The Sweetest Hummingbird Cake Recipe to Brighten Your Day

Sweet memories of southern gatherings often spark my passion for nostalgic hummingbird cake that blends tropical flavors into one memorable dessert.

Bananas, pineapple, and pecans create a delightful combination that feels like a warm embrace.

My grandmother’s handwritten recipe card inspired this delectable treat many years ago.

Baking becomes an adventure when you mix unexpected ingredients with care and creativity.

Moist layers promise rich, complex tastes that dance across your palate.

Comfort and excitement merge in every single slice of this classic southern confection.

Let’s whip up something extraordinary that will make your taste buds sing with joy.

Why Hummingbird Cake Is A Crowd Favorite

• Tropical Flavor Explosion: Bursting with exotic ingredients like bananas, pineapple, and coconut, this cake delivers a delightful taste adventure that transports your taste buds to a tropical paradise.
• Stress-Free Baking Experience: Straightforward mixing method and simple ingredients make this recipe perfect for bakers of all skill levels, ensuring anyone can create a stunning dessert with minimal effort.
• Crowd-Pleasing Showstopper: Impressive layered design and rich caramel cream cheese frosting guarantee this cake will be the star of any gathering, from birthday parties to family celebrations.
• Versatile Dessert Delight: Suitable for multiple occasions, whether you're hosting a potluck, celebrating a special event, or simply craving a sweet treat that feels both comforting and sophisticated.

Hummingbird Cake Ingredient List

• All-Purpose Flour: A key base for the cake's soft texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness to the entire cake.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise beautifully.
• Baking Soda: Another leavening agent for a light crumb.
• Salt: Balances and enhances other flavors.
• Ground Cinnamon: Warm spice that complements the cake's flavors.

• Vegetable Oil: Keeps the cake moist and tender.
• Large Eggs: Provide structure and richness.
• Ripe Bananas: Bring natural sweetness and moisture.
• Crushed Pineapple: Adds tropical flavor and moisture.
• Vanilla Extract: Gives depth to the cake's taste.

• Cream Cheese: Creates a tangy, smooth frosting base.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness to the frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting.
• Caramel Sauce: Provides extra sweetness and complexity.
• Coconut Flakes: Adds texture and tropical flair.
• Pecans: Optional crunchy topping for extra flavor.

How To Make Hummingbird Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Station

Get your oven warmed up to 350°F.

Grab three 9-inch round cake pans and give them a generous coat of grease.

Line the bottom of each pan with parchment paper to ensure easy cake removal.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Ground cinnamon

Whisk these ingredients together until they’re well blended and look like a uniform mixture.

Step 3: Create the Cake Batter

• Vegetable oil
• Eggs
• Mashed ripe bananas
• Crushed pineapple
• Shredded coconut
• Vanilla extract

Stir everything together until just combined.

Don’t overmix – you want the batter to be smooth but not beaten.

Step 4: Bake the Cake Layers

Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans.

Slide them into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes.

Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean with just a few moist crumbs.

Step 5: Cool the Cake Layers

Let the cakes rest in their pans for 10 minutes.

Then carefully turn them out onto wire cooling racks.

Allow them to cool completely – this is crucial for perfect frosting.

Step 6: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Frosting

• Cream cheese
• Softened butter
• Caramel sauce
• Vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Beat until smooth and fluffy.

Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing until you reach a silky, spreadable consistency.

Step 7: Assemble the Cake

Level the cake layers if needed.

Place the first layer on your serving plate.

Spread a generous layer of frosting.

Add the second layer and repeat.

Crown with the final layer and cover the entire cake with remaining frosting.

Step 8: Add the Final Touches

• Toasted coconut
• Chopped pecans

Create a beautiful ring around the top or sides of the cake for extra visual appeal.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Let the cake sit at room temperature for the most incredible flavor and texture.

Slice, serve, and watch everyone’s eyes light up!

Tips For Moist Hummingbird Cake

• Avoid overmixing the batter to ensure light, fluffy cake layers that rise evenly.
• Use very ripe bananas for maximum sweetness and moisture in the cake.
• Swap all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make the cake suitable for gluten-sensitive guests.
• Gently fold mix-ins like pineapple and coconut to maintain the cake's delicate structure.
• Chill cream cheese before beating to create a smoother, more stable frosting that spreads easily.

How To Keep Hummingbird Cake Fresh

• Store covered cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, keeping frosting firm and fresh.
• Wrap cake layers individually in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for 2-3 months without frosting to maintain optimal texture.
• Keep cake at room temperature for 1-2 days if serving soon, placing in a cake dome or covered container to prevent drying out.
• Thaw frozen cake layers at room temperature for 2-3 hours before frosting, or gently warm individual slices in microwave for 10-15 seconds for a soft, tender bite.

