Hummingbird Cake
Total Time
1 hr 40 mins
Prep Time
45 mins
Cook Time
50 mins
Rating
4.85 out of 5 stars
(40)
Ingredients
16 servings
- 16 ounces canned crushed pineapple in juice
- 3 cups (360 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 cups (396 g) granulated sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup (198 g) vegetable oil
- 4 very ripe large bananas, peeled and mashed (about 2 cups)
- 1½ cup (171 g) pecans, toasted and chopped
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1¼ cups (283 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 5 cups (568 g) powdered sugar
- 2½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 20 ounces cream cheese, chilled and cut into 20 pieces
- ½ cup (57 g) pecans, toasted and chopped
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Preparation
Step 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease three 8-inch cake pans (you can also use two 9-inch pans), line the bottoms with parchment paper, grease the parchment, and flour the pans; set aside.
Step 2
Drain the pineapple in a fine-mesh strainer set over a small saucepan, pressing to remove as much juice as possible. Place the saucepan over medium heat until reduced to ⅓ cup, about 5 minutes; set aside.
Step 3
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
Step 4
In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar and eggs, then whisk in the oil. Using a rubber spatula, stir in the bananas, pecans, vanilla, drained pineapple, and reduced pineapple juice. Gently stir in the flour mixture until just combined.
Step 5
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops with a spatula. Bake until dark golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes (a little less for the 9-inch pans), rotating the pans halfway through baking. Let the cakes cool in pans on a wire rack for 20 minutes, then turn out of the pans, remove parchment paper and allow to cool completely, at least 2 hours.
Step 6
Using an electric mixer, beat the butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt on low speed until smooth, then mix for an additional 2 minutes, scraping down the bowl as needed. Increase the speed to medium-low and add the cream cheese one piece at a time and mix until smooth, then mix for an additional 2 minutes.
Step 7
Place one cake layer on a serving platter. Spread 1 cup of frosting over top, then top with another cake layer, pressing lightly to adhere. Spread another 1 cup of frosting over that layer, then top with the third cake layer. Spread the remaining frosting evenly over the sides and top of the cake. Sprinkle the top of the cake with the chopped pecans. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
Step 8
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Chef's notes
Recommended Equipment – 8-inch cake pans and parchment rounds.
Butter – Take your butter out of the fridge one hour before you make the frosting. It will be soft enough to combine with the cream cheese but still cool.
Bananas – Make sure they are super ripe and spotty brown for a cake that’s ultra moist with lots of banana flavor!
Pecans – The pecans can be omitted without needing to be replaced with anything else. Or you can substitute other nuts such as walnuts or macadamia nuts.
Cake Size – I love large, three-layer cakes, but you can also make this cake using 9-inch cake pans (bake time will be shorter). The batter will also work for a Bundt pan; start checking around 50 minutes, but bake time could be closer to an hour. There is too much batter for a 9×13-inch cake.
Cupcakes – This recipe will make around 24 to 32 cupcakes. Fill cupcake liners two-thirds full with batter and bake for 20 to 22 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Make-Ahead Instructions – You can bake the cakes and prepare the frosting up to one day in advance. Wrap the baked and cooled cakes in plastic wrap and keep at room temperature. The frosting should be stored, covered, in the refrigerator. Remove and allow to come to room temperature before using it.
To Freeze Cake Layers – Wrap cake layers in plastic wrap, then a layer of foil and place in a freezer ziploc bag and store in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then proceed with filling and frosting.
To Freeze the Frosting – The cream cheese frosting can be kept in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then allow to come to cool room temperature and then stir vigorously with a rubber spatula before spreading or piping.
To Freeze the Entire Cake – Place the cake in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, then wrap tightly in a double layer of plastic wrap, then a layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight then allow to come to cool room temperature before serving.
