Description
Old-Fashioned Hummingbird Cake is a moist Southern layer cake filled with ripe bananas, crushed pineapple, warm cinnamon, and crunchy pecans, then finished with rich cream cheese frosting. This easy recipe is perfect for dessert ideas, holiday baking, birthday cakes, potluck food ideas, and anyone looking for a classic homemade cake that tastes even better the next day.
Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
2 cups mashed ripe bananas
1 cup crushed pineapple with juice
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans
8 ounces cream cheese softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
4 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped pecans for garnish
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease three 9-inch round cake pans. Line the bottoms with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
3. In another bowl, stir together the eggs, vegetable oil, mashed bananas, crushed pineapple, and vanilla extract.
4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and fold gently until just combined.
5. Fold in the chopped pecans without overmixing the batter.
6. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and smooth the tops.
7. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
8. Let the cake layers cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.
9. Beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth and fluffy.
10. Add the powdered sugar gradually, then mix in vanilla extract until the frosting is creamy.
11. Place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread frosting over the top.
12. Repeat with the remaining layers, then frost the top and sides of the cake.
13. Garnish with chopped pecans and chill before slicing for cleaner pieces.
Notes
Do not overmix the batter after adding the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Gentle folding keeps the cake soft, moist, and tender instead of dense.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 58 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 23 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 74 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: Old-Fashioned Hummingbird Cake, hummingbird cake, Southern cake, banana pineapple cake, cream cheese frosting cake, easy dessert recipe, holiday baking