Hummingbird Cake – Jo Cooks

When you’ve by no means had Hummingbird Cake, you’re in for a deal with. It’s smooth, moist, and filled with heat Southern flavors—ripe bananas, crushed pineapple, toasted pecans, and simply the suitable contact of cinnamon. Suppose banana bread meets spice cake, with a wealthy cream cheese frosting to tie all of it collectively.

What’s Hummingbird Cake?

Hummingbird Cake is a traditional Southern dessert, identified for its ultra-moist texture, heat spices, and tropical flavors from bananas and pineapple.

I’ll be trustworthy—I used to assume this cake was simply one other banana cake. I used to be fallacious. The primary time I made it, I noticed how particular it’s. The pineapple retains it extremely moist, the pecans add the right crunch, and that frosting? Completely irresistible. That is the sort of cake that tastes like a hug, makes your kitchen odor unbelievable, and retains folks coming again for seconds.

Earlier than You Begin – Learn This First!

Earlier than you dive into making this Southern traditional, let’s discuss what makes this cake so particular and get the perfect outcomes. Hummingbird Cake is understood for being extremely moist, flavorful, and foolproof, however there are some things to bear in mind to ensure it seems completely each time.

Why This Cake Works

✔ Bananas + Pineapple = Final Moisture – This isn’t only a banana cake! The crushed pineapple provides pure sweetness and retains the cake tremendous smooth with out making it dense. Overripe bananas are key—assume banana bread-level ripeness (darkish spots are good!).

✔ No Butter? No Downside! – Conventional Hummingbird Cake makes use of oil as an alternative of butter, which retains it further tender and moist for days. When you love desserts that keep contemporary and smooth, this one’s for you.

✔ Cream Cheese Frosting is Non-Negotiable – The tangy, wealthy frosting completely balances the sweetness of the cake. Belief me, it’s what makes this cake next-level.

✔ Toasted Pecans & Coconut = Subsequent-Stage Taste – Don’t skip toasting your pecans and coconut! It brings out a deep, nutty taste that takes this cake from good to unforgettable.

Key Components & Professional Ideas

Bananas – How Ripe is Too Ripe?

The riper, the higher! In case your bananas have brown spots and really feel smooth, they’re good. In the event that they’re virtually black, that’s even higher! Simply mash them effectively so that they mix into the batter.

Professional Tip: In case your bananas aren’t ripe but, pop them in a 350°F oven for 10-Quarter-hour till the skins flip black—prompt ripeness increase!

Crushed Pineapple – Do I Drain It?

Sure, however not utterly! You wish to take away extra liquid, however leaving slightly juice helps preserve the cake tremendous moist. Simply press it calmly with a spoon in a sieve—don’t squeeze it dry.

Toasting the Pecans & Coconut – Value It? 100%!

It takes 5 further minutes however makes an enormous distinction in taste. Toast them in a dry skillet over medium-low warmth for a couple of minutes, stirring often, till they odor aromatic. Watch intently—they burn quick!

Why Oil As an alternative of Butter?

Butter provides taste, however oil makes desserts softer and stays moist longer. Since this cake already has bananas and pineapple for taste, oil is the best way to go for the perfect texture.

Remaining Thought – Hold It Easy & Take pleasure in!

This cake is extremely forgiving, so don’t stress! So long as you employ ripe bananas, calmly drained pineapple, and toast these pecans, you’re in for a bakery-worthy cake that’s moist, flavorful, and completely irresistible. Now that you just’re prepped, let’s make this magnificence!

Alright, let’s do that! When you can combine, pour, and frost, you may make this cake. No fancy methods, simply easy steps that assure a bakery-worthy consequence. Observe alongside, and I’ll stroll you thru precisely how I make it.

First issues first—preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and get your cake pans prepared. I all the time line mine with parchment paper as a result of nothing is worse than a cake that sticks! Spray the pans, add parchment rounds, then spray once more. Additional insurance coverage = stress-free cake removing.

In your stand mixer bowl, whisk collectively the flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon. No sifting wanted! Only a fast combine to distribute every little thing evenly.

Why? Mixing the dry elements first prevents overmixing when the moist elements go in. Overmixed cake = dense cake. We would like gentle and fluffy!