What Goes Well With Hummingbird Cake

• Tropical Cocktail Companion: Pair this luscious hummingbird cake with a refreshing piña colada for a Caribbean-inspired flavor explosion that highlights the cake's tropical ingredients.
• Complementary Wine Selection: Choose a sweet late-harvest Riesling or Moscato, which will beautifully balance the cake's rich sweetness and enhance its fruity banana and pineapple notes.
• Creamy Coffee Contrast: Serve alongside a smooth caramel macchiato or vanilla latte, allowing the coffee's warmth to cut through the cake's dense texture while amplifying its sweet undertones.
• Dessert Wine Delight: Select a golden port wine that mirrors the cake's caramel and nutty elements, creating a decadent after-dinner experience that elevates each delectable bite.

Different Takes On Hummingbird Cake

• Gluten-Free Hummingbird Cake: Replace wheat flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Vegan Tropical Version: Substitute eggs with flax eggs, use coconut oil instead of butter, swap cream cheese for cashew-based vegan cream cheese, and replace caramel with maple syrup.
• Reduced Sugar Alternative: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia in place of sugar, incorporate unsweetened coconut flakes, and reduce caramel sauce quantity for a diabetic-friendly option.
• Nut-Free Adaptation: Eliminate pecans completely, replace with sunflower seeds or omit nuts altogether, maintaining the cake's signature fruity and tropical flavors for those with nut allergies.

FAQs

• What are the key ingredients that make Hummingbird Cake unique?

The cake combines ripe bananas, crushed pineapple, coconut flakes, and pecans, creating a moist and flavorful Southern dessert that’s different from traditional cakes.

• Is Hummingbird Cake difficult to make for beginners?

Not at all! The recipe is straightforward and forgiving. The batter is simple to mix, and the ingredients are easily available in most grocery stores.

• Can I substitute any ingredients in the recipe?

Yes, you can swap pecans with walnuts, use vegetable oil instead of canola, or replace cream cheese with a dairy-free alternative for different dietary needs.

• Why is it called Hummingbird Cake?

The cake originated in Jamaica and was named to attract attention, much like how bright flowers attract hummingbirds. It became popular in the Southern United States in the 1970s.

Hummingbird Cake Recipe

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4.9 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Southern charm meets tropical delight in this irresistible hummingbird cake, blending bananas, pineapple, and pecans into a moist masterpiece. Cream cheese frosting crowns this classic dessert, promising pure indulgence with each heavenly bite you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

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Cake Ingredients (Main):

• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 3 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 cups mashed ripe bananas
• 8 ounces (226 grams) crushed pineapple in juice, undrained

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

Additional Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup coconut flakes

Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients:

• 16 ounces (454 grams) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar (or up to 4 cups, as needed)
• 1/4 cup caramel sauce
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare the dry ingredients by mixing flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a spacious mixing bowl, creating a uniform base for the cake.
2. Incorporate wet components including oil, eggs, mashed bananas, crushed pineapple, coconut flakes, and vanilla extract, stirring gently until ingredients are just blended without overmixing.
3. Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare three 9-inch round cake pans by greasing, flouring, and lining bottoms with parchment paper to ensure easy cake removal.
4. Evenly distribute the cake batter among the prepared pans, ensuring consistent layer thickness for uniform baking.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick near the center – it should emerge clean when the cake is fully cooked.
6. Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to wire racks to cool completely, preventing moisture condensation.
7. Create the frosting by whipping cream cheese, butter, caramel sauce, vanilla, and salt until smooth and airy, gradually integrating powdered sugar for desired consistency.
8. Level cake layers if needed, then assemble by placing the first layer on a serving platter and spreading a generous frosting layer.
9. Stack remaining layers, applying frosting between each, and completely cover the cake’s exterior with remaining frosting.
10. Optional: Garnish with toasted coconut and pecans around the cake’s perimeter for added texture and visual appeal.
11. Let the cake rest at room temperature to optimize flavor and ensure optimal texture before serving.

Notes

• Customize the cake’s moisture by adjusting banana ripeness, with overripe bananas providing deeper sweetness and more intense flavor.
• Enhance texture by toasting coconut flakes before adding to batter, which intensifies nutty undertones and creates a more complex taste profile.
• Prevent potential sinking of fruits by lightly coating banana and pineapple pieces in flour before mixing into batter, ensuring even distribution and preventing ingredient settling.
• Create gluten-free version by substituting all-purpose flour with a reliable gluten-free flour blend, maintaining the cake’s tender crumb and rich tropical character.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Southern (American)

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 560
• Sugar: 49 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 62 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg