Hummingbird Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

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🍰 Hummingbird Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

A moist, tropical, nutty delight layered with rich cream cheese frosting — Hummingbird Cake is one of the most beloved Southern desserts in the United States. Made with ripe bananas, crushed pineapple, warm spices, and crunchy pecans, this cake is incredibly soft, flavorful, and irresistibly creamy.

🌺 Introduction

Hummingbird Cake is a classic Southern layer cake known for its ultra-moist texture and naturally sweet tropical flavor. Unlike traditional butter cakes, this recipe uses oil and fruit for moisture, giving it a tender crumb that stays soft for days.

Topped with velvety cream cheese frosting and garnished with pecans, it’s perfect for birthdays, holidays, weddings, and family gatherings.

📜 History

Hummingbird Cake originated in Jamaica in the 1960s. It was originally called “Doctor Bird Cake” (Doctor Bird is a Jamaican nickname for the hummingbird, the national bird).

The recipe was later introduced to the United States and became wildly popular after being published in **Southern Living magazine in 1978. It quickly became one of their most requested dessert recipes ever!

🛒 Ingredients

For the Cake Layers:

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 (20 oz) can crushed pineapple (with juice)
  • 2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3–4 bananas)
  • 1 cup chopped pecans

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 16 oz cream cheese (softened)
  • 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
  • 4–5 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For Garnish:

  • Whole pecans
  • Optional: toasted coconut flakes

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Cake

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans.
  3. In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
  4. Add eggs and oil; stir until combined.
  5. Fold in mashed bananas and crushed pineapple (with juice).
  6. Stir in chopped pecans.
  7. Divide batter evenly between pans.
  8. Bake 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  9. Cool completely before frosting.

Step 2: Make the Frosting

  1. Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
  2. Gradually add powdered sugar.
  3. Add vanilla and beat until fluffy and creamy.

Step 3: Assemble the Cake

  1. Place first cake layer on serving plate.
  2. Spread frosting evenly on top.
  3. Add second layer and repeat.
  4. Add third layer and frost top and sides.
  5. Decorate with pecans.

🧁 Methods & Baking Tips

  • ✔ Use very ripe bananas for maximum sweetness.
  • ✔ Do not overmix the batter.
  • ✔ Chill cake before slicing for clean layers.
  • ✔ Toast pecans for extra flavor.
  • ✔ Refrigerate due to cream cheese frosting.

🌟 Benefits

Although it’s a dessert, Hummingbird Cake contains:

  • 🍌 Bananas – Potassium & natural sweetness
  • 🍍 Pineapple – Vitamin C & digestive enzymes
  • 🌰 Pecans – Healthy fats & antioxidants
  • 🧀 Cream cheese – Calcium & protein

It’s rich in energy and perfect for celebrations!

🧱 Formation (Structure & Texture)

This cake forms:

  • Soft, moist crumb from oil and fruit
  • Slight crunch from pecans
  • Creamy contrast from frosting
  • Balanced sweetness with warm spice notes

The three-layer formation creates a stunning, tall presentation perfect for slicing.

❤️ Why People Love It

Cake lovers adore this dessert because:

  • It’s incredibly moist
  • It’s not overly sweet
  • It combines fruit and nuts beautifully
  • The frosting is rich but balanced
  • It tastes even better the next day

It’s a favorite for birthdays, weddings, Easter, and holiday dinners.

🥗 Nutrition (Approximate per slice – 12 slices)

  • Calories: 550–600 kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 65g
  • Fat: 30g
  • Protein: 6g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Sugar: 45g

🏁 Conclusion

Hummingbird Cake is more than just a dessert — it’s a celebration cake full of tropical flavor, Southern charm, and irresistible creaminess. From its Jamaican roots to American kitchens, it has won hearts worldwide.

Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or simply to treat yourself, this cake guarantees smiles with every slice.

🍰 Once you try it, you’ll understand why so many dessert lovers keep coming back for more!

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