Here’s a tropical twist on a classic favorite: Hawaiian Carrot Pineapple Cake. Moist, warmly spiced, and bursting with the natural sweetness of carrots, pineapple, and coconut — this cake is perfect for potlucks, Easter, or any time you want a sunshine-sweet dessert!
🍰 Hawaiian Carrot Pineapple Cake
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg (optional)
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil)
- 4 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups grated carrots (about 3–4 medium)
- 1 cup crushed pineapple (with juice, not drained)
- ½ cup shredded sweetened coconut
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- ½ cup raisins (optional)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 2½ to 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 1–2 tbsp pineapple juice or milk (to thin, if needed)
🧁 Instructions:
1. Prep and Preheat:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and flour a 9×13-inch pan or two 9-inch round pans.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, beat together sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla until well combined.
4. Combine:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet.
- Stir in grated carrots, pineapple with juice, coconut, nuts, and raisins (if using). Mix until just combined — don’t overmix.
5. Bake:
- Pour batter into prepared pan(s) and smooth the top.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes (longer for 9×13, shorter for rounds), or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
6. Make the Frosting:
- Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, then vanilla and salt.
- Beat until fluffy. Thin with a bit of pineapple juice or milk if needed.
7. Frost & Decorate:
- Spread frosting over cooled cake.
- Optional: Top with extra shredded coconut, crushed pineapple, or chopped nuts.
🍍 Tips:
- For a layer cake: Double the frosting to cover and fill between layers.
- For cupcakes: Bake for 18–22 minutes. Makes about 24.