Tropical Carrot Cake Recipes

Steps:

• For Cake: Preheat oven to 350.
• Butter three 9" diameter cake pans with 1 1/2"-high sides.
• Line bottom with parchment paper.
• Combine 1/3 cup flour and next three ingredients in processor.
• Process until nuts are finely chopped.
• Whisk remaining two cups flour, cinnamon, baking powder, salt and baking soda in medium bowl to blend.
• Using electric mixer, beat sugar and oil in large bowl to blend.
• Add eggs one at a time, beat well after each addition.
• Beat in vanilla.
• Beat in flour-spice mixture.
• Stir in coconut-macadamia nut mixture, then carrots and crushed pineapple.
• Divide batter among pans.
• Bake until tester inserted into center of cakes comes out clean, about 30 minutes.
• Cool in pans, on rack 1 hour.
• Run knife around edge of pans to loosen cakes.
• Turn cakes out onto racks; cool completely.
• For Frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter in large bowl until smooth.
• Beat in powdered sugar, then cream of coconut and both extracts.
• Chill until firm enough to spread.
• ,about 30 minutes.
• Place one cake layer, flat side up on platter.
• Spread 3/4 cup frosting over top of cake.
• Top with second cake layer, flat side up.
• Spread 3/4 cup of frostin gover.
• Top with third cake layer, rounded side up, pressing slightly to adhere.
• Spread thin layer of frosting over top and sides of cake.
• Chill cake and remaining frosting 30 minutes.
• Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake.
• Arrange whole nuts and ginger around top edge of cake.
• Chill 1 hour (Cake can be made one day ahead. Cover with cake dome and chill. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour before serving.).

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Grease three 9- by 1 1/2-inch cake pans. Line bottom with circle of wax paper. Grease paper and lightly flour pans.
• Sift together 1 3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.
• In large mixing bowl, combine oil, sugar and eggs. With electric mixer, beat at medium speed until light in color, about three to four minutes.
• At low speed, gradually add flour mixture, beating just until smooth. Combine carrots, nuts, raisins and remaining two tablespoons flour. Gently fold into batter.
• Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake at 350°F for 28 to 30 minutes. Turn cake out and cool completely, paper side down.
• For Pineapple Filling:.
• In medium saucepan, combine pineapple and sugar. Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until pineapple is tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Combine pineapple juice and cornstarch, and stir into cooked pineapple; boil for one minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Cool. (Can be made ahead and chilled, covered, in refrigerator).
• In medium bowl, with electric mixer, beat together cream cheese and butter. Add sugar and vanilla; beat until smooth.
• To assemble cake: Peel paper off cake layers. Place one layer on serving plate. Spread pineapple filling over cake layer.
• Place second layer on top of filling and spread about 1 cup of icing over cake layer.
• Top with third layer and spread remaining icing evenly over sides and top of cake. Press chopped, toasted nuts onto sides of cake.

Steps:

