This Pineapple Carrot Coconut Cake is deliciously moist.  Cake layers loaded with fresh pineapple, carrot and coconut are sandwiched between cream cheese frosting. Now if you need an indication of how good this cake is, my husband LOVED it and he hates carrots, pineapple and coconut. 

I was in the mood for cake.

It has been far too long since I posted a “sweet” recipe, and I couldn’t go another day without… cake.

I’m not sure where I got this recipe from, it was one of those in a stack of a million I have printed off of the internet, but it was begging to be made so I had no problem obliging.

Now I know typically right now I should be making a pumpkin or pecan pie… But I won’t be making those until Thanksgiving… I can’t post something I’m not ready to eat… ya know?!

So since it has been in the 60’s this week and in celebration of the warm weather I give to you … Carrot Coconut Cake… totally to die for! There is a hidden ingredient that is in this cake that maybe should be in the title, but for some reason was left out. That ingredient would be pineapple. The original recipe called for a can of crushed pineapple… and if you follow this blog regularly you know I’m just not a fan of canned pineapple… nothing beats the real thing and to me super fresh pineapple is the way to go… so I made my own!

This was a fun ingredient set up. The colors really pop!

Get your ingredients ready and preheat your oven to 350 degrees!

First things first, get your pans ready. I dread this part the most, because I don’t use spray you really need to make sure you don’t miss a spot! I also trace and cut out wax paper to fit the bottom of the pans so the bottom of the cake won’t stick. But I still butter the whole cake pan! Click HERE to learn how!

Can you smell it?

This is when having a mini food processor comes in handy! Add the pineapple and puree until it measures 1 cup, adding more if needed.

Once the pineapples are crushed set it aside.

In a medium bowl add the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Whisk and set aside.

In a large bowl add the softened butter.

Add the sugar to the butter and mix on medium speed.

Stop when the butter is light and fluffy.

Next you want to incorporate three eggs.

I crack my eggs in a separate bowl so I can add them gradually, and to pick out any shells… not that I ever have to do that… I am perfect… RIIIIGHT!!

Like I said you want to add one egg at a time and mix thoroughly after each additional egg.

Look how purty!! The farm fresh eggs made this batter a bright yellow!

Now you want to alternate adding the flour mixture and milk. Start with some flour and mix…

Then add a couple of tablespoons of whole milk and mix… then repeat until all the flour and milk are used.

You should probably scrape down the sides of the bowl in between each step!

Now add all the grated carrot. I used a box grater to grate mine… you’d think I’d have learned from my zucchini bread post, but noooo… Not only did it take me forever to grate two cups of carrots but there was carrot shrapnel on the floor, counter and me… ugh. Save yourself the misery and bust out a food processor, unless you don’t have one, then GOOD LUCK and happy grating!!

Good thing Seamus the floor cleaner is nearby to get the falling pieces! Look he got something!! His whiskers are crumbed!!

When we got him as a puppy, the breeders called him Sad Eyes… yeah… well he uses those on me all the time to get treats… and they work… to well!

After adding the carrot… mix.

Now you can add the fresh crushed pineapple… mmmmm smells sooo gooooood!

Mix as well until incorporated.

Measure a heaping cup of flaked coconut.

Then add it to the batter.

Mix just until combined. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl to insure all ingredients are mixed well.

Divide evenly into the two greased 9 inch cake pans. Tap on the counter to settle the batter. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until a tester comes out clean. In my oven it only took 35 minutes. But we all have different ovens… so watch it carefully.

Let the cakes cool for 10-15 minutes in the pan before trying to remove them from the pan. Set your timer and go check your facebook, wash some dishes or do another load of laundry!

Run a knife along the edges of the cake to loosen.

Once the cakes are removed from the pan, let them cool completely before frosting.

Oh-my-goodness… I really wish you could smell this!

All right… the time has come to frost. I have already made the Classic Cream Cheese Frosting. So now I just cut some small strips of wax paper and placed them on the cake stand. The reason I do this is so that when I frost I don’t get frosting all over the cake plate. I’ll remove the strips before slicing and serving the cake.

Place one of the cake layers upside down and remove the wax paper liner.

Next dollop with a good amount of the cream cheese frosting onto the top {or bottom} of the cake.

Spread evenly leaving an “over hang” of frosting.

Carefully place the next layer {upside down} on top of the frosting.

Place the remaining cream cheese frosting on top of the second layer and spread evenly on the top and the sides of the cake.

Remove the wax paper strips and ta-dah! Now pat yourself on the back!

This cake is super moist. Now if you need an indication of how good this cake is… I’ll tell ya! My husband hates carrots, pineapple and coconut. But he loved this cake! He even made sure that I put that in this post!!

The flavors meld so well they become one in a sense. I love this cake and you will too! Just think it has all the food groups in it… so its GOTTA be healthy! 😉

*Also, when you have a cake with cream cheese frosting… make sure you store it in the refrigerator!

Enjoy! And if you give this Pineapple Carrot Coconut Cake recipe a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!

My cookbook Simply Scratch : 120 Wholesome Homemade Recipes Made Easy is now available! CLICK HERE for details and THANK YOU in advance!

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Yield: 1 two-layer cake

Pineapple Carrot Coconut Cake

This Pineapple Carrot Coconut Cake is deliciously moist.  Cake layers loaded with fresh pineapple, carrot and coconut are sandwiched between cream cheese frosting. Now if you need an indication of how good this cake is, my husband LOVED it and he hates carrots, pineapple and coconut. 

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes

Total Time 1 hour

Ingredients

• 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 2-1/2 teaspoons of baking powder
• 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 2 cups grated carrots
• 1 cup flaked coconut
• 1 cup fresh pineapple, crushed
• 1 recipe for cream cheese frosting

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and butter and line two 9 inch cake pans with wax or parchment paper.
2. Mix flour, baking powder, cinnamon and nutmeg until well blended; set aside.
3. Add a cup of fresh pineapple to a mini food processor with any juices and puree until it measures 1 cup, adding more if needed. Pineapple should be slightly chunky and resemble "canned" crushed pineapple. Set aside.
4. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing until well blended. Add flour mixture alternately with milk, beating until well blended after each addition. Add carrots, coconut, and pineapple {walnuts too if you're using them}; mix well. Pour evenly into 2 greased 9-inch round cake pans.
5. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely on wire racks. Place 1 of the cake layers on serving plate upside down, remove wax paper and spread with Cream Cheese Frosting. Cover with remaining cake layer {upside down} remove wax paper again and spread top and side of cake with remaining frosting. Cut a huge piece for yourself and enjoy!
6. Like any cream cheese frosted goodie, make sure you store this cake in refrigerator.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 383 Total Fat: 7g Saturated Fat: 4g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 2g Cholesterol: 73mg Sodium: 240mg Carbohydrates: 75g Fiber: 3g Sugar: 47g Protein: 7g

Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.