The Tropical Delight: Hawaiian Carrot Pineapple Cake Recipe

Sweet tropical breezes carry the promise of something delectable with this Hawaiian carrot pineapple cake recipe that blends luscious Caribbean flavors.

Ripe pineapples and freshly grated carrots dance together in a symphony of moisture and sweetness.

Each slice promises a delightful journey through rich, moist textures and vibrant tropical notes.

Cream cheese frosting adds a luxurious layer of creamy indulgence to this island-inspired dessert.

Warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg weave through the cake, creating depth and complexity.

The combination of ingredients transforms a classic carrot cake into an extraordinary tropical treat.

Bakers of all skill levels can recreate this crowd-pleasing dessert that transports you straight to paradise with every single bite.

Tropical Hawaiian Carrot Pineapple Cake

• Craft Delightful Treats: Unleash your inner baker with these simple, scrumptious cookies that require minimal kitchen skills and basic ingredients.
• Personalize Your Baking: Experiment with different chocolate types or fruit variations to make these cookies uniquely yours, perfect for creative home bakers.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Prepare and serve these cookies for family gatherings, potlucks, or unexpected guests, ensuring a sweet surprise that everyone will love.
• Stress-Free Dessert: Enjoy a relaxed baking experience with straightforward steps that guarantee delicious results, even for novice bakers.

Ingredients For Hawaiian Carrot Pineapple Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation that provides structure for the cake.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender texture.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents that help the cake rise and become fluffy.

• Ground Cinnamon, Ground Nutmeg, Ground Ginger: Warm spices that give the cake a rich, aromatic flavor profile.
• Salt: Enhances and balances the overall taste of the cake.

• Vegetable Oil: Ensures the cake remains moist and tender.
• Eggs: Provide structure, richness, and help bind the ingredients together.
• Grated Carrots: Add natural sweetness, moisture, and a subtle vegetable texture.
• Crushed Pineapple: Contributes tropical sweetness and additional moisture to the cake.
• Chopped Walnuts: Optional ingredient that provides a crunchy texture and nutty flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the cake's overall flavor.

• Cream Cheese: Creates a tangy, creamy base for the frosting.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps stabilize the frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a smooth, spreadable consistency.

Stepwise Hawaiian Carrot Pineapple Cake Preparation

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Set your oven to a cozy 350F (175C). Generously coat two 9-inch round cake pans with butter and dust with flour to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create the Dry Base

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg
• Ground ginger

Whisk these ingredients until they’re perfectly combined and look like a soft, fragrant powder.

Step 3: Merge Wet and Dry Ingredients

Pour vegetable oil and crack eggs into the dry mixture.

Stir with enthusiasm until everything looks smooth and well-incorporated.

Step 4: Add Tropical Treasures

• Freshly grated carrots
• Crushed pineapple chunks
• Vanilla extract
• Chopped walnuts (optional but recommended)

Step 5: Fill the Cake Pans

Distribute the batter evenly between the prepared pans, making sure each pan gets an equal share of deliciousness.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pans into the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. The cake is ready when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 7: Cool Down the Cakes

Let the cakes rest in their pans for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 8: Whip Up Creamy Frosting

• Cream cheese
• Butter
• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract

Beat until the mixture is silky smooth and irresistible.

Step 9: Frost and Celebrate

Once the cakes have cooled, generously spread the cream cheese frosting between layers and over the entire cake.

Step 10: Slice and Enjoy

Cut into this tropical paradise and savor every delectable bite of your Hawaiian Carrot Pineapple Cake!

Tips For Moist And Flavorful Carrot Pineapple Cake

• Pat crushed pineapple with paper towels to remove excess moisture and prevent a soggy cake texture.
• Use the smallest grater holes to ensure carrots blend smoothly into the cake batter without chunky pieces.
• Lightly toast walnuts in a dry skillet before adding to enhance their nutty, rich taste and crunchiness.
• Insert a toothpick at an angle and look for moist crumbs, not wet batter, to ensure perfect baking.
• Refrigerate cream cheese frosting for 15-20 minutes to achieve a firmer, easier-to-spread consistency.

