TROPICAL CARROT CAKE WITH COCONUT CREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• For Cake: Preheat oven to 350.
• Butter three 9" diameter cake pans with 1 1/2"-high sides.
• Line bottom with parchment paper.
• Combine 1/3 cup flour and next three ingredients in processor.
• Process until nuts are finely chopped.
• Whisk remaining two cups flour, cinnamon, baking powder, salt and baking soda in medium bowl to blend.
• Using electric mixer, beat sugar and oil in large bowl to blend.
• Add eggs one at a time, beat well after each addition.
• Beat in vanilla.
• Beat in flour-spice mixture.
• Stir in coconut-macadamia nut mixture, then carrots and crushed pineapple.
• Divide batter among pans.
• Bake until tester inserted into center of cakes comes out clean, about 30 minutes.
• Cool in pans, on rack 1 hour.
• Run knife around edge of pans to loosen cakes.
• Turn cakes out onto racks; cool completely.
• For Frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter in large bowl until smooth.
• Beat in powdered sugar, then cream of coconut and both extracts.
• Chill until firm enough to spread.
• ,about 30 minutes.
• Place one cake layer, flat side up on platter.
• Spread 3/4 cup frosting over top of cake.
• Top with second cake layer, flat side up.
• Spread 3/4 cup of frostin gover.
• Top with third cake layer, rounded side up, pressing slightly to adhere.
• Spread thin layer of frosting over top and sides of cake.
• Chill cake and remaining frosting 30 minutes.
• Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake.
• Arrange whole nuts and ginger around top edge of cake.
• Chill 1 hour (Cake can be made one day ahead. Cover with cake dome and chill. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour before serving.).