Hawaiian Pineapple Carrot Cake
Yield: 12–16 servings
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
Cool Time: 1 hour (for frosting)
Ingredients
For the Cake:
1½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground nutmeg
¼ tsp salt
3 large eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
1½ cups finely grated carrots (about 3 medium carrots)
1 cup crushed pineapple, drained
½ cup sweetened shredded coconut
½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
2–3 tbsp heavy cream or milk (as needed)
Instructions
1. Make the Cake:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or one 9x13-inch rectangular pan.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
In a large bowl, beat the eggs, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
Add oil and vanilla extract, mixing well.
Gradually fold in the grated carrots, crushed pineapple, coconut, and chopped nuts (if using).
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until just combined.
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans (or pour all into one rectangular pan).
Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
2. Make the Cream Cheese Frosting:
Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy (about 2 minutes).
Gradually add powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, mixing well between additions.
Stir in vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.
Add heavy cream or milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the frosting reaches a smooth and spreadable consistency.
3. Assemble the Cake:
If you've made a two-layer cake, spread a layer of cream cheese frosting between the two cooled cake layers. Then, frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting.
If using a single-layer pan, frost the top and sides of the entire cake with cream cheese frosting.
Optional: Garnish with additional shredded coconut, chopped walnuts, or even pineapple slices for extra tropical flair.
🍍 Tips & Variations:
For added texture, you can fold in a cup of raisins or dried cranberries into the batter.
Use fresh pineapple for an extra tropical flavor, or for convenience, use canned pineapple that’s drained well.
Add spices: You can adjust the amount of cinnamon and nutmeg to your liking, or add a pinch of ginger for an extra kick.
For a nut-free version, simply omit the walnuts or pecans from the cake.