Description
This Hummingbird Cake recipe is a Southern classic loaded with bananas, pineapple, spices, and pecans, all topped with a decadent cream cheese frosting. Perfect for any celebration or gathering!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Cake:
- 2 cups (250g) chopped pecans
- 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 and 1/2 cups (345g) mashed bananas (about 3 large ripe bananas)
- 8 ounce can crushed pineapple (do not drain)
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 cup (240ml) vegetable oil
- 3/4 cup (150g) packed light or dark brown sugar
- 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 16 ounces (452g) full-fat brick cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 4 cups (480g) confectioners’ sugar
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- pinch of salt, to taste
Instructions
- Toast the pecans: Preheat oven to 300°F (149°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Spread the chopped pecans on the sheet and toast for 7–8 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10–15 minutes.
- Make the cake: Whisk the dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Whisk the rest of the cake ingredients in a separate bowl. Combine wet and dry ingredients, fold in toasted pecans, then divide and bake in cake pans.
- Make the frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter, then add sugar, vanilla, and salt. Frost the cooled cakes.
- Assemble and frost: Layer and frost the cakes, decorating with remaining toasted pecans. Refrigerate before slicing.
Notes
- Make Ahead Instructions: Prepare cakes and frosting 1 day in advance. Keep cakes at room temperature, covered tightly. Refrigerate prepared frosting in an airtight container. Frosted or unfrosted cakes may be frozen up to 2 months, thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- Pecans: You can leave out pecans if needed. Stirring in 1 cup of sweetened shredded coconut is a good alternative.
- Frozen Bananas: Thawed bananas can be used; drain excess liquid before mashing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 40g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
