Description
Delightful hummingbird cake celebrates Southern baking traditions with bananas, pineapple, and pecans. Cream cheese frosting crowns this moist, flavorful dessert you’ll savor with pure culinary joy.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups (710 ml) all-purpose flour
- 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
- 1 ½ cups (340 g) mashed ripe bananas (about 3 large bananas)
- 1 (8 oz/227 g) can crushed pineapple with juice
- 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 cup (240 ml) vegetable oil
- 1 cup (100 g) chopped pecans (plus extra for garnish)
- 8 oz (227 g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (1 stick/113 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups (480 g) powdered sugar
- 1 ½ tsps vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350F (175C) and meticulously coat three round cake pans with grease to prevent adherence.
- Dry Ingredient Fusion: Combine flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl, whisking until thoroughly blended.
- Batter Creation: Blend eggs, oil, and vanilla extract into the dry mixture. Fold in crushed pineapple with its juices, mashed bananas, and chopped pecans, stirring minimally to preserve the cake’s delicate structure.
- Baking Process: Evenly distribute batter across prepared pans and bake for 25-30 minutes. Test for completion by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge pristine and dry.
- Cooling and Layer Release: Rest cake layers in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Allow complete temperature reduction before frosting.
- Frosting Preparation: Whip cream cheese and butter until silky. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar, creating a light, fluffy consistency. Enhance with vanilla extract for nuanced flavor.
- Cake Assembly: Position first layer on a serving plate. Spread frosting between layers, ensuring comprehensive coverage. Coat entire cake with remaining frosting for a smooth finish.
- Decorative Touches: Optionally garnish with additional pecans, banana slices, or pineapple chunks to elevate visual and textural appeal.
- Final Refinement: Refrigerate assembled cake for 30 minutes to set frosting. Serve at room temperature to maximize flavor complexity and enjoyment.
Notes
- Optimize Ingredient Temperature: Bring eggs, cream cheese, and butter to room temperature before mixing to ensure smooth, lump-free batter and frosting.
- Control Moisture Balance: Drain pineapple chunks thoroughly to prevent excess liquid from making the cake soggy or dense.
- Prevent Over-Mixing: Fold ingredients gently and minimally to maintain the cake’s tender, light texture and avoid developing tough gluten strands.
- Customize for Dietary Needs: Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free blend, use coconut oil instead of vegetable oil, and replace pecans with seeds for allergen-friendly variations.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 47 g
- Sodium: 305 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 64 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg