Homemade Hummingbird Cake Recipe

Delicious Homemade Hummingbird Cake Recipe: A Tropical Treat with Cream Cheese Frosting

This traditional Southern hummingbird cake is a tasty and moist treat with tropical flavors. It has bananas, pineapple, and pecans, and a rich cream cheese frosting. You'll want to make this cake over and over!

WHY THIS RECIPE IS GREAT

This yummy hummingbird cake is everything a delicious cake should be - moist, fluffy, and full of flavor. Mashed banana and pineapple make it flavorful and tropical, and the cream cheese frosting adds a luxurious touch.

Hummingbird cake, also called Doctor bird cake, is a classic with a texture like banana bread and the look of carrot cake. Originating from Jamaica, it became a Southern favorite!

It's an easy recipe, perfect for home cooks. Most ingredients are likely in your pantry, and you just mix them in a bowl and bake - easy as that.

Not only is it simple, but it's also a great way to use up overripe bananas. Overall, this hummingbird cake is an excellent choice for celebrations or just to enjoy at home with tea.

COMMON QUESTIONS:

WHY IS MY CAKE DENSE?

This might happen if you overmix the batter or use too little leavener. Mix until ingredients are just combined, and use the right amount of baking soda or baking powder as per the recipe.

CAN I USE SELF-RISING FLOUR?

No, it's best to use all-purpose flour and leavening agents. Using self-rising flour will make the cake rise too quickly and then collapse while cooling.

STORING AND REHEATING

You can store your decorated hummingbird cake in three ways:

Room temperature - Keep it in a cake container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Refrigerating - For longer storage, loosely cover the cake with aluminum foil and refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Freezing - Freeze the cake on a baking sheet until solid, then wrap it in plastic and place it in a box for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

 Homemade Hummingbird Cake Recipe

Preparation Time: 1 hour
Cooking Time: 40 minutes
Resting Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes

Course: Baking, Cake
Cuisine: American
Servings: 15
Calories: 704 kcal

Ingredients:

For the Cake

• 3 cups All-purpose flour
• 2 cups Granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon Baking soda
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 3 large Eggs (beaten)
• 1¼ cups Vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons Vanilla extract
• 8 ounces Crushed pineapple with juice
• 1¾ cups Mashed bananas (about 4-5 ripe bananas)
• 1 cup Pecans (chopped, optional)

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

• 2 cups Unsalted butter (room temperature)
• 16 ounces Cream cheese (room temperature)
• 8 cups Confectioner's sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 4 teaspoons Pineapple juice
• 4 teaspoons Vanilla extract
• ¼ cup Pecans (finely chopped for garnish)

Instructions:

For the Cake

1. In a big bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.
2. Add beaten eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla, crushed pineapple with juice, mashed bananas, and chopped pecans. Mix until it becomes a thick and combined batter.
3. Divide the batter evenly into prepared cake pans and bake in a preheated oven for 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
4. Let the hummingbird cake cool completely at room temperature while preparing the frosting.

For the Frosting

1. In a stand mixer, beat butter and softened cream cheese on high speed until it thickens and becomes fluffy.
2. Reduce speed, gradually add powdered sugar, then increase speed and pour in pineapple juice and vanilla. Whip until you have a smooth, thick, and fluffy frosting.

Assembling

1. If you want 4 layers, cut each cooled cake in half; otherwise, proceed with 2 layers.
2. Place the first layer on a cake stand, spread a layer of frosting.
3. Add the next layer, spread frosting, and repeat until all 4 layers are frosted.
4. Spread frosting on the outside of the entire cake until fully covered.
5. Sprinkle chopped pecans on top and around the sides of the hummingbird cake.
6. Slice, serve, and enjoy!