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The Best Hummingbird Cake recipe

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Hummingbird Cake is a ‘WOW’ cake that never disappoints. Think Carrot Cake meets Banana Bread and a whole lot more.

Hummingbird Cake title image

If you never thought you could fall in love with a cake, I feel sure Hummingbird Cake will take you there!

The blend of warming flavors, wholesome ingredients and an element of surprise from more mainstream cakes.

Hummingbird Cake is a special three-layer cake is moist, delicious with a unique flavor combination that never disappoints.

It’s perfect for parties, special occasion or just to make any day special!

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What is Hummingbird Cake?

Hummingbird Cake is a perfect marriage between Banana Bread and Carrot Cake flavors.

There is no carrot in the cake but those telltale flavors of cream cheese, nuts and ground cinnamon shine through with familiarity.

Pair that with banana cake with some tropical flavor from fresh crushed pineapple.

This moist cake has plenty of chopped pecans in the cream cheese frosting on the top of the cake and sides of the cake too!

Hummingbird Cake is lighter than carrot cake, almost crumbly (though still moist) with the distinct (though not overpowering) flavor of banana.

It has a Cream Cheese Pecan frosting which is irresistible and a perfect complement to the banana and pineapple flavors in the cake.

Why You Should Make THIS Recipe!

I love easy recipes and shortcuts so looking at a recipe this length would normally scare me off.

Here is why you should make this best Hummingbird Cake recipe:

  • Though the recipe is long, it’s not hard to make
  • It’s a unique cake that never disappoints (check the reader comments below for proof)
  • This Hummingbird Cake recipe can be made either with traditional or gluten-free flour
  • This Hummingbird Cake has a few unique ingredients (but not hard to find) that make it truly special
Whole Hummingbird Cake

What is the Origin of Hummingbird Cake?

The origins are from the United States south. Its true roots are from Jamaica where the Hummingbird is the national bird!

A Secret Ingredient!

Banana is a key ingredient in Hummingbird Cake. This recipe uses roasted banana.

This is a trick I learned from a chef years ago when recreating his Banana Pudding: fresh bananas are roasted in the peel.

The bananas are baked in the oven and will have black peels after roasting.

After roasting the bananas are sliced open and the roasted banana used in this classic Hummingbird cake recipe.

The banana flavor deepens and caramelizes while they roasts.

The bananas have a rich flavor different from regular fresh or overripe bananas.

Trust me, it’s a step worth taking!

Slice of Hummingbird Cake with fork

PRO TIP: Use Fresh Pineapple!

The recipe calls for fresh pineapple that will be crushed. Don’t replace this with canned pineapple!

The reason is that canned pineapple has a much higher amount of moisture and the structure of the pineapple itself is different from being canned.

The flavor is much better with fresh pineapple as well as it won’t add too much moisture and change how the cake bakes.

TIMESAVING TIP: buy fresh pineapple chunks in the grocery store produce or prepared foods section.

You will still need to crush it at home but it will save the time of peeling and coring a whole fresh pineapple.

Hummingbird Cake with slice removed

A Note About the Cream Cheese Frosting

The Hummingbird Cake has a wonderful cream cheese pecan frosting that adds a sweet, tangy, nutty finish to this delicious cake.

The recipe makes enough frosting to lightly frost between the layers.

Though visually more might seem better, the flavors are perfectly balanced.

To me it has the look and taste of a cool weather cake; light cinnamon, roasted bananas and the cream cheese frosting. No frosting overload.

Make it A Day Early!

For best flavor make the Hummingbird Cake a day before serving!

Partial Hummingbird Cake

How to Make Hummingbird Cake – Step-by-Step

Though there are a number steps for this recipe, they are not difficult.

And once you have a bite of the cake, you’ll be making it for all special occasions!

If you’d like to print the recipe refer to the detailed recipe card at the end of the post!

How to Roast the Bananas

STEP 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

STEP 2: Place bananas on a cookie sheet with peels left on. Bake in the oven for 12 minutes until the skins are black (see below).

Roasted Bananas collage

STEP 3: After cooling slightly to handle, peel bananas, place in a small mixing bowl and mash (photo 1).

