KEYS & KITCHEN | April 2026 Monthly Recipes from the Team Alaka'i Kitchen!

Easter Bunny's Cake

A moist, warmly spiced carrot cake with a silky cream cheese frosting, crushed pineapple for moisture, and a touch of orange zest for brightness.

By Moses Bell | The Cooking Realtor, Team Alaka'i

A Little About Me

I'm Moses Bell, one of the agents here on Team Alaka'i, brokered by eXp Realty. What most people don't know about me right away is that I spend just as much time in the kitchen as I do writing offers. Food is how I connect. It's how I show up for my clients, my family, and my community.

So every month, I'm bringing you a recipe that means something to me. This is Keys & Kitchen real food, real stories, from a real realtor who just happens to love to cook.

What You'll Need

Cake:

• 2 cups chopped pecans or walnuts (1 cup for cake, 1 cup for garnish)

• 1 1/2 cups packed light or dark brown sugar

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

• 1 cup vegetable oil

• 4 large eggs, room temperature

• 3/4 cup crushed pineapple, well-drained

• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

• 1 tbsp orange zest (about 1 orange)

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled

• 2 tsp baking powder

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

• 1 tsp ground ginger

• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

• 1/4 tsp ground cloves

• 2 cups freshly grated carrots (about 4 large)
  

Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 16 oz full-fat brick cream cheese, softened to room temperature

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

• 4 cups confectioners' sugar

• 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

• Pinch of salt, to taste

How to Make It

Step 1: Toast the Nuts

Preheat oven to 300°F (149°C). Spread nuts on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake 6-8 minutes until fragrant, shaking halfway through. Cool 10-15 minutes. Increase oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease two or three 9-inch round cake pans, line with parchment rounds, and grease the parchment.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together both sugars, oil, eggs, pineapple, vanilla, and orange zest until smooth and no brown sugar lumps remain.

Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a separate large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Step 4: Combine, Fold, and Bake Pour wet into dry and fold with a spatula until just combined. Fold in the carrots and 1 cup of toasted nuts. Divide batter evenly among pans. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean — 20-25 minutes for three pans, 30-35 minutes for two. Cool in pans for 1 hour, remove, peel off parchment, and cool completely before frosting. Step 5: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting Beat cream cheese and butter together on medium-high for 2 minutes until smooth. Add confectioners' sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Beat on low 30 seconds, then high for 3 minutes until creamy. If too thin, refrigerate 30 minutes before using. Step 6: Assemble Level each layer with a serrated knife. Place the first layer on your stand or plate and spread 3/4 to 1 cup of frosting on top. Add the second layer upside down, frost the top. Add the third layer right side up, then frost the top and sides. Press remaining toasted nuts on as garnish. Refrigerate at least 20 minutes before slicing. If refrigerated longer than 4 hours, bring to room temp for 2 hours before serving.

Serves 12 slices | Prep: 30 min | Bake: 20 to 35 min | Cool: 1 Hour

NOTES

• Pineapple substitutes: Swap with 3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce, mashed bananas, sour cream, or plain yogurt.

• Make ahead: Cake layers can be baked and stored at room temp overnight. Frosting keeps refrigerated overnight — let sit 15 min and re-whip 1 minute before using. Freeze frosted or unfrosted layers up to 2-3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge.

• Nut-free: Omit nuts entirely, no other changes needed.

• Pan variations: 9x13 pan: bake 40-45 min. Bundt (10-12 cup): bake 55-75 min. Cupcakes: fill liners 2/3 full, bake 20-22 min at 350°F — yields about 24.

• Carrot tip: Always grate whole carrots fresh at home. Pre-shredded bagged carrots are dry and will hurt the texture.

• Cream cheese tip: Use full-fat brick/block only — not the spreadable tub kind.

What This Cake Really Taught Me

Carrot cake doesn't sound like much on paper. But add pineapple, fresh orange zest, and a little aloha, and it becomes something people remember. That's how it works in the kitchen. And honestly, that's how it works in real estate too.

The best homes aren't just four walls. They're where your family gathers, where traditions start, where recipes get passed down. Hawaii has always understood that. Home here means something deeper.

If you're thinking about your next move, buying, selling, or investing right here in the islands. Team Alaka'i is ready for that conversation. We care about this community the same way I care about what comes out of my kitchen. With intention, with heart, and always made from scratch.