Description
Hawaiian carrot pineapple cake blends tropical flavors with classic comfort. Spiced layers combine zesty pineapple, sweet carrots, and cream cheese frosting for a delightful dessert you won’t forget.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 large eggs
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 cups (200 g) grated carrots
- 1 cup (240 g) crushed pineapple, drained
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
- ½ cup (120 ml) applesauce
- ½ cup (50 g) shredded sweetened coconut
- ½ cup (60 g) chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- 1 pack (225 g / 8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups (360 g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ tsps baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp salt
- 12 tbsps milk (optional, for consistency)
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Calibrate oven to 350F (175C) and prepare baking vessel by lightly greasing and flour-dusting a 9×13-inch pan or two 8-inch round cake molds.
- Dry Ingredient Composition: Amalgamate flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a medium bowl, setting aside for future integration.
- Wet Foundation Creation: Vigorously whisk vegetable oil, applesauce, white and brown sugars until thoroughly emulsified, creating a smooth base.
- Liquid Ingredient Incorporation: Introduce eggs one at a time, blending comprehensively after each addition, then infuse vanilla extract for aromatic depth.
- Batter Assembly: Delicately fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, maintaining a tender crumb structure, then gently integrate carrots, pineapple, coconut, and optional nuts.
- Baking Process: Transfer batter to prepared pan, ensuring even distribution, and bake until a testing probe emerges pristine – approximately 40-45 minutes for rectangular pan or 30-35 minutes for round pans.
- Cooling and Resting: Allow cake to settle in baking vessel for 10 minutes, then transfer to cooling rack to reach ambient temperature.
- Frosting Preparation: Whip cream cheese and butter until silky, gradually introducing powdered sugar and vanilla extract, adjusting consistency with minimal milk if required.
- Final Presentation: Generously spread cream cheese frosting across completely cooled cake, garnishing with additional coconut shreds or chopped nuts for textural contrast and visual appeal.
Notes
- Measure Ingredients Precisely: Use exact measurements to ensure the right balance of moisture and texture in the cake.
- Control Mixing Technique: Blend wet and dry ingredients minimally to prevent tough, dense cake texture – just mix until ingredients are combined.
- Drain Pineapple Thoroughly: Remove excess moisture from crushed pineapple to prevent a soggy cake bottom and maintain ideal consistency.
- Temperature Matters: Let eggs and cream cheese reach room temperature before mixing to create smoother, more evenly incorporated batter and frosting.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg