Hummingbird Cake

This signature Southern dessert is composed of a supremely moist banana-pineapple cake dressed in a luscious cream cheese frosting. It’s spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, and studded with pecans. One bite of this classic hummingbird cake and you’ll be in sweet heaven!

I’m celebrating a big milestone birthday this weekend. It’s my “forty & fabulous” birthday! So I’m celebrating a fabulous birthday with a fabulous cake.

The cake itself is very similar to a banana bread. It’s delightfully moist, flavorful and dense. It has sweet chunks of pineapples and nutty pecans throughout the cake. The crunchy texture of the pecans gives a nice contrast to the softness of the cake. The tropical fruit flavor of the pineapples along with the spices and warm flavor of the brown sugar makes this dessert suited for all year round. And the thick layer of cream cheese frosting gives this hummingbird cake a perfect  sweet creaminess.

5 from 4 reviews

Hummingbird Cake

Yield: 16 servings

Prep: 15 minutes mins

Cook: 45 minutes mins

Total: 1 hour hr

Author: Lily Ernst

Course: Dessert

Method: Bake

This signature Southern dessert is composed of a supremely moist banana-pineapple cake dressed in a luscious cream cheese frosting.

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Ingredients

Cake

• ▢ 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour
• ▢ 1 tsp baking soda
• ▢ 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ▢ 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• ▢ 1/2 tsp salt
• ▢ 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• ▢ 1 cup (200g) lighlty packed brown sugar
• ▢ 1 & 1/4 cups (300ml) vegetable oil
• ▢ 3 large eggs
• ▢ 2 tsp vanilla extract
• ▢ 2 cups (500g) mashed very ripe bananas
• ▢ 8 oz (1 can) crushed pineapples, drained
• ▢ 1 cup (125g) chopped pecans

Frosting

• ▢ 1/2 cup (114g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• ▢ 16 oz (2 pkgs) cream cheese, room temperature
• ▢ 2 tsp vanilla extract
• ▢ 1/4 tsp salt
• ▢ 5-6 cups powdered sugar

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Instructions

 

Cake

• Preheat oven to 350F. Butter and flour two 9" round cake pans.
• Sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Set aside.
  3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, 1/2 tsp salt
• Using a stand mixer with paddle attachment or handheld mixer, beat both sugars and oil for 2-3 minutes until smooth.
  1 cup (200g) granulated sugar, 1 cup (200g) lighlty packed brown sugar, 1 & 1/4 cups (300ml) vegetable oil
• Add in the eggs one at a time, mixing well in between, then mix for 2 minutes until light and fluffy.
  3 large eggs
• Mix in the vanilla, bananas and pineapples until just combined.
  2 tsp vanilla extract, 2 cups (500g) mashed very ripe bananas, 8 oz (1 can) crushed pineapples
• On low speed, add the dry ingredients in thirds, beating until just combined. Fold in the pecans.
  1 cup (125g) chopped pecans
• Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans. Tap the pans firmly on the countertop to remove any air bubbles from the batter.
• Bake for 40-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.  Cool completely before frosting.

Frosting

• Using a stand mixer with paddle attachment or handheld mixer, beat the butter, cream cheese, vanilla and salt until smooth and creamy (3-5 minutes).
  1/2 cup (114g) unsalted butter, 16 oz (2 pkgs) cream cheese, 2 tsp vanilla extract, 1/4 tsp salt
• Slowly add in the powdered sugar, beating until light and fluffy (5-7 minutes).
  5-6 cups powdered sugar
• When ready to assemble, level the tops of the cakes with a serrated knife. Place one layer cut side down on a serving plate. Spread one third of the frosting on top. Place the other layer cut side down on top and spread the remaining frosting all over the cake.
• Refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up the cake to make it easier to slice.

Notes

Leftover cake can be covered and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Calories: 653kcal, Carbohydrates: 93g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 29g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 12g, Monounsaturated Fat: 8g, Trans Fat: 0.4g, Cholesterol: 49mg, Sodium: 395mg, Potassium: 280mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 69g, Vitamin A: 267IU, Vitamin C: 9mg, Calcium: 130mg, Iron: 2mg

Did you make this recipe?Tag @littlesweetbaker on Instagram and hashtag it #littlesweetbaker.

Recipe from The Back in the Day Bakery Cookbook.

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