Hummingbird Cake Recipe

When it comes to show-stopping cakes with an old-fashioned Southern charm, nothing beats a slice of homemade Hummingbird Cake. Brimming with the tropical flavors of ripe bananas and pineapple, and finished with a dreamy cream cheese frosting, this cake is irresistibly moist, nutty, and fragrant—a true celebration in every bite!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Don’t let the charming, layered look fool you—Hummingbird Cake relies on pantry staples and everyday ingredients that work together to create a show-stopping dessert. Each one brings something special, whether it’s warmth, texture, or delightful tropical flavor.

• Pecans (chopped and toasted): Add crunch and a nutty undertone; toasting them deepens their flavor.
• All-purpose flour: The backbone of the cake, gives structure while keeping the crumb tender.
• Baking powder & baking soda: Partner together to make the cake rise beautifully, ensuring a light texture.
• Ground cinnamon & allspice: These spices give the cake its signature warmth and coziness.
• Salt: Brightens and balances all the sweet, fruity, and nutty notes.
• Mashed bananas: Bring intense moisture and natural sweetness, plus a lovely floral aroma.
• Crushed pineapple (with juice): Infuses the cake with subtle tang and tropical juiciness.
• Eggs: Help bind everything together and add richness.
• Vegetable oil: Keeps the crumb supremely moist—so much better than butter for this style of cake!
• Brown & granulated sugars: Add depth, caramel notes, and sweetness in perfect balance.
• Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors and enhances the cake’s aromatic qualities.
• Cream cheese & unsalted butter (for frosting): Combine to make that classic, luscious frosting everyone loves.
• Confectioners’ sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes the cream cheese frosting.
• Pinch of salt (for frosting): Keeps the frosting from tasting overly sweet, so every bite is balanced.

Variations

This classic Hummingbird Cake welcomes creative swaps and adjustments so you can truly make it your own. Whether you’re baking for special diets or just want to experiment, there’s plenty of room to play without sacrificing that signature flavor.

• No Nuts: Allergic to pecans? Simply leave them out, or swap in coconut flakes for a similar texture and a new layer of flavor.
• Cupcakes: Pour the batter into cupcake tins for bake sale-ready treats—just adjust your baking time.
• Bundt or Sheet Cake: Skip the layers and bake as a bundt or sheet cake for a rustic, crowd-friendly version.
• Dairy-Free: Use a plant-based cream cheese and butter in the frosting for a dairy-free celebration cake.

How to Make Hummingbird Cake

Step 1: Toast the Pecans

Start by preheating your oven and giving your chopped pecans a quick toast. Spread them in a single layer and let their flavor intensify for about 7–8 minutes. Nothing compares to the heavenly, nutty aroma that fills your kitchen! Let them cool before you add them to the batter—this prevents steam and keeps the nuts delightfully crisp.

Step 2: Prepare Cake Pans & Mix Dry Ingredients

Turn the oven up, line and grease your cake pans, and then whisk together all the dry ingredients: flour, leaveners, spices, and salt. This step ensures the spices are evenly distributed, giving every bite balanced flavor and lift.

Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In another bowl, whisk together the mashed bananas, undrained crushed pineapple, eggs, oil, both sugars, and vanilla extract. The combination of fruit, oil, and sugar guarantees a rich, moist, and flavorful cake crumb.

Step 4: Combine & Add Pecans

Pour your wet ingredients into the bowl of dry and whisk just until you see no more streaks of flour. Fold in a generous handful of the toasted pecans, reserving the rest for garnish. The batter will be thick and fragrant—pure anticipation!

Step 5: Bake, Cool & Level

Divide the luscious batter between your three prepared pans and bake until a toothpick comes out clean. After a brief stay on a cooling rack, remove the cakes from the pans and use a serrated knife to level each—this gives you gorgeous, flat layers for stacking (and treats you to a little baker’s snack with the trimmed tops!).

Step 6: Make Cream Cheese Frosting

With an electric mixer, blend your cream cheese and butter until ultra-smooth, then gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. The result? A pillowy, tangy-sweet frosting that you’ll want to lick right off the beaters.

Step 7: Assemble & Decorate

Stack your cake layers, spreading plenty of frosting between each. Once layered, swathe the whole cake in more frosting so it’s completely covered, then shower the top and sides with the rest of your toasted pecans. A short chill in the fridge helps set the cake for neat, beautiful slices.

How to Serve Hummingbird Cake

Garnishes

I love to scatter extra toasted pecans over the top for a rustic, bakery-style finish. For celebrations, you can pipe extra swirls of frosting or sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon for a pretty contrast. Even a few edible flowers make this cake look like a centerpiece straight from the South!

Side Dishes

This rich and moist Hummingbird Cake pairs perfectly with something light. Fresh berries, a fruit salad, or a dollop of barely-sweetened whipped cream make wonderful accompaniments. Offer cold milk or hot coffee alongside—trust me, every guest will swoon.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, bake as cupcakes and frost each generously with cream cheese frosting and a sprinkle of nuts. Or, make a naked-style layer cake for modern flair—let the golden, nut-flecked sides show. Mini cakes or cake jars are delightful for parties or edible gifts!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Cover any leftover cake tightly and refrigerate for up to 5 days. The flavors deepen wonderfully as it sits—and a chilled slice is especially divine with a cup of hot tea or coffee.

Freezing

Hummingbird Cake freezes beautifully! You can freeze the unfrosted or fully frosted cake (well wrapped) for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving, and let it come to room temperature for ultimate softness.

Reheating

If you’d like, you can gently bring slices to room temperature or microwave for a few seconds to take the chill off—just be careful not to overheat, as the frosting melts quickly. Each bite will still taste just as fresh as the day it was baked.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving a cake that feels like a warm hug and tastes even better the next day, you have to try this Hummingbird Cake recipe. I promise—every slice is pure joy, and you’ll love sharing it with friends and family. Happy baking!

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