• (BAKING NOTES: AVOID 9-INCH CAKE PANS WHICH HAVE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE HANDLE TABS, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO FIT THREE 9-INCH PANS ON ONE BAKING RACK, WHICH IS RECOMMENDED FOR PROPER RISING AND EVEN BAKING. HERE IS A GUIDE FOR VARIATION BAKING TIMES AT 350°F: Two 8 x 1-1/2-inch round baking pans -- 35 to 40 minutes Two 9 x 1-1/2-inch round baking pans -- 30 to 35 minutes Two 8 x 8 x 2-inch baking pans -- 25 to 35 minutes Two 9 x 9 x 2-inch baking pans -- 25 to 35 minutes -- One 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan -- 30 to 35 minutes One 15 x 10 x 1-inch baking pan -- 25 to 30 minutes Cupcakes (half full of batter) -- 18 to 23 minutes). (STEP ONE): PLACE oven rack in center position; PREHEAT oven to 350°F; OIL three (9-inch) cake pans lightly; PRESS a sheet of parchment paper into the bottom of both cake pans: SCORE parchment paper around bottom perimeter of cake pan; CUT a circle from scored sheet; LINE the bottoms of cake pans with parchment paper cut-out; BUTTER top of parchment paper insert well; DUST the greased inserts lightly with flour; TAP out excess flour; SET prepared pans aside.
• PULSE 1 cup pre-roasted macadamia nuts in a food processor and save 2/3 cup for the cake and set aside; COARSELY grind remaining 1/3 cup macadamia nuts in processor for the garnish, transfer to separate small bowl and set aside; PEEL enough fresh carrots to yield 2 1/4 cups grated; SHAVE a few 3-4 inch strips from carrots using a vegetable peeler and place into ice water for the garnish; FINELY grate the remaining carrots using a food processor grate to yield 2 1/4 cups (remove any large chunks that may get in), transfer grated carrots to a large bowl; ADD 1 cup Baker's Angel Flake coconut to carrots in bowl; PUREE one medium very ripe banana in food processor; ADD all but 2 tablespoons of banana puree to carrot mixture (reserving 2 tablespoons banana puree for the icing); RESERVE juice from one (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple; ADD well-drained crushed pineapple to carrot mixture in bowl; BLEND the carrot/coconut/banana/pineapple mixture well and set aside until needed; FOLLOW the link if candied carrot curls are desired, courtesy of The Cupcake Project (with thanks): http://www.cupcakeproject.com/2010/04/candied-carrot-curls-unique-carrot.html.
• MIX the following dry ingredients together in a separate medium bowl: 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt (omit if using salted butter), 1 teaspoon ground allspice (or 1/3 tsp each cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg), and 1/2 teaspoon ginger powder; SET aside.
• CREAM 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter in a large mixing bowl using an electric stand mixer until light and fluffy; ADD 2 cups Coconut Secret brand Raw Coconut Crystals gradually to the creamed butter and beat well; CRACK 4 eggs into a separate container and remove any shell fragments; LIGHTLY beat eggs without adding to mixture.
• ALTERNATELY beat in the dry flour mixture and pour beaten egg mixture in one fourth increments on medium-low speed, until all of the flour mixture is used and all egg has been beaten into mixture; STOP mixer; ADD one 6 ounce container Yoplait pina colada yogurt, 1/4 cup natural coconut rum and 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; MIX on lowest speed; SLOWLY add the carrot/coconut/banana/pineapple mixture while beating on medium speed (without over-mixing); RAISE standing mixer top and scrape attachment and bowl sides; REMOVE bowl from stand; FOLD in 2/3 cup coarsely chopped roasted macadamia nuts.
• DIVIDE batter equally into the 3 prepared pans; DROP each cake pan levelly onto countertop 3 times to disperse air pockets; PLACE cakes into oven; SET timer for 30 minutes; BAKE until timer sounds; TEST center(s) of cake(s) with a wooden toothpick or cake tester until it comes out clean (bake for an additional 5 minutes and test again); REMOVE baked cakes from oven; LEAVE the cakes in pans to rest and cool for 10 minutes; CAREFULLY invert and transfer cakes from pans onto cooling racks, peeling away parchment paper; ALLOW cakes to cool completely; ZEST one fresh lime to yield 1/4 teaspoon and set aside; SQUEEZE juice from lime to yield 2 teaspoons for the icing.
• INTO a small cup using a fork to blend, mix 2 tablespoons banana puree, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 2 teaspoons reserved pineapple juice, 1 1/2 teaspoons natural coconut rum, and 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; SET mixture aside; INTO a large mixing bowl add 12 ounces softened real cream cheese and 1 stick softened butter over; BEAT until creamy; SCRAPE the mixture of banana, juices, rum and extract into the mixing bowl; BEGIN beating; SIFT in the powdered sugar while beating constantly until smooth; SLOWLY pour in the reserved blend the ISLAND ICING until smooth and creamy.
• PLACE one cake layer top-side up on cake plate or cake stand; SPREAD about 2/3 cup of the ISLAND ICING on the first layer of cake; PLACE the second cake layer top-side down evenly over first; REPEAT procedures to the third layer top-side up again; FROST the sides of the cake first with the ISLAND ICING; COVER the top layer of cake loosely with plastic wrap; TOSS 1/3 cup ground macadamia nuts along the sides of the cake; REMOVE wrap from unfrosted top cake layer.
• FROST the top of the cake with the remaining ISLAND ICING, decorating in swirls (Note: Any leftover icing freezes well if stored in an airtight container then defrosted in refrigerator); SPRINKLE the top of the cake with 1/3 cup flaked coconut; GARNISH top with 1 tablespoon finely grated fresh carrot and a few flecks of fresh lime zest; REFRIGERATE for an hour to set icing before serving.
• CUT servings and place onto plates; TEMPER cake servings to room temperature, covered loosely with plastic wrap (OR) WARM cake uncovered in a microwave defrost setting just long enough to soften cake and temper frosting; SERVE and enjoy!

