“Sweet Hummingbird Cake” is a classic Southern dessert known for its moistness, rich flavor, and fruity ingredients. This cake traditionally combines ripe bananas, crushed pineapple, and chopped pecans, creating a unique and delightful texture and taste. The cake is typically spiced with cinnamon, adding a warm, inviting aroma. It’s often layered and generously frosted with a smooth, creamy cheese frosting, which complements the cake’s fruity sweetness. The finished cake may be garnished with additional pecans or pineapple for decorative appeal and a hint of extra flavor. Hummingbird Cake is known for its dense, moist crumb and is a popular choice for celebrations and gatherings, offering a sweet and comforting experience.
INGREDIENTS
3 cups flour
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup light brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
3 eggs, lightly beaten
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 ripe bananas, chopped
1 cup vegetable oil
1 (8 oz.) can crushed pineapple, with juice
1 cup chopped pecans
Frosting:
4 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese, room temperature
4-6 cups confectioner’s sugar
2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Whole pecans for decoration
PREPARATION
Preheat oven to 350º F and lightly grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
In a large bowl, mix together the wet ingredients (eggs, vanilla, banana, oil and pineapple) until creamy.
In a separate bowl, combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking soda and salt, then slowly add mixture into the wet ingredients. Fold in pecans until just combined.
Pour batter evenly into greased cake pans and place in oven. Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool for 10-15 minutes in the pan before removing cake from pan onto a wire rack.
As the cake cools, begin mixing the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla in a large bowl or mixer. Gradually add in the confectioners sugar. Mix until the frosting is smooth and creamy.
Take one of the two cooled cakes and set it on a cutting board, along with a long piece of unwaxed, unflavored dental floss. Wrap the dental floss around the middle of the cake, then cross the two ends and pull. Insert a spatula between the two layers to separate.
Transfer the first tier onto a cake platter and apply a layer of frosting. Repeat this process until all four layers are stacked. Use remaining frosting to cover the top and sides of your cake.
Decorate cake using whole or chopped pecans.