Making the Cake

STEP 1: Butter and flour 3-9 inch round baking pans. Trace the bottom of the pan (for all three pans) onto parchment paper, cut out circle and place in the bottom of each pan.

Hummingbird Cake process photos collage 1

STEP 2: In a sifter over a large mixing bowl combine the flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt (photo 2; ingredients pre-sifting). Sift into the large bowl (photo 3; after sifting).

STEP 3: In a second large mixing bowl combine the granulated and brown sugar; stir to combine (photo 4; ingredients for next steps).

STEP 4: Add the eggs and stir briskly by hand to combine all ingredients into a smooth mixture .

STEP 5: Whisk the oil and vanilla into the sugar/egg mixture until combined and smooth (shown in photo 5 post mixing).

STEP 6: Add the flour mixture (dry ingredients) all at once to the wet ingredients and hand stir (do not beat) to combine the mixture fully.

STEP 7: Crush the fresh pineapple and add the fruit and juice to the batter.

STEP 8: Also add the mashed bananas and the pecans. Stir just until combined; do not over stir (final batter photo 6).

Hummingbird Cake process photos collage 2

STEP 9: Divide the cake batter evenly between the three prepared pans. Place in the 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes until cake bounces back to the touch or a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

STEP 10: Allow to cool in pans on wire racks for 5 minutes then turn out onto cooling wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

Preparing the Frosting 

STEP 1: Prepare the cream cheese and pecan frosting (photo 7; frosting ingredients).

STEP 2: Follow the instruction in the recipe card to assemble and frost the cake.

STEP 3: Allow cake to stand at room temperature 30 minutes before serving (photo 8).

PRO TIP: Cake best when made the day prior to serving!

Supplies & Tools for Making this Cake Recipe

Most of the items needed for this recipe are things you probably already have!

Slice of Hummingbird Cake overhead

How To Store Hummingbird Cake

Hummingbird Cake should be stored in the refrigerator due to the cream cheese frosting.

It may be stored in the refrigerator for 5-6 days (or may be frozen).

Store it in an airtight cake container and take it out 1 hour before serving to allow it to warm to room temperature for best flavor.

Can Hummingbird Cake be Frozen?

YES! It can be kept in the freezer for 4-6 months.

The BEST way to freeze it:

Clear space in your freezer and place the cake, unwrapped in the freezer to full freeze (about 4 hours).

When the cake is frozen, wrap it well with plastic wrap followed by foil.

This will ensure it is well enclosed so it will not dry out.

When ready to eat it, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature (providing it isn’t too hot).

Slice of Hummingbird Cake on white plate

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Recipe

The Best Hummingbird Cake recipe. Think Carrot Cake meets Banana Bread in flavor. The most popular recipe on my website for good reason!.. - BoulderLocavore.com

The Best Hummingbird Cake

This cake is a fantastic combination of banana bread and carrot cake (sans the carrots) with a touch of pineapple! This recipe never disappoints and delivers a special treat for any occasion.
5 from 71 votes
Print Save Recipe Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: hummingbird cake
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 555kcal
Author: Toni Dash

Ingredients

Cake

  • 3 cups All Purpose Flour regular or gluten-free measure-for-measure flour blend
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 3 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup fresh pineapple crushed (see below)
  • 2 cups roasted bananas* mashed (approximately 4 large or 6 medium-small bananas with peel left on; instructions below)
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • Parchment paper to line bottom of the cake pan

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 1 ½ sticks (12 tablespoons) unsalted butter chilled
  • 3 8-ounce packages cream cheese chilled
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups powdered/ Confectioners sugar sifted
  • 1 ½ cups finely chopped pecans

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

How to Roast Bananas

  • Place bananas on a cookie sheet with peels left on. Bake in the oven for 12 minutes until the skins are black (the bananas may leak which is fine). NOTE: Leave the oven heated to 350 degrees.
  • Remove and let cool until they can be handled. Peel bananas, place in a small mixing bowl and mash. Set aside. 
  • Peel bananas, place in a small mixing bowl and mash. Set aside. 

