Hummingbird Cake Southern Classic (Printable)

A moist Southern classic layered with bananas, pineapple and pecans under rich cream cheese frosting.

# What You Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 3 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 cups granulated sugar
03 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
05 - ½ teaspoon salt

→ Wet Ingredients

06 - 3 large eggs, room temperature
07 - 1 cup vegetable oil
08 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
09 - 2 cups ripe bananas, mashed (about 3 bananas)
10 - 1 can (8 oz) crushed pineapple, undrained

→ Add-ins

11 - 1 cup toasted pecans, chopped, plus extra for garnish

→ Cream Cheese Frosting

12 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
13 - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
14 - 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
15 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
16 - Pinch of salt

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans, or line with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
03 - In another bowl, beat eggs, oil, and vanilla until well combined.
04 - Stir in mashed bananas, crushed pineapple with juice, and chopped pecans.
05 - Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. Do not overmix.
06 - Divide batter evenly among the prepared pans.
07 - Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
08 - Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then remove and let cool completely on wire racks.
09 - Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
10 - Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt, beating until fluffy and spreadable.
11 - Spread frosting between layers and over the top and sides of the cake.
12 - Garnish with extra toasted pecans.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The combination of fruit keeps every bite impossibly moist without making it heavy
  • That cream cheese frosting turns an already incredible cake into something people will talk about for weeks
02 -
  • Overmixing the batter will make your cake tough and dense, stop as soon as the flour disappears
  • The pineapple juice is not optional, it is what keeps this cake moist for days
03 -
  • Toast your pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat, watching constantly so they do not burn
  • If you only have two cake pans, bake in two batches rather than overcrowding the pans
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