Hummingbird cake is a delicious and popular dessert that originated in the southern United States. It is a type of spiced cake that typically contains a combination of ripe bananas, crushed pineapple, chopped pecans or walnuts, and a blend of warm spices like cinnamon. The cake is moist and dense, similar in texture to a carrot cake.
Hummingbird Cake
6
servings50
minutes30
minutesThe name “hummingbird cake” is said to have originated from the bird of the same name, as it is thought to be sweet enough to attract hummingbirds. The cake is known for its rich flavor and tropical undertones, thanks to the use of bananas and pineapple.
While there are variations of the recipe, a typical hummingbird cake usually includes ingredients like:
Ingredients
- Cake
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup vegetable oil
1 and 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 and 1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3-4 bananas)
1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- Cream Cheese Frosting
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans, or you can use parchment paper to line the bottoms for easier removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt.
- In another bowl, mix together the lightly beaten eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
- Fold in the mashed bananas, crushed pineapple, and chopped pecans or walnuts. The batter should be well mixed but avoid overmixing.
- Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cake pans.
- Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.
- While the cakes are cooling, prepare the cream cheese frosting.
- For the cream cheese frosting, beat the softened cream cheese and softened butter together in a mixing bowl until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing well after each addition.
- Stir in the vanilla extract until fully combined.
- Once the cakes are completely cooled, assemble the hummingbird cake by spreading a layer of cream cheese frosting between each layer of cake and on top.
- Optionally, you can decorate the top of the cake with additional chopped pecans or walnuts for added texture and presentation.
- Serve and enjoy this delightful and delicious hummingbird cake!