FANTASTIC 3-LAYER CARROT CAKE

Fantastic 3-Layer Carrot Cake image

Provided by what-a-kerfuffle

Categories Dessert

Time 1h20m

Yield 16 slices, 16 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 19

2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
4 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 2/3 cups finely shredded carrots
3/4 cup flaked coconut
1 1/4 cups walnuts, chopped
1 (10 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter
3 1/2-4 cups powdered sugar

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour three 8" or 9" round cake pans.
Mix flour, baking soda and powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Make a well in the center. Add sugar, oil, applesauce, egg, and vanilla. Mix until just smooth; do not overmix.
Use a food processor or blender to puree pineapple. Stir pineapple, walnuts, and coconut into batter. Pour into pans.
Bake 35-40 minutes. Use a toothpick to make sure the centers are cooked through.
Cool on baking racks. The centers may sink a little.
Once thoroughly cooled, level the cakes. You may want to freeze them for a few minutes to make icing them easier.
Mix butter and cream cheese until smooth, and add the powdered sugar. Start with 3 1/2 c and add more if necessary.
Place the cake layers cut side down to frost. If you have problems with the cake crumbling, put it back in the freezer until it's harder.