• Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans to ensure your cake releases easily, then set them aside.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt until well combined. This blend of warm spices will give your cake its signature cozy flavor!
• If you'd like, peel the carrots, then trim off the ends. Grate or shred them using a food processor or a box grater—whichever method you prefer. Freshly grated carrots add the perfect moisture and sweetness to your cake!
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and eggs on medium-high speed until everything is well combined and slightly thickened.
• Reduce the speed to medium and slowly drizzle in the oil while the mixer is running. Once added, increase the speed and continue mixing until the mixture turns pale and slightly fluffy.
• Now, fold in the crushed pineapple and shredded carrots, mixing just until everything is evenly incorporated. Your batter is coming together beautifully!
• Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture by hand, mixing just until no streaks of flour remain. Be careful not to over-mix—this keeps the cake light and tender!
• Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Start checking around 30 minutes, but it may take up to 45 minutes.
• Once baked, let the cakes cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before carefully inverting them onto a cooling rack. Let them cool completely before frosting.
• Pro tip: For easier frosting with fewer crumbs, double-wrap the cooled cakes in plastic wrap and freeze for a few hours before assembling. It makes a world of difference!

The BEST Cream Cheese Frosting:

• Place the cream cheese in a large bowl and beat it with a hand mixer until perfectly smooth.
• Gradually add the butter, two tablespoons at a time, mixing continuously until the mixture is silky and well blended.
• Add all the powdered sugar and vanilla at once, then mix just until everything is combined and smooth. Be careful not to overbeat—if the frosting gets too soft, simply pop it in the fridge or freezer for a bit to firm up.
• Frost your cake as desired, creating those dreamy, creamy layers. Store it covered in the refrigerator to keep it fresh. A cake container works great, but if you’re using plastic wrap, keep it loose to avoid messing up that gorgeous frosting!