Servings
Font
Back
Hummingbird Cake Recipe
5 from 100 votes

Hummingbird Cake Recipe

Hummingbird Cake is a moist, spiced layer cake featuring mashed bananas, crushed pineapple, and chopped pecans mixed into a batter sweetened with brown and granulated sugar. The cake layers are topped with a smooth cream cheese frosting flavored with vanilla and a pinch of salt.

Prep Time
45 mins
Cook Time
35 mins
Total Time
1 hr 20 mins
Servings: 12 slices
Calories: 834 kcal
Course: Dessert, Cake
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup butter softened to room temperature, unsalted
  • ¾ cup neutral cooking oil I use avocado oil, but canola or vegetable will work just fine
  • 1 cup light brown sugar firmly packed, or dark brown sugar
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large egg lightly beaten (room temperature preferred
  • 2 cups banana this is was about 4 bananas for me, mashed, over-ripe
  • 1 oz pineapple do not drain, crushed, canned
  • 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup pecans see note, chopped
CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
  • ½ cup butter softened, unsalted
  • 8 oz cream cheese don't use the spreadable cream cheese sold in tubs, softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 4 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and lightly grease and flour the sides and bottoms of two 8" or 9" pans. I also recommend using a cut-out round of parchment paper to line the bottom to prevent sticking.
  2. Combine butter, oil, and sugars in a large bowl and use an electric mixer (or a stand mixer) to beat together until creamy and well-combined.
  3. Add eggs and stir to combine.
  4. Add bananas, crushed (undrained) pineapple, and vanilla extract and stir well.
  5. In a separate, medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt until thoroughly combined.
  6. Using a spatula (don't use an electric mixer for this step) gradually begin to fold dry ingredients into wet. Once about half the flour mixture has been added, add the pecans and stir them in as well. Stir until completely combined, but don't over-mix the batter or you could end up with a dry cake.
  7. Evenly divide cake batter into prepared baking pans. Transfer to center rack of 350F (175C) oven and bake for about 39 minutes if using 8" pans and about 34 minutes if using 9" pans or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or preferably with a few moist crumbs.
  8. Allow to cool for 10 minutes in baking pan then run a knife around the inside of the pan to loosen cake and carefully invert onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
  9. Once cooled completely, prepare cream cheese frosting.
Cream cheese frosting
  1. Combine butter and cream cheese in a large bowl (or in the bowl of a stand mixer) and beat until creamy, smooth, and well-combined.
  2. Stir in vanilla extract and salt.
  3. Gradually, with your mixer on low speed, stir in powdered sugar until completely combined. Be sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl so ingredients are evenly combined.
Assemble
  1. If needed, level cakes before decorating. Place one layer of the cake on serving platter. Top with cream cheese frosting and spread evenly. Top with second cake. Frost top and sides of cake and serve.

Notes

  • Toast whole pecans in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes for deeper flavor; cool before chopping and adding to the batter.
  • Pecans can be omitted or substituted with walnuts for allergies or preference.
  • Store the baked cake in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 day or refrigerated up to 5 days.
  • Wrap tightly to freeze the cake for up to 3 months if desired.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1slice with frosting Calories 834kcal (42%) Carbohydrates 101g (34%) Protein 7g (14%) Fat 47g (72%) Saturated Fat 28g (140%) Trans Fat 1g (50%) Cholesterol 99mg (33%) Sodium 415mg (17%) Potassium 309mg (7%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 71g (142%) Vitamin A 914IU (18%) Vitamin C 3mg (3%) Calcium 73mg (7%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12 slices

Amount Per Serving

Calories 834

% Daily Value*

Serving 1slice with frosting
Calories 834kcal 42%
Carbohydrates 101g 34%
Protein 7g 14%
Fat 47g 72%
Saturated Fat 28g 140%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 99mg 33%
Sodium 415mg 17%
Potassium 309mg 7%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 71g 142%
Vitamin A 914IU 18%
Vitamin C 3mg 3%
Calcium 73mg 7%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.