Semi-Homemade Tropical Carrot Cake
A delicious easy tropical flavored carrot cake using box cake mix.
Equipment
- 9 x 13 baking dish
- non-stick cooking spray
- large mixing bowl
- electric hand mixer with beaters and whisk attachment
- measuring cups & spoons
- spatula
- medium mixing bowl
- offset spatula
Ingredients
- 1 (15.25) oz box spice or carrot cake mix
- 1 pinch (1/8 tsp) salt
- NOTE: if you want to use a yellow cake mix add in 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground ginger, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg.
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1/2 cup light olive oil or melted butter
- 3/4 cup milk or water
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 10 oz (bag) shredded carrots (DIVIDED)
- 1 (14oz) can pineapple chunks, drained well
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut shreds
- 1-2 tubs (16oz each) cream cheese frosting (store bought or make your recipe)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. (I use Baker's Joy that has flour in it.) Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl whisk together cake mix and salt. (NOTE: if using yellow cake mix, whisk in the spices listed above.)
- Add in eggs, oil, milk, and vanilla.
- Using an electric hand mixer beat on medium speed for 2 minutes until well combined. This will be a thick batter.
- Fold in shredded carrots, drained pineapple chunks, chopped walnuts, and shredded coconut until mixed well.
- Place mixture into prepared baking dish and smooth evenly.
- Place in preheated oven on middle rack and bake for 25-30 minutes. Insert a toothpick in center of cake to test for doneness.
- Cool cake completely in baking dish on a wire rack.
- Place frosting in a medium or large bowl and whip it up using the whisk attachment on the electric hand mixer. This creates volume and a lighter consistency to help with ease of frosting the cake.
- Frost the cake using an offset spatula. Decorate by place extra walnuts, shredded carrots and/or coconut shreds on top. Enjoy.
- Cake should be refrigerated after 2 hours. It can last in refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can also freeze by individually wrapping pieces in plastic wrap and placing into a gallon freezer bag inside of freezer.