This Hummingbird Cake recipe is moist and delicious, loaded with ripe bananas, crushed pineapple, and toasted pecans, finished with a velvety cream cheese frosting. Perfect for your next celebration or to impress your guests at a potluck, this cake is the ultimate indulgence for any occasion.
What's Hummingbird Cake?
Hummingbird Cake was created in Jamaica, then brilliantly marketed to invite Americans to their island. Made popular by Southern Living Magazine, and rest is history.
Hummingbird Cake combines the flavors of banana, pineapple, pecans and spices, resulting in a moist and flavorful treat. Similar to a carrot cake, but packed with tropical flavor, smothered in a sweet cream cheese frosting.
Key Ingredients
- Self Rising Flour
- Sugar - brown sugar and white sugar
- Spices - cinnamon and nutmeg
- Eggs
- Vegetable Oil
- Vanilla Essence
- Ripe Bananas - mashed with a fork
- Can of Crushed Pineapples - drained
- Pecans - save some for topping the cake
- Desiccated Coconut
- Cream Cheese Frosting - with butter, icing sugar and vanilla
How to Make Hummingbird Cake
- Prepare - preheat your oven to 320°F (160°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. Line the base of the pans with round cut outs of baking paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients - in a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, and cinnamon.
- Add Liquids - add the eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Whisk until the batter is smooth (about 2 minutes).
- Fold - gently fold in the mashed bananas, 1 cup of crushed pineapple, and 1 cup of chopped pecans (if desired). Be careful not to overmix the batter.
- Pour - Divide the batter equally among the prepared cake pans. Smooth the tops with a spatula.
- Bake - in the preheated oven for approximately 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
- Cool - remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Frosting - beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until creamy and smooth, gradually adding icing sugar and vanilla essence.
- Layer the Cake - once the cakes have cooled completely, place one layer on a serving plate and spread a generous amount of cream cheese frosting on top. Repeat with the remaining layers, stacking them on top of each other. Use frosting to cover the top and sides of cake.
- Decorate - sprinkle additional chopped pecans, banana slices for a beautiful finishing touch.
- Allow to Set - for at least an hour before serving, or refrigerate if desired. This will allow the flavors to meld together, resulting in an even more delicious cake.
How to Make Self Rising Flour
Self-rising flour is a versatile ingredient commonly used in baking. Here's a simple method to make self-rising flour for this recipe:
- 3 cups of all purpose flour
- 4½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Hummingbird Cake Topping Ideas
- Classic - topped with cream cheese and served on a cake platter
- Fresh Fruit - garnish with slices of fresh fruit like bananas, pineapple or even berries
- Flowers - edible flowers add a beautiful tropical presentation
- Coconut and Nuts - toasted coconut and pecans sprinkled over cake
- Caramel Drizzle - elevate the cake with a drizzle of caramel
Recipe Tips and FAQs
- Ripe Bananas - using ripe bananas ensures better flavor, sweeter and tastier banana flavor
- Drain - make sure to drain the crushed pineapple well to remove excess moisture and prevent a soggy cake.
- Toast Pecans - adds depth to flavors. Toast by placing pecans in a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Stir with a wooden spoon continuously so they don't burn. As they start to turn a bit darker and smell like toasting nuts, they are done. Cool on a paper towel.
- Lighter Cake - for a lighter version of the cake, you can substitute a portion of the oil with unsweetened applesauce.
- Vanilla Bean - to elevate the flavors in your cream cheese frosting, try Vanilla Bean Paste. You'll never use regular vanilla again.
Can I Make Hummingbird Cake in
Advance?
Absolutely! This cake actually tastes better when made a day in advance. Just store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and the flavors will continue to develop.
Can I freeze Hummingbird Cake?
Yes, you can freeze hummingbird cake. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe container. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before serving. Best frozen without frosting.
Can I Omit the Nuts From the Recipe?
Certainly! If you have a nut allergy or simply prefer a nut-free cake, you can omit the pecans without significantly affecting the taste or texture.
Can I Use a Different Frosting?
While cream cheese frosting pairs beautifully with hummingbird cake, you can use a vanilla or coconut frosting if desired. However, the cream cheese frosting complements the flavors of the cake perfectly.
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- No Bake Cherry Cheesecake
- Sharlotka Apple Cake
- American Apple Pie
- Pumpkin Roll with Cream Cheese
- German Plum Cake
- Bird's Nest Cookies
Indulge in the heavenly flavors of a homemade Hummingbird Cake by following this simple and delicious recipe. This cake is a showstopper at any occasion. So grab your apron, and get ready to create a sensational hummingbird cake that will leave your guests begging for more. Bon Appetit! Приятного аппетита!
Equipment
- 2 9-inch round cake pans
Ingredients
- 3 cups Self Rising Flour
- 3 Eggs
- 1 cups Brown Sugar firmly packed
- 1 cup White Sugar
- 1¼ cup Vegetable Oil
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon Nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Essence
- ½ teaspoon Salt if self raising flour doesn't contain salt
- 2 Mashed Bananas
- 1 cup Crushed Pineapple drained from juice
- 1½ cups Chopped Pecans (save ½ cup for topping)
- ½ cup Desiccated Coconut
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 oz (500g) Cream Cheese at room temperature
- 2 cups Icing Sugar
- ½ cup Butter at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Bean Paste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 320°F (160°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. Line the base of the pans with round cut outs of baking paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, and cinnamon.
- Add the eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Whisk until the batter is smooth (about 2 minutes).
- Gently fold in the mashed bananas, crushed pineapple, and 1 cup of chopped pecans (if desired). Be careful not to over-mix the batter.
- Divide the batter equally among the prepared cake pans. Smooth the tops with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
- Remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the cream cheese frosting. Beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until creamy and smooth.
- Gradually add the icing sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract until the frosting is smooth and fluffy.
- Once the cakes have cooled completely, place one layer on a serving plate and spread a generous amount of cream cheese frosting on top. Repeat with the remaining layers, stacking them on top of each other.
- Use the remaining cream cheese frosting to frost the sides and top of the cake.
- Decorate with additional chopped pecans, banana slices or fresh flowers for a beautiful finishing touch.
- Allow the cake to set for at least an hour before serving, or refrigerate if desired. This will allow the flavors to meld together, resulting in an even more delicious cake.
©PetersFoodAdventures.com *originally posted October 2018, updated May 2023
