Coconut Carrot Cake

Total Time

Prep: 25 min. Bake: 35 min. + cooling

Makes

14 servings

Updated: Jun. 30, 2023
I found this recipe in a cookbook years ago. It's easy to make, and my family loves its moistness. It's impressive when prepared in three layers. -Shirley Braithewaite, Onaway, Alberta

Ingredients

  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup canola oil
  • 4 large eggs
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple
  • 2 cups grated carrots
  • 1-1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
  • FROSTING:
  • 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • Orange paste food coloring
  • Parsley sprig

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, beat the sugar, oil and eggs until well blended. In another large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into sugar mixture until blended. Drain pineapple, reserving juice; set juice aside. Stir in the pineapple, carrots and coconut (batter will be thick).
  2. Transfer to three greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.
  3. For frosting, in a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla until fluffy. Gradually add confectioners' sugar and enough of the reserved pineapple juice to achieve desired spreading consistency. Tint 1/4 cup frosting orange; place in a small resealable plastic bag. Cut a small hole in a corner of the bag; set aside.
  4. Place one cake layer on a serving plate; spread with a third of the white frosting. Repeat layers twice. With orange frosting, pipe carrots on top; add parsley sprig for carrot top. Cover and store in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice: 664 calories, 33g fat (13g saturated fat), 96mg cholesterol, 526mg sodium, 87g carbohydrate (55g sugars, 2g fiber), 7g protein.