake pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes or until done. Cool and frost.
For the frosting, cream together the butter, cream cheese and extract. Sift in the sugar a little at a time and beat until smooth.
To serve, sprinkle with Candied Pecans and drizzle with Caramel Sauce (recipes below).
Candied Pecans Recipe
Ingredients
– ½ cup sugar
– 1 tsp. cinnamon
– 1 tsp. salt
– Dash of cayenne pepper
– 1 egg white, beaten just until frothy
– 1 Tbls. water
– 2 cups pecan pieces
Directions
Mix the sugar, cinnamon, salt and cayenne in a small bowl and set aside.
Whisk frothy egg white and water in a separate bowl. Toss pecans in egg white mixture until coated. Add the sugar mixture until pecans are evenly coated. Spread pecans onto baking sheet. Bake at 250 degrees (very low temperature), stirring every 15 minutes for one hour or until evenly browned.
Tip: When not being use on a cake, they are great in a salad!
Caramel Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
– 2 egg yolks
– 1 cup heavy cream
– 1 pound light brown sugar
– 1 Tbls. butter
– 1 tsp vanilla
– 1/8 tsp. salt
Directions
Mix egg yolks, cream and sugar in a heavy saucepan over low heat. Add butter, remove from heat and cool slightly. Add vanilla and salt.
Tell Me: Who makes your favorite carrot cake?
That looks delicious ❤️ Love your blog!
Thank you so much, Gail! I love that you visit!!
Loved sharing this Carrot Cake with you in Naples!
Is the 3 1/2 oz can coconut, milk or shredded?
I made this recipe, and it was scrumptious. I don’t eat a lot of sugar or refined carbs, so I used powdered monkfruit sweetener in the frosting and granulated monkfruit sweetener in the cake (which has no glycemic impact) and swapped out 1 cup of the cake flour with 1 1/2 cups of almond flour. My family RAVED about it. I used three 9 inch cake pans, and the layered look of the cake was beautiful when served. The amount of frosting was just perfect too – not too little; not too much. Thank you for sharing your wonderful recipe!
Fantastic, Kelley. You have inspired me!! Thank you for sharing! Please forgive my delay in replying. I just finished breast cancer treatment and feel to blessed to say I am healed! Praise God! Enjoy your summer!
Barbara, I have never like carrot cake until I tried the carrot cake from Truluck’s . I felt in love and I craved that taste. I was trying to look in the Kopy Kat site and it led me to your page. I am going to try to make it for Mothers Day .
Thank you,
Victoria
Good Morning Victoria! Your message is so meaningful to me! thank you! Please forgive my delay in replying. I just finished breast cancer treatment and feel to blessed to say I am healed! Praise God! I think I should celebrate with this carrot cake! Enjoy your summer. Many thanks again!
I do not see where to add the carrots. I am guessing it is when you add the coconut and crushed pineapple.
I am not clear about the can of coconut….is this coconut milk or shredded coconut? I am anxious to make this since Truluck’s carrot cake is my all time favorite!
It’s flaked…so sorry for the confusion! Enjoy!
Hi, is the canned coconut flakes or milk? Thanks!
Hi Kelly,
The coconut is flaked. Good question. Stay safe and healthy!
Hi I want to try this recipe the soda is it baking soda or actually soda as in Coca Cola? It’s most likely baking soda. I know I probably sound crazy lol but just wanted to be sure.
It is always a good idea to ask!! I like that! It is baking soda! Enjoy! I wish I could have a piece right now!
Hello! I used to work at Truluck’s ages ago and LOVE LOVE LOVE the carrot cake! Unfortunately, I don’t live near a Truluck’s anymore. I’m going to try this recipe this weekend and am sooooo looking forward to it! Thanks so much!
Loved your wonderful message! I like communicating with someone who worked there!! It is my favorite cake!! enjoy! so nice to hear from you! Happy
Easter!
Hi! When I lived in Naples, I always stopped into Truluck’s for the carrot cake! It’s seriously the best! I’m going to try your recipe this weekend, but I can you confirm how much confectioner’s sugar to use in the cream cheese frosting? My confectioner’s sugar is bagged, not in boxes!
Hi Ashley! Start with 6 cups and add more as needed (up to 8 cups) to make it of spreading consistency! I will be visiting Naples later this month and I must go to Trulucks for cake. NOBODY makes it like they do. Happy Easter!