Tradewinds Carrot Cake

Yield: one 9-inch 3-layer cake; 16 servings

Ingredients

Carrot Cake

• 1 3/4 cups + 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
• 1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 4 cups shredded carrots
• 1 cup chopped unsalted macadamia nuts or pecans
• 1/2 cup raisins or currants

Pineapple Filling

• 2 cup diced fresh pineapple
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup pineapple juice
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Icing

• 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup softened butter
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup finely chopped toasted unsalted macadamia nuts or pecans

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease three 9 x 1-inch cake pans. Line bottom with circle of wax paper. Grease paper and lightly flour pans.
2. Carrot Cake: Sift together 1 3/4 cups + 2 tablespoons flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.
3. In large mixing bowl, combine oil, sugar and eggs. With electric mixer, beat at medium speed until light in color, about 3 to 4 minutes.
4. At low speed, gradually add flour mixture, beating just until smooth.
5. Combine carrots, nuts, raisins and remaining 2 tablespoons flour. Gently fold into batter. Pour batter into prepared pans.
6. Bake at 350 degrees F for 28 to 30 minutes.
7. Turn cake out and cool completely, paper side down.
8. Pineapple Filling: In medium saucepan, combine pineapple and sugar. Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until pineapple is tender, about 15 to 20 minutes.
9. Combine pineapple juice and cornstarch, and stir into cooked pineapple; boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla extract. Cool. Can be made ahead and chilled, covered, in refrigerator.
10. Cream Cheese Icing: In medium bowl, with electric mixer, beat together cream cheese and butter. Add sugar and vanilla extract; beat until smooth.
11. 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.
12. Press chopped toasted nuts onto sides of cake.