Making the Hummingbird Cake

  • Butter and flour 3 9-inch round baking pans.
  • Trace the bottom of the pan (for all three pans) onto parchment paper, cut out circle and place in the bottom of each pan.
  • Using a sifter over a large mixing bowl combine the flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. Sift into the bowl. Set aside.
  • In a second large mixing bowl combine the granulated and brown sugar; stir to combine. 
  • Add the eggs and stir briskly by hand to combine all ingredients into a smooth mixture.
  • Whisk the oil and vanilla into the sugar/egg mixture until combined and smooth.
  • Add the flour mixture all at once and hand stir (do not beat) to combine the mixture fully.
  • To crush the pineapple: Place 1 cup of finely diced fresh pineapple in a medium mixing bowl and using a potato masher, crush the pineapple. 
  • Add the crushed pineapple fruit and juice to the batter. 
  • Add the mashed banana and the pecans. Stir just until combined; do not over stir.
  • Divide the batter evenly between the three pans. Tap the pans on the countertop to release any air bubbles and place in the 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes until cake bounces back to the touch and a toothpick inserted in the cake comes out clean.
  • Allow to cool in pans on racks for 5 minutes then turn out onto cooling racks to fully cool before frosting. NOTE: Be sure to peel off and discard the parchment paper.

Instructions for Cream Cheese Frosting

  • Cut sticks of chilled butter into 1 inch pieces and place in the bowl of a standing mixer (can use a hand held mixer if needed). Beat on low speed, gradually increasing speed to medium until the butter is still cool but has softened together (about 3 minutes).
  • Cut the cream cheese into 1 inch strips and add to the butter. Mix at medium speed until fully combined, and smooth.
  • Add the vanilla and slowly add the sifted powdered Confectioners sugar. Beat until well blended, increasing speed to beat on medium-high for 3 minutes or until the frosting becomes light and fluffy.
  • Fold in pecans by hand.

Instructions for Cake Assembly

  • Place the first layer of cake upside down (the bottom of the cake will be frosted) on the serving plate. Cover with 2/3 cup of frosting. This will be a thin covering.
  • Place the second layer of cake right side up (flat cake bottom onto the frosting) and frost the top of this layer with 2/3 cup again (note: I found I needed just a bit more to cover this layer).
  • Place the last cake layer with cake right side up and use the remaining frosting to cover top of cake and the sides.
  • Allow cake to stand at room temperature 30 minutes before serving and store any uneaten cake in the refrigerator. Cake best when made the day prior to serving!

Video

Notes

We’ve only made this cake recipe as written however are often asked how to make it in a different form. To convert the cake into a different size this guide may be helpful: https://www.allrecipes.com/article/cake-pan-size-conversions/

Adapted from Country Home magazine (2008)

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 555kcal | Carbohydrates: 87g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 330mg | Potassium: 319mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 56g | Vitamin A: 200IU | Vitamin C: 10.1mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 2.5mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @boulderlocavore or tag #boulderlocavore!

Originally published: January 29, 2012

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

TONI DASH
Toni Dash head shot

Toni Dash, is the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of Boulder Locavore®. She has been developing easy to make, well-tested recipes since 2010. Her seasonal recipes bring excitement to the dining table for both gluten-free and gluten diners. Toni has been featured in numerous publications and on culinary websites for her creative, delicious recipes and travel features. For more details, check out her About page.

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Sandy Croft says

    Have you used this recipe to make cupcakes? If so , what temperature do you bake at, and fir how long?
    Thank you

    Reply

    • Toni Dash says

      I have not Sandy but I’d look through the comments. Many readers have converted the recipe over the years. Maybe there is some guidance there?

      Reply

  2. Pauline says

    5 stars
    What a cake so good I will bake it again and and again

    Reply

    • Toni Dash says

      I’m so glad Pauline! It’s a favorite here too.

      Reply

  3. Kristin says

    I entered a cake I made with this recipe into a church bake-off and won 1st place!

    Reply

    • Toni Dash says

      Woo hoo! Congratulations! Please send your new admirers here for the recipe too!

      Reply
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