Luby's Carrot Cake Recipe

Discover the timeless Luby's Carrot Cake Recipe - a classic dessert with a twist! Create sweet memories in your kitchen today. 🥕🍰

Luby's Carrot Cake

• Publisher: Crisp Recipe
• Cuisine: American
• Category: Dessert
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 2 layer 9-inch round cake
• Calories: 350 calories

Luby's Cafeteria, a well-known American cafeteria-style restaurant chain, was once famous for its classic comfort food offerings, including its delicious carrot cake. Luby's carrot cake was a beloved dessert item on its menu, cherished by many customers for its homestyle flavor and moist, spiced cake layers.

This iconic dessert featured a dense and moist carrot cake made with freshly grated carrots, which imparted both sweetness and a natural earthy flavor to the cake. The cake was typically spiced with cinnamon and sometimes nutmeg, giving it a warm, comforting taste.

Many versions of the cake also included crushed pineapple and chopped nuts, such as walnuts or pecans, for added texture and flavor.

The cream cheese frosting was the crowning glory of Luby's carrot cake. Creamy, tangy, and sweet, it perfectly complemented the slightly spicy and moist cake layers. The frosting was generously spread over the top and sides of the cake, often garnished with additional nuts or shredded carrots for an appealing presentation.

Luby's carrot cake was not only a dessert but also a cherished memory for those who frequented the chain's cafeterias.

Recipe

Indulge in the ultimate homemade carrot cake recipe! Moist, spiced perfection awaits – your taste buds won't believe the magic! 🥕🍰 #CarrotCakeDelight

Ingredients

For the Cake:
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups grated carrots (about 4 medium carrots)
• 1/2 cup crushed pineapple, drained
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Method Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
3. In another bowl, beat together the vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
5. Fold in the grated carrots, crushed pineapple, and chopped nuts (if using).
6. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
8. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes, then remove them from the pans and let them cool completely on a wire rack.
9. To make the cream cheese frosting, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract and continue to beat until well combined.
10. Once the cakes are completely cool, spread a layer of cream cheese frosting on top of one cake layer, then place the second layer on top and frost the top and sides of the cake.
11. You can optionally decorate the cake with extra chopped nuts or shredded carrots.

Recipe Video

Luby's Carrot Cake

This is a video about Luby's Carrot Cake.

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Recipe Tags: Luby's Carrot Cake, Luby's Carrot Cake Recipe, Recipe

Servings

Serving Luby's-style carrot cake is a delightful experience, and here's how you can do it:

• Presentation: Start by placing a slice of the carrot cake on a clean dessert plate. Ensure that the cake is centered and looks appealing.
• Room Temperature: Ideally, carrot cake is best served at room temperature. If it's been refrigerated, allow it to sit out for about 20-30 minutes before serving. This helps the flavors and textures meld together for a better taste.
• Optional Garnishes: You can add some optional garnishes to enhance the presentation and flavor. Consider a dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. You can also sprinkle a pinch of ground cinnamon or a few crushed nuts on top for extra flair.
• Accompaniments: A cup of hot coffee, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a glass of cold milk all make excellent accompaniments to carrot cake. These beverages help balance the sweetness of the cake.
• Enjoy: Invite your guests to savor the cake slowly. Carrot cake is rich and flavorful, so taking time to enjoy each bite allows you to appreciate the blend of spices, sweetness, and the moistness of the cake.

Attention: serving carrot cake is all about making it an enjoyable experience, both visually and taste-wise. Whether you're serving it for a special occasion or as a comforting treat, savoring each bite is the key to appreciating this classic dessert.

Tips

1. Fresh Ingredients: Use fresh and high-quality ingredients, especially for the carrots. Grate the carrots just before adding them to the batter for the best flavor and moisture.
2. Consistency of Grated Carrots: Grate the carrots finely for a smoother texture or coarsely for a more rustic look. Both work well; it depends on your preference.
3. Spices: Adjust the amount of spices to your taste. If you enjoy a more intense spice flavor, you can increase the amounts slightly. Be cautious with nutmeg and cloves, as they can be strong.
4. Nuts: The addition of nuts (walnuts or pecans) is optional. If you or your guests have nut allergies, you can omit them. Chopped raisins or shredded coconut can be delightful alternatives.
5. Pineapple: Make sure to drain the crushed pineapple well to avoid excess moisture in the cake.
6. Cream Cheese Frosting: The cream cheese frosting is a signature element of carrot cake. Ensure that the cream cheese and butter are softened to room temperature for a smoother, lump-free frosting.
7. Cake Pans: Properly grease and flour the cake pans to prevent sticking. You can also use parchment paper rounds at the bottom of the pans for added insurance.
8. Even Layers: When dividing the batter between the cake pans, use a kitchen scale for precision, ensuring that both layers are of equal thickness. This helps with even baking.
9. Cooling: Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before removing them. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Frosting a warm cake can cause the frosting to melt and become messy.
10. Frosting Technique: When frosting the cake, consider doing a "crumb coat" first. This is a thin layer of frosting that seals in any loose crumbs. After applying the crumb coat, chill the cake in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before applying the final layer of frosting for a neater finish.
11. Decorations: Be creative with decorations. You can use additional chopped nuts, shredded carrots, or even edible flowers to make your carrot cake visually appealing.
12. Storage: Store any leftover carrot cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It can stay fresh for several days.

Ingredient Substitutes

For some people finding it hard to aggregate all the necessary ingredients, I have something foe you below as possible substitutions:

1. Egg Replacements: If you need an egg substitute due to allergies or dietary preferences, you can use options like applesauce, mashed bananas, yogurt, or commercial egg replacers. Use 1/4 cup of the chosen substitute per egg required in the recipe.
2. Oil: While vegetable oil is commonly used, you can substitute it with other oils like canola or melted coconut oil. If you prefer a healthier option, you can use unsweetened applesauce or mashed bananas as an oil substitute. Keep in mind that this may alter the flavor slightly.
3. Sugar: If you want to reduce the sugar content, you can use a combination of granulated sugar and a sugar substitute like stevia or erythritol. Be cautious with sugar substitutes, as they can vary in sweetness, so adjust accordingly.
4. Flour: If you're looking for a gluten-free option, you can use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend as a 1:1 substitute for regular flour. Almond flour or coconut flour can also be used, but they may require adjustments to the recipe.
5. Pineapple: If you don't have crushed pineapple, you can use unsweetened applesauce as a replacement. It will add moisture to the cake without altering the flavor significantly.
6. Nuts: If you have nut allergies or prefer to omit nuts, you can leave them out or replace them with an equal amount of shredded coconut, raisins, or chopped dried fruits for added texture.
7. Cream Cheese Frosting: If you're looking for a dairy-free or vegan option, you can use dairy-free cream cheese and vegan butter in place of the regular cream cheese and butter. The rest of the frosting ingredients should remain the same.
8. Spices: Adjust the spice levels to your taste. If you don't have a particular spice on hand, feel free to omit it or use a suitable spice substitute. For example, you can replace nutmeg and cloves with a pinch of allspice.

Remarks

As you embark on your culinary adventure with Luby's Carrot Cake Recipe, remember that every slice carries a taste of nostalgia and homemade goodness. Enjoy baking and savoring the flavors of tradition. Bon appétit!