Treat yourself to this goodie-packed, flavor-filled, carrot cake topped with a decadent cream cheese frosting! The cake is moist and filled with comforting spices and complementary flavors. The shredded carrots and crushed pineapple lend a sweet flavor while the pecans and coconut add lovely depth and texture.

Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Serves 12

Cake Ingredients:

3 cups finely shredded carrots (about 4 carrots)
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
4 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1-1/4 cups brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
3/4 cup crushed pineapple, drained
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup vegetable oil1 cup finely chopped pecans
1 cup shredded sweetened coconut

Cream Cheese Frosting:

1-1/2 packs of cream cheese (12 oz), room temperature
1 cup butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Prepare three round 8-inch cake pans by spraying with baking spray, lining with a parchment round, then spraying again for foolproof removal once baked.

3. Finely grate the carrots using a food processor or a handheld grater. If using a food processor, grate the carrots, then pulse a few more times to make an extra fine texture. Don’t over pulse -- the carrots could turn into juice!

4. In a mixing bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Set aside.

5. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs with the sugar, brown sugar, sour cream, applesauce, crushed pineapple, vanilla extract, and oil. Whisk until fully combined and fluffy. Add in the grated carrots and stir until well-mixed.

6. Combine the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Don't over mix: this will create a too dense cake. Gently fold in the chopped pecans and shredded coconut.

7. Evenly pour the cake batter into the three prepared pans.

8. Bake for 25-28 minutes or, until a wooden toothpick pierced in the center comes out clean.

9. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans on a wire cooling rack for 15-20 minutes, then carefully remove the cakes from the pans, and continue to cool on the wire cooling rack. Allow the cakes to cool completely before frosting.

10. While the cakes are baking and cooling, prepare the frosting. Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat the room temperature cream cheese and butter together for about 2-3 minutes until it’s very smooth.

11. Add in the vanilla extract, salt, and powdered sugar. Continue mixing until the frosting is fluffy and reaches the desired texture for frosting. For a stiffer frosting, continue adding powdered sugar in 2 tablespoon increments until the desired consistency is reached.

12. Frost and stack the cooled cakes with frosting using a frosting knife. Add toasted coconut on the sides, if desired.

13. Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and enjoy within 2 days.