Hummingbird Cupcakes
User Reviews
4.5
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Prep Time
20 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Total Time
40 mins
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Servings
12 cupcakes
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Course
Cake
Hummingbird Cupcakes
Description
Hummingbird Cupcakes are a spiced fruit cake-inspired treat made with bananas and pineapple mixed into a fragrant batter of cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, and pecans. The bananas and pineapple contribute moisture and natural sweetness, while the warm spices add depth and complexity to the flavor profile. The batter's texture is soft and tender, with a bit of crunch from optional chopped pecans.
Once baked, the cupcakes are topped with a classic cream cheese frosting made by beating cream cheese and butter until smooth, then adding powdered sugar and vanilla for sweetness and flavor. This frosting adds a creamy, slightly tangy contrast that complements the fruity, spiced cakes.
These cupcakes are suitable for dessert or afternoon treats, providing a homemade feel with familiar fruit and spice flavors. They pair well with tea or coffee, and the inclusion of chopped pecans can add a nice textural contrast.
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup sugar
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
- Pinch nutmeg grated
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup applesauce
- 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
- ¾ cup banana about 2 large bananas, mashed
- 4 ounces pineapple undrained, crushed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract pure
- ½ cup pecans chopped (optional)
For the Frosting:
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 6 tablespoons butter softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract pure
- 1 cup powdered sugar more to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake papers.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, cardamom, and nutmeg. Set aside.
- In another bowl, whisk together egg, applesauce, oil, banana, pineapple, and vanilla. Pour into dry ingredients and stir until well combined. Stir in pecans, if using.
- Scoop batter into prepared pan, filling cups about 3/4 full.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool in pan briefly, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
- To make the frosting, using a hand mixer, beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add vanilla and powdered sugar and beat until light and fluffy, adding more sugar as desired. Pipe onto cooled cupcakes and top with a pecan half, if desired.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.5
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