Now for the magic. Add the overwhelmed eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, crushed pineapple (calmly drained!), and mashed bananas. Combine simply till mixed—you don’t wish to overwork the batter. DO NOT OVERMIX!

The Pineapple & Banana Trick: Each of those add pure sweetness and moisture. In case your bananas aren’t smooth sufficient, mash them till virtually clean so that they incorporate absolutely into the batter.

Time for the crunch! Fold within the toasted pecans, however don’t overmix. You simply need them evenly distributed.

Toasting is non-negotiable! It deepens the flavour and makes the pecans further crunchy. Belief me, it’s value the additional 5 minutes.

Evenly divide the batter between your two ready cake pans and bake for 25-Half-hour.

How one can Know It’s Finished: Insert a toothpick within the heart—if it comes out clear or with a number of moist crumbs, the cake is prepared. If there’s batter, give it a number of extra minutes.

Let the desserts cool within the pans for five minutes, then switch them to a wire rack. Cool utterly earlier than frosting. I do know, the wait is torture, however heat cake + frosting = catastrophe.

That is what takes Hummingbird Cake to the following stage. In a stand mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter collectively till clean. Add the vanilla and powdered sugar steadily, beating till fluffy, creamy, and spreadable.

Frosting Ideas:

• Room temp elements are key for the smoothest, lump-free frosting.
• Combine cream cheese & butter first, then add sugar. This prevents clumps.
• If it’s too smooth, chill for 10-Quarter-hour earlier than spreading.

✔ Ensure the desserts are utterly cool earlier than frosting. Even barely heat desserts = melted frosting.

✔ Trim the domes off your desserts so that they stack evenly. A pointy serrated knife works finest.

✔ Place the primary layer on a cake stand and unfold a beneficiant layer of frosting.

✔ Stack the second layer on high and cowl the entire cake in frosting. Don’t stress about perfection—rustic swirls look stunning!

Now for the half that makes this cake look bakery-worthy. Utilizing your fingers, gently press the toasted coconut onto the edges of the cake. Sprinkle the highest with chopped pecans.

This step isn’t only for seems to be—it provides crunch and taste that takes this cake excessive.

You could possibly dive in instantly, however chilling the cake for at the least Half-hour helps set the frosting and makes slicing a lot cleaner. Whenever you’re able to serve, lower into thick slices and watch it disappear!

Make It Your Personal – Customization & Variations

I favor to maintain this cake retailer within the fridge due to the cream cheese. Hold the cake in a closed cake container within the fridge for as much as 4 days.

• Make it a sheet cake – Don’t wish to cope with layers? Bake the batter in a 9×13-inch pan on the identical temp for about 35-40 minutes.
• Flip it into cupcakes – Divide the batter into lined muffin tins and bake at 350°F for 20-22 minutes. Nice for events!
• Swap the nuts – Not a pecan fan? Attempt walnuts, almonds, and even go away them out utterly.
• Make it gluten-free – Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour mix like King Arthur or Bob’s Crimson Mill. No different changes wanted!
• Decrease the sugar – Cut back the sugar by ¼ to ½ cup for a much less candy cake—it’ll nonetheless be moist and flavorful!
• Add mix-ins – Shredded carrots or raisins can add much more texture and depth to this cake.
• Make it dairy-free – Swap the cream cheese and butter within the frosting for vegan alternate options. The cake itself is already dairy-free!

First-Time Making This?

If that is your first time making Hummingbird Cake, don’t stress! This is without doubt one of the most forgiving desserts on the market—simply you should definitely use ripe bananas, calmly drained pineapple, and toast these pecans for the perfect taste. You’ve bought this!

Have you ever tried Hummingbird Cake earlier than? Let me know within the feedback what filling or frosting twist you’d like to strive!

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Hummingbird Cake

Prep 40 minutes minutes

Chilling Time 1 hour hour

Prepare dinner 30 minutes minutes

Complete 2 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

This traditional Southern Hummingbird Cake is filled with bananas, crushed pineapple, and toasted pecans, all wrapped in a wealthy cream cheese frosting and completed with toasted coconut for the right texture. Moist, flavorful, and extremely straightforward to make, this cake is a assured crowd-pleaser for any event!

