Here’s a moist, tropical-style cake packed with carrots, crushed pineapple, coconut, and nuts — topped with rich cream cheese frosting.
🍍🥕 Hawaiian Carrot Pineapple Cake
📝 Ingredients
For the Cake
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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2 teaspoons baking soda
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½ teaspoon salt
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2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
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½ teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
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1 cup granulated sugar
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1 cup brown sugar (packed)
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1 cup vegetable oil
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4 large eggs
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2 teaspoons vanilla extract
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2 cups finely grated carrots (about 3–4 medium)
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1 cup crushed pineapple, drained (reserve 2 tbsp juice)
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1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
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1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
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8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
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½ cup unsalted butter, softened
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3–4 cups powdered sugar
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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1–2 tablespoons reserved pineapple juice (optional, for tropical flavor)
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Prep
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
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Grease a 9×13-inch pan or two 9-inch round cake pans.
2️⃣ Mix Dry Ingredients
In a bowl, whisk together:
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Flour
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Baking soda
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Salt
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Cinnamon
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Nutmeg
3️⃣ Mix Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl:
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Beat sugars, oil, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
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Stir in grated carrots.
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Fold in crushed pineapple, coconut, and nuts.
4️⃣ Combine
Gradually add dry ingredients into wet mixture.
Mix just until combined (do not overmix).
5️⃣ Bake
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Pour into prepared pan.
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Bake:
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9×13 pan: 40–45 minutes
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Round pans: 30–35 minutes
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Toothpick should come out clean.
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Cool completely before frosting.
🧁 Frosting
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Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
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Gradually add powdered sugar.
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Mix in vanilla and a little pineapple juice (optional).
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Spread over cooled cake.
🌴 Optional Add-Ons
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Add ½ cup raisins
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Toast the coconut before mixing
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Sprinkle extra coconut and pecans on top
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Add a thin layer of crushed pineapple between cake layers
💡 Tips for Ultra-Moist Cake
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Don’t over-drain pineapple (a little moisture is good).
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Let cake chill 1–2 hours after frosting for best flavor.
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Tastes even better the next day!
If you’d like, I can also give you:
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A sheet cake shortcut version
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A layered bakery-style version
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Or a lighter version with less oil 😊