Delicious Variations For Hawaiian Carrot Pineapple Cake

• Gluten-Free Hawaiian Carrot Cake: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version that maintains the cake's moist texture.
• Vegan Tropical Carrot Cake: Substitute eggs with mashed banana or applesauce, use coconut oil instead of vegetable oil, and create a dairy-free frosting using cashew cream or vegan cream cheese alternative.
• Low-Sugar Pineapple Carrot Cake: Swap sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, reduce overall sugar content, and use unsweetened crushed pineapple to create a diabetic-friendly dessert option.

Foods To Enjoy With Hawaiian Carrot Cake

• Pair Tropical Beverage: Sip a refreshing Hawaiian Mai Tai cocktail that complements the cake's tropical pineapple and carrot flavors, enhancing the dessert's sweet and tangy profile.
• Complement Coffee Style: Choose a smooth Hawaiian Kona coffee with light roasted notes that balance the cake's richness and highlight its warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.
• Match Dessert Wine: Select a sweet Moscato or late harvest Riesling with fruity undertones that harmonize perfectly with the cake's pineapple and cream cheese frosting.
• Enhance Tea Experience: Brew a ginger-infused green tea that echoes the cake's spice notes and provides a light, cleansing accompaniment to the dense, moist dessert.

How To Keep Hawaiian Carrot Cake Fresh

• Store covered cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap to prevent drying out and maintain moisture.
• Wrap completely cooled cake layers in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
• Cut individual cake slices, wrap separately in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bag. Keeps frozen for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30-45 minutes.
• Warm refrigerated cake slices in microwave for 15-20 seconds or in oven at 300F for 5-7 minutes. Ensure cake is covered to prevent moisture loss.

FAQs

• Are walnuts necessary for this recipe?

No, walnuts are optional. You can add them for extra crunch and texture, or skip them entirely if you prefer or have nut allergies.

• Can I use fresh or canned pineapple?

Crushed canned pineapple works best for this recipe. If using fresh pineapple, make sure to drain it thoroughly to prevent excess moisture in the cake.

• What makes the cake moist?

The combination of vegetable oil, eggs, grated carrots, and crushed pineapple ensures a super moist and tender cake texture. These ingredients work together to create a rich, soft crumb.

• Is this recipe good for beginners?

Yes, this Hawaiian carrot pineapple cake is relatively easy to make. The recipe involves simple mixing techniques and straightforward steps that even novice bakers can follow successfully.

Hawaiian Carrot Pineapple Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Tropical Hawaiian Carrot Pineapple Cake brings island sunshine to classic dessert perfection. Moist layers packed with sweet pineapple and tender carrots promise delightful bites that transport you straight to paradise.

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Ingredients

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Cake Dry Ingredients:

• 2 cups (480 ml) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) baking powder
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) ground ginger

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240 ml) vegetable oil
• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract

Mix-in Ingredients:

• 2 cups (480 ml) grated carrots
• 1 cup (240 ml) crushed pineapple, drained
• 1/2 cup (60 g) chopped walnuts (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350F (175C) and meticulously prepare two 9-inch round cake pans by greasing and dusting with flour to ensure effortless cake release.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly combine all dry ingredients – flour, sugar, leavening agents, spices – creating a uniform mixture that will provide a complex flavor profile.
3. Introduce vegetable oil and eggs to the dry ingredients, whisking vigorously until the batter achieves a smooth, homogeneous consistency.
4. Gently fold in grated carrots, crushed pineapple, aromatic vanilla extract, and optional chopped walnuts, distributing ingredients evenly throughout the batter.
5. Carefully distribute the batter between prepared cake pans, ensuring equal volume for consistent baking.
6. Place pans in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, monitoring until a inserted toothpick emerges clean, indicating perfect doneness.
7. Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling, which prevents moisture retention.
8. Craft a luxurious cream cheese frosting by blending cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until silky and spreadable.
9. Once cakes have thoroughly cooled, generously apply frosting, creating a decadent tropical-inspired dessert ready to delight.

Notes

• Drain pineapple thoroughly to prevent excess moisture from making the cake soggy and affecting the texture.
• Toast walnuts before adding to enhance their nutty flavor and provide a more complex taste profile.
• Use room temperature ingredients like eggs and cream cheese to ensure smoother mixing and better cake consistency.
• Consider reducing sugar slightly if using very sweet pineapple to balance the overall sweetness of the cake.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Hawaiian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 235 kcal
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 140 mg
• Fat: 13 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 2.3 g
• Protein: 4.5 g
• Cholesterol: 37 mg