Almost hummingbird cake

It is finally spring, and we are ready for it over here. And with it comes the time of year for my very favorite, absolute best take on a Hummingbird cake. It is one of my all-time favorite cakes and sure to be one of your favorites too.

What is Hummingbird cake anyway?

Hummingbird cake is a Southern cake made with pineapple, banana and nuts (I use pecans). Additionally a quick google search and you will find that the cake likely originated in Jamaica in the 1960s (the ingredients would suggest this is true). The first printed recipe in the U.S. was in Southern Living in the late 70s. Google also informs us that the cake is named for the hummingbird because it is sweet enough to attract one – how cute.

So what makes this ALMOST hummingbird cake?

A small addition that, I think, elevates this cake is coconut. Also coconut is a total compliment to the pineapple and the banana. Maybe I should call this a tropical cake instead, but to me it is almost hummingbird cake. In fact so much so, that when I managed a bake shop this was our for our Hummingbird cake.

Like all of my cake recipes (pretty much) this is an oil-based cake. There is more fruit than flour in this cake, and let me tell you, that is not a bad thing. This cake is super moist. Also the crushed pineapple gets added with all of its glorious juices and super ripe bananas make for a moist, nicely sweet cake.

Tips for the best hummingbird cake recipe.

• Toast the pecans. I promise you that you will not regret it. Extra tip…you should always be toasting your nuts when baking with them, it makes a bigger difference than you think.
• Add some cinnamon. Humming bird cake is really like a great banana bread turned into a cake, and it needs some spice. Cinnamon is warm and just mellow enough to be the perfect compliment.
• Use unsweetened coconut. This cake is sweet enough, and the addition of coconut is to taste the coconut, not add extra sugar. I use large flaked unsweetened toasted coconut to garnish this cake too.
• Don’t leave out the sour cream. This takes the place of milk or buttermilk in a traditional cake recipe.

What about the frosting?

Oh the frosting! A whipped cream cheese frosting – basically a cream cheese frosting, but folded with whipped cream, making it lighter and oh so amazing. This is the traditional frosting for a hummingbird cake. And tbh, I don’t know why it isn’t the traditional frosting for pretty much every cake ever.

To me, this cake screams spring, and is a great addition to your Easter dessert table. Similar to carrot cake, the quintessential spring cake, in texture, but not quite the same. a little better dare I say…

Give it a try and let me know what you think.

Print

Almost hummingbird cake

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

For the cake

• 3 cups of flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 3-4 very ripe bananas smashed, if small use four
• 1 cup crushed pineapple undrained
• 1 cup pecans
• 3/4 unsweetened shredded coconut
• 2 cups of sugar
• 1 cup + 2 tablespoons oil
• 3/4 cup sour cream
• 3 eggs

For the frosting

• 1/2 stick of butter
• 1 package of cream cheese 8 ounces to be exact
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla
• 3 cups of powdered sugar
• pinch of salt
• 1 cup heavy cream

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350. Grease and flour three 8-inch cake pans. YOu can use two 9-or 10-inch if you like and if you prefer a two layer instead of a three layer cake.
2. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon together.
3. In a large bowl, combine the mashed bananas, pineapple, coconut, pecans and sour cream. Stir together to combine.
4. Beat oil, sugar and eggs with a stand mixer (or hand mixer) with a paddle attachment for six minutes until fully incorporated and very light and fluffy. Add the wet ingredients to the oil and egg mixture and beat until combined. Add the flour mixture and beat on low speed until just combined.
5. Divide batter as evenly as you can between the three pans. Bake for about 30 minutes. The toothpick test works best for determining doneness. Let cool in pans for about five minutes and then remove from pans and cool completely on a cooling rack.
6. To make the frosting, with a stand mixer (or a hand mixer), using the whisk attachment, beat the cream until medium peaks firm and it has becomes whipped cream. Spoon the whipped cream out into a separate bowl and set aside. In the same bowl you beat the whipped cream, beat the cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy, about six minutes. Turn the mixer off and add the powdered sugar. Turn the mixer on LOW SPEED (or you will have a powdered sugar snowstorm in your kitchen), and whip the powdered sugar in. Once combined, turn mixer to high again and continue to beat until light and fluffy. Add a pinch of salt and the vanilla and eat to combine. With a rubber spatula, fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until filly incorporated. Don't be rough with it, you want to keep all that air in the frosting to keep it light.
7. Place one of the cake layers on a cake plate and cover the top of the cake with a big scoop of the frosting and spread evenly. Top with another cake layer and repeat with the frosting. Top with the remaining cake layer and frost the cake top and sides with the remaining frosting.

Recipe Notes

Garnish with toasted coconut and/or pecans if you like.

Like these flavors? Check out my best banana bread ever!