Welcome to your new favorite dessert recipe that brings a slice of classic Southern comfort straight to your kitchen. If you have been searching for the ultimate crowd-pleasing dessert, this easy Hummingbird Cake is exactly what you need. It is wonderfully moist, bursting with the tropical sweetness of crushed pineapple, ripe bananas, and a hint of warm cinnamon. Best of all, you do not even need a stand mixer to make the cake batter, making this one of the most accessible Hummingbird Cake recipes you can whip up in no time. Whether you are baking for a special holiday, a family gathering, or just a sweet weekend treat, this recipe guarantees a show-stopping result every single time.
Helpful Tips
- Toasting the pecans beforehand for 5-8 minutes at 350 degrees F brings out a deeper, richer nutty flavor that complements the sweet fruit beautifully.
- Ensure your cream cheese and butter are fully softened to room temperature before whipping to prevent any lumps in your frosting.
- For a fun variation, you can bake this batter in a 9×13-inch pan for 40-45 minutes to make an incredibly easy sheet cake version.
- Do not over-mix the batter; stir just until the flour disappears to keep the crumb of the cake tender and moist.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
- In a medium bowl, stir together the beaten eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, undrained crushed pineapple, and mashed bananas.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir with a rubber spatula just until combined. Gently fold in the toasted chopped pecans.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and smooth the tops with a spatula.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
- Cool the cakes in their pans for 10 minutes, then invert them onto wire racks to cool completely before frosting.
- To make the frosting, beat the softened cream cheese and butter in a large bowl with a hand mixer until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla, beating until light and fluffy.
- Place one cake layer on a serving plate, spread a generous layer of frosting on top, place the second layer on top, and frost the top and sides of the entire cake. Garnish with additional pecans if desired.
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, beaten
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple in juice, undrained
- 2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3-4 medium bananas)
- 1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 8 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (for frosting)
Shopping List
- Produce: 4 ripe bananas
- Dairy & Eggs: 3 large eggs, 16 ounces cream cheese, 1 cup unsalted butter
- Pantry: All-purpose flour, Granulated sugar, Baking soda, Ground cinnamon, Salt, Vegetable oil, Pure vanilla extract, 1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple
- Baking & Nuts: 1 cup chopped pecans, 8 cups powdered sugar
Equipment Needed
- Two 9-inch round cake pans
- Parchment paper
- Large mixing bowl
- Medium mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Rubber spatula
- Wire cooling racks
- Hand mixer
Variations & Serving Ideas
Serve this beautiful cake sliced at room temperature alongside a fresh cup of coffee or a cold glass of milk. Its tropical flavor profile makes it perfect for spring and summer gatherings, but it is hearty enough to satisfy during winter holidays too. To store, wrap the cake tightly or use a cake keeper and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For the best flavor and texture, let individual slices sit on the counter for about 15-20 minutes to take the chill off before serving.
We hope you fall in love with this delightfully simple and moist Southern classic! If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and rate it below to let us know how it turned out. Happy baking! #easyHummingbirdCake #recipeseasyHummingbirdCake #HummingbirdCakerecipes
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