Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and grease 3 9-inch cake pans. Cut circles from parchment or waxed paper to fit the pans, lay them in the bottom, and grease them.

Step 2

Measure the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt into a large bowl and fluff with a fork to mix.

Step 3

Combine the sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla in a large bowl and mix with an electric mixer on low until creamy, about 2 minutes.

Step 4

Add the dry ingredients gradually with mixer on low, scraping down the bowl and mixing until all dry ingredients are mixed in.

Step 5

Add the pineapple and carrots and mix on medium low for 1 minute. Stir in the coconut and nuts by hand.

Step 6

Pour batter into the prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes. Top of cake should spring back and not leave fingerprints when cake is done; or insert a toothpick in the center. The toothpick should come out clean with no wet crumbs.

Step 7

Remove to a cooling rack for 10 minutes. Turn out cake layers onto cooling racks upside down and carefully peel off the paper liner. Continue to cool completely before assembling the cake.

Step 8

To Prepare the Frosting:

Step 9

In an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese, butter, milk, and vanilla on medium high until mixed and fluffy, for 2 minutes. Scrape down the bowl with a rubber spatula.

Step 10

Add the powdered sugar gradually and continue to beat until frosting is mixed, adding a bit more milk if necessary to reach spreading consistency.

Step 11

To Assemble the Cake:

Step 12

Place one layer of cake, top down, on serving plate. Spread with about cup frosting up to the edges. Add another layer and spread another cup frosting in a smooth layer up to the edges. Add the final layer, top up, making sure that the layers are stacked evenly and top is flat and even.

Step 13

Begin the final frosting by spreading a light coating evenly over the sides. Use half of the remaining frosting to spread evenly over the top and then the final half to spread on the sides for a final coat. Using a frosting spatula (sometimes called offset spatula) makes this easiest.

Step 14

Sprinkle top with nuts to garnish and chill for 1 hour before serving for most even slicing.