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Earlier than You Start! When you make this, please go away a evaluation and ranking letting us understand how you favored this recipe! This helps our enterprise thrive & proceed offering free recipes.

Directions 

Cake

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.

• You have to 2 cake pans, every 8 inches in diameter. Reduce out 2 parchment paper circles that may match contained in the cake pans. Spray the underside of the cake pans with cooking spray, that is so the parchment paper sticks to the pans. Place the parchment papers inside and spray extra cooking spray over the parchment paper.

• n the bowl of your mixer mix all of the dry elements collectively; flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, baking powder and cinnamon.

• To the mixer bowl add the overwhelmed eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, vanilla extract, crushed pineapple and mashed bananas. Combine effectively till mixed. Stir in pecans.

• Evenly divide the batter between the 2 ready pans and switch to the oven.

• Bake for 25 to Half-hour or till the cake is cooked. Insert a toothpick in the course of the cake, if it comes out clear, the cake is finished.

• Place the cake pans on a cooling rack and funky within the pans for five minutes, then take away them from the pans and permit the desserts to chill utterly on the cooling rack.

Frosting

• Within the bowl of your mixer, add the cream cheese, and butter and beat utilizing the paddle attachment till clean. Add the vanilla extract and powdered sugar and beat on low till all mixed. Improve the pace and proceed beating till the frosting is clean and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

Assemble the cake

• As soon as the layers have cooled off utterly, lower off the dome a part of the cake so that every layer is flat on high. To assemble the cake, place one cake on a serving platter and unfold a layer of frosting evenly. Repeat with remaining cake layer and frost the cake throughout.

• Utilizing your fingers, apply toasted coconut to the edges of the cake throughout. Sprinkle the highest with chopped pecans.

• Chill the cake till able to serve.

Notes

1. Bananas Matter – The riper, the higher! You need these deep yellow bananas with loads of brown spots for max sweetness and moisture. Not ripe sufficient? Pop them in a 350°F oven for 10-Quarter-hour till the skins flip black.
2. Pineapple Trick – Frivolously drain, don’t squeeze! You need some moisture to maintain the cake smooth, however an excessive amount of liquid will make it dense. Simply press calmly with a spoon to take away extra juice.
3. Toasting Nuts & Coconut – DO NOT SKIP THIS! It makes an enormous distinction in taste. Toast pecans and coconut in a dry pan over medium warmth for a couple of minutes till golden and aromatic. Watch intently—they burn quick!
4. Don’t Overmix – Combine simply till every little thing is mixed. Overworking the batter = dense, powerful cake. We would like gentle and fluffy!
5. Let the cake cool utterly earlier than frosting it. If the cake remains to be heat it’s going to flip the frosting right into a runny liquid.
6. Cream cheese frosting is a should. No different frosting compares.
7. Frosting Ideas – Room temp butter and cream cheese = smoothest frosting. If it’s too smooth, chill for 10-Quarter-hour earlier than spreading.
8. A stand mixer works nice however bear in mind for those who don’t have one, a hand mixer will work simply as effectively.
9. Line the cake pans as instructed, to keep away from the cake sticking to the underside of the pan, plus it’s a lot simpler to take away the desserts from the pans.
10. Storage – Due to the cream cheese frosting, retailer this cake coated within the fridge for as much as 5 days. Let it sit at room temp for Half-hour earlier than serving for the perfect texture.
11. Freezing – Freeze unfrosted cake layers for as much as 3 months (wrap tightly in plastic wrap). Frosted cake? Freeze slices individually for a simple grab-and-go deal with!

Diet Data

Serving: 1servingEnergy: 741kcal (37%)Carbohydrates: 98g (33%)Protein: 7g (14%)Fats: 38g (58%)Saturated Fats: 19g (119%)Polyunsaturated Fats: 4gMonounsaturated Fats: 12gTrans Fats: 1gLdl cholesterol: 103mg (34%)Sodium: 326mg (14%)Potassium: 307mg (9%)Fiber: 4g (17%)Sugar: 75g (83%)Vitamin A: 930IU (19%)Vitamin C: 4mg (5%)Calcium: 70mg (7%)Iron: 2mg (11%)

Discover: Diet is auto-calculated in your comfort. The place related, we suggest utilizing your personal diet calculations.