Hummingbird Cake

This is a story about a cake with a funny name. The hummingbird cake recipe does not contain any hummingbirds. The name is a mystery. Some people say the cake is sweet enough to attract the tiny birds. Others say you hum with happiness after one bite. This article answers the question, what is hummingbird cake? We will explore what is in a hummingbird cake and why is it called hummingbird cake. This is one of the most beloved southern recipes for a reason. It is a fantastic choice for your list of cake ideas.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is hummingbird cake?
Hummingbird cake is a classic dessert. It is a spiced cake with bananas, pineapple, and pecans.

What is in a hummingbird cake?
This cake contains mashed bananas, crushed pineapple, vegetable oil, flour, sugar, eggs, cinnamon, and pecans. It has a cream cheese frosting.

What does hummingbird cake taste like?
It tastes like a moist, spiced banana bread with bits of sweet pineapple. The creamy frosting balances the fruit’s sweetness.

Why is it called hummingbird cake?
The name’s origin is unclear. Many believe it is because the cake is very sweet, like the nectar that attracts hummingbirds.

Recipe Essentials:

Prep time
30 minutes

Cook time
30 minutes

Total time
1 hour (plus cooling time)

Servings
12

Nutrition Information

• Serving Size: 1 slice
• Calories: 580
• Total Fat: 29g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Cholesterol: 65mg
• Sodium: 220mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 79g
• Dietary Fiber: 2g
• Sugars: 62g
• Protein: 5g

Kitchen Tools

• Two 9-inch round cake pans
• Large mixing bowl
• Medium mixing bowl
• Electric mixer
• Spatula
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Wire cooling rack

Ingredients

For the Cake

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 large ripe bananas, mashed
• 1 cup crushed pineapple, undrained
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped pecans

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• A small pinch of salt

How to Make a Hummingbird Cake

1. Prepare the Cake

• First, heat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease and flour your two cake pans.
• Take your large bowl. Whisk the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt together. Set this bowl aside.
• Take your medium bowl. Mash the bananas well. Add the eggs, both sugars, and oil. Mix these ingredients until they are combined. Stir in the crushed pineapple and vanilla extract.
• Pour the wet ingredients into the large bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir until the batter is just combined. Do not overmix. Fold in the chopped pecans.
• Divide the batter evenly between your two prepared pans. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then, turn them out onto a wire rack. Let the cakes cool completely before you frost them.

2. Make the Frosting

• Use your electric mixer. Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
• Gradually add the powdered sugar. Beat on low speed at first. Then, increase the speed. Add the vanilla extract and the pinch of salt. Beat until the frosting is fluffy.

3. Assemble the Cake

• Place one cake layer on a plate.
• Spread a thick layer of frosting on top.
• Place the second cake layer on top.
• Frost the top and sides of the entire cake.
• You can decorate the top with extra pecans.

Final Slice

Your Hummingbird Cake is ready. It is a sweet, fruity, and nutty treat. This cake is perfect for parties or a simple dessert. Enjoy this piece of baking history! 😋🍰

Continue to Content

Hummingbird Cake

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Additional Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 2 hours

Incredibly moist and tender dessert, packed with sweet bananas, juicy pineapple, and crunchy pecans. Each forkful is a perfect balance of spiced, fruity flavor and luxuriously creamy cream cheese frosting, making it an utterly irresistible treat you won't be able to resist.

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Ingredients

For the Cake

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 large ripe bananas, mashed
• 1 cup crushed pineapple, undrained
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped pecans

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• A small pinch of salt

Instructions

Make The Cake

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round pans.
2. Whisk flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl.
3. In a separate bowl, mash bananas. Mix in eggs, both sugars, and oil. Stir in pineapple and vanilla.
4. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Stir until just combined. Fold in pecans.
5. Divide batter between pans. Bake 25-30 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
6. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

Make The Frosting

1. Beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth.
2. Gradually add powdered sugar, then vanilla and salt. Beat until fluffy.

Assemble The Cake

1. Place one cake layer on a plate. Spread with frosting.
2. Top with second layer. Frost the top and sides.
3. Decorate with extra pecans.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 580Total Fat: 29gCarbohydrates: 79gSugar: 62gProtein: 5g