This tropical carrot cake with creamy pineapple filling is sure to delight everyone’s taste buds.
By Yankee Magazine
May 11 2013
2 cups sugar
1-1/2 cups vegetable oil
4 eggs
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 teaspoons baking powder
pinch of salt
2 cups grated carrots
1 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped
1 can (8 ounces) unsweetened crushed pineapple, drained
2 tablespoons Grand Marnier
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. To make the cake, in the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the sugar and oil until creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until smooth and yellow, about 4 to 5 minutes. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, and salt. Add the flour mixture, a little at a time, to the sugar mixture, beating well after each addition. Add the carrots, nuts, pineapple, and Grand Marnier. Beat on low speed until well blended. Pour into 3 eight-inch cake pans that have been greased and dusted with flour. Bake for about 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in the pans for 10 minutes before turning out onto wire racks.
1 can (20 ounces) unsweetened crushed pineapple with juice
3/4 cup sugar
5 tablespoons flour
1/3 cup unsalted butter
To make the filling, in a medium saucepan, combine the pineapple, sugar, flour, and butter. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened. Remove from the heat and cool completely.
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups confectioners’ sugar
2 teaspoons orange juice
2 teaspoons grated orange rind
pecan halves or chopped walnuts for garnish (optional)
To make the frosting, in a medium-size bowl, cream the butter and cream cheese until fluffy. Add the vanilla, confectioners’ sugar, orange juice, and orange rind. Mix until smooth.
To assemble the cake, place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread half the pineapple filling on top. Add another layer and spread the remaining filling on top. Add the third layer and spread the frosting over the top and sides of the cake. Decorate with pecan halves or chopped walnuts if desired. Refrigerate until ready to serve.