Steps:

• Cake-Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Grease a 9x13 pan.
• In a food processor mix first 8 ingredients with metal blade.
• Through feed tube add oil, eggs and vanilla pulsing to mix together.
• Put rest of ingredients into the processor and pulse just to mix inches.
• Do not over mix.
• Pour into cake pan and bake for 45-60 minutes.
• Frosting: Beat ricotta well add sugar and vanilla.
• Gentle fold the chips then the whipped cream.
• Refrigerate for the time it takes to cook and cool the cake, then frost cooled cake.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat eggs, oil and buttermilk. Combine flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; add to egg mixture and mix well. Stir in vanilla, carrots, raisins, pineapple, walnuts and coconut; mix well. Pour into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 45-50 minutes or until cake tests done. Cool. , For frosting, beat all ingredients in a bowl until smooth. Frost cake.

Steps:

• Make the cake: Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Brush three 9-inch-round cake pans with vegetable oil and line the bottoms with parchment paper. Spread the pecans on a baking sheet and bake until toasted, about 10 minutes. Let cool, then pulse in a food processor until very finely chopped.
• Combine the pecans, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger and granulated sugar in a large bowl. In another bowl, whisk the vegetable oil, lemon zest, eggs and 1/2 cup marmalade. Stir in the carrots, then fold the carrot mixture into the flour mixture until just combined. Divide among the prepared pans and spread evenly (it won't look like a lot of batter, but the cakes will rise in the oven). Put 2 pans on the upper oven rack and the third pan on the lower rack. Bake until the cakes bounce back when touched and a toothpick comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes, switching the position of the pans halfway through. Transfer the pans to racks until cool enough to handle, then invert the cakes onto the racks to cool completely. Remove the parchment.
• Make the frosting: Beat the cream cheese and butter in a bowl with a mixer until smooth, scraping down the bowl as needed. Beat in the confectioners' sugar, lemon juice, vanilla and salt until smooth.
• Put 1 cake layer on a platter. Spread with 1 tablespoon marmalade, then spread about 3/4 cup frosting over the marmalade. Top with another cake layer, marmalade and frosting. Spread the final cake layer with a thin layer of frosting. (This is the crumb coat; it doesn't have to be perfect.) Refrigerate 1 hour, then cover with the remaining frosting. Swirl some marmalade into the top of the cake. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Photograph by Con Poulos

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Grease and flour a bundt pan.
• I use Bakers Joy spray.
• Beat cake mix, water (milk), oil, eggs and pineapple on low speed 3 minutes.
• Stir in nuts and raisins.
• Pour into prepared pan.
• Bake for 50-55 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
• Cool in pan 15 minutes.
• Remove from pan and cool on wire rack.
• Cool at least 1 hour before frosting.

Steps:

• For cake:.
• Preheat oven to 350°F Butter three 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 1 1/2-inch-high sides. Line bottom of pans with parchment paper. Combine 1/3 cup flour and next 3 ingredients in processor. Process until nuts are finely chopped. Whisk remaining 2 cups flour, cinnamon, baking powder, salt, and baking soda in medium bowl to blend.
• Using electric mixer, beat sugar and oil in large bowl to blend. Add eggs and egg whites (beaten) 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Beat in flour-spice mixture. Stir in coconut-macadamia mixture, then carrots and crushed pineapple.
• Divide batter among pans. Bake until tester inserted into center of cakes comes out clean, about 30-35 minutes. Cool in pans on racks 1 hour. Run knife around edge of pans to loosen cakes. Turn cakes out onto racks; cool completely.

Steps:

• Icing:.
• Soften cream cheese. Beat with butter until smooth. Stir in orange peel and vanilla. Beat in icing sugar until smooth. Put aside until the cake has cooled then spread on cake.
• Cake:.
• Preheat oven to 350°F Grease and flour 3 9" cake pans. Or you can use a 9 x 13" pan. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and remaining spices. Set aside.
• Beat eggs slightly in large bowl. Gradually beat in sugar until thick and lemon coloured. Slowly stir in oil. Add flour mixture and remaining ingredients. Mix well.
• Pour into prepared pans and bake 40 minutes or until knife comes out clean. Cool in pans then turn onto racks. Frost.

Steps:

• Mix first four ingredients, using only the juice from the oranges, reserving oranges to add later.
• After mixed well, gently fold in oranges.
• Bake in a 9x13 pan at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until done.
• Cool completely!
• Mix remaining four ingredients and spread over cake.
• Refrigerate for one hour and serve cold.