POLYNESIAN WEDDING CAKE

Polynesian Wedding Cake image

Provided by petlover

Time 1h10m

Yield 1 cake, 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 18

2 cups flour
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
1 1/4 cups vegetable oil
3 eggs
2 cups sugar
2 cups finely shredded carrots
1 cup chopped nuts
3/4 cup shredded coconut
1 cup chopped dates (optional) or 1 cup raisins (optional)
1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup toasted coconut
3 cups confectioners' sugar

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Grease a 13-by-9-inch baking pan and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, using a wooden spoon (do not use a mixer), combine oil and sugar until blended.
Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition, and vanilla. Gradually add dry ingredients, stirring until well blended.
Add shredded carrots, chopped nuts, pineapple and coconut and mix just until combined.
Bake for 50 minutes or until top of cake springs back when lightly touched.
After cake has cooled, top with cream cheese frosting or serve plain.
Cream Cheese Frosting:.
Cream together the cream cheese and butter.
Add confectioners' sugar, milk, vanilla and most of the toasted coconut. Let cake cool completely and spread frosting on top. Decorate top with toasted coconut, if desired. Variation: Substituting 1 teaspoon of lemon zest for the vanilla and 1/2 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice for the milk will produce a nice lemony frosting.