Tropical Carrot Cake

I tried this for our Easter dinner. Overall it was well liked. I didn't serve it cold because I didn't make it early enough, but it is defienitely a cake that is so good cold. I got this out of the Cook's Country magazine.

Tropical Carrot Cake

Serves 12

You'll need one 14-ounce bag of sweetened shredded coconut for this recipe. To toast the coconut for the frosting, spread it on a rimmed baking sheet and bake in a 325-degree oven, stirring often, until golden brown, about 15 minutes.

Pineapple Pudding
1	pound frozen pineapple chunks , thawed
1/2	cup frozen pineapple juice concentrate, thawed
6	tablespoons cornstarch
Cake
2 1/2	cups all-purpose flour
1	tablespoon baking powder
4	teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
3/4	teaspoon ground ginger
1/2	teaspoon salt
3/4	pound carrots (about 6 medium), peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
1	cup sweetened shredded coconut
1 1/4	cups granulated sugar
1/2	cup packed light brown sugar
4	large eggs
1 1/2	cups vegetable oil
Cream Cheese Frosting
12	tablespoons unsalted butter , softened
3	cups confectioners' sugar
16	ounces cream cheese , cut into 8 pieces and softened
	Pinch salt
3	cups sweetened shredded coconut (see note)

1. For the pudding: Process pineapple chunks and concentrate in food processor until smooth. Transfer to medium saucepan and whisk in cornstarch until smooth. Bring to simmer over medium heat and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 2 minutes. Transfer to bowl and refrigerate until cold, at least 1 1/2 hours.

2. For the cake: Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray two 9-inch cake pans with cooking spray. Line pans with parchment and spray parchment with cooking spray. Whisk flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, ginger, and salt in large bowl.

3. Process carrots in food processor until finely ground. Transfer to large bowl and wipe processor bowl dry. Process coconut with granulated sugar until coconut is finely chopped. Add brown sugar and eggs and blend until mixture is smooth, about 1 minute. With machine running, slowly pour in oil and process until combined.

4. Transfer mixture to bowl with carrots. Add flour mixture and 3/4 cup pudding mixture and stir until no streaks of flour remain. Pour into prepared pans and bake until toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes, rotating pans halfway through baking time. Cool cakes in pans 10 minutes, then turn out onto rack, peel off parchment, and let cool completely, about 2 hours.

5. For the frosting: With electric mixer at medium-high speed, beat butter and sugar until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add cream cheese, 1 piece at a time, and beat until incorporated. Beat in remaining 1 cup pineapple pudding and salt. (Mixture will appear slightly grainy.) Refrigerate until ready to use.

6. When cakes are cooled, spread 2 cups frosting on 1 cake. Top with second cake and spread top and sides with remaining frosting. Refrigerate for 15 minutes. Sprinkle toasted coconut on top and press into sides of cake. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve, up to 2 days.

* I only refridgerated the pineapple pudding for about 20-30 minutes and it seemd fine. I also made this as a sheet cake and cooked it at 350* for 20 minutes. I didn't put coconut on top of the frosting either, but I bet that would make it killer.