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The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving) | |
---|---|
900 | Calories |
51g | Fat |
108g | Carbs |
7g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
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Servings: 16 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 900 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 51g | 66% |
Saturated Fat 16g | 79% |
Cholesterol 98mg | 33% |
Sodium 602mg | 26% |
Total Carbohydrate 108g | 39% |
Dietary Fiber 4g | 14% |
Protein 7g | |
Calcium 96mg | 7% |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. |
This hummingbird cake is always a hit with families or for any celebration. It's a moist cake flavored with cinnamon, pineapple, pecans, and bananas and topped with a cream cheese frosting.
The cake originated in Jamaica in the 1960s and was part of an Air Jamaica tourism campaign. It was named the "doctor bird cake," after the national bird of Jamaica. The doctor bird is a member of the hummingbird family. You'll enjoy a little tropical vacation with a cake you can make anywhere and anytime. Wouldn't it be perfect at a bon voyage party for friends who are going on a Caribbean cruise?
Ingredients
- For the Cake:
- 3 cups/13 1/2 ounces all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 eggs (beaten)
- 1 1/4 cups vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple (well-drained)
- 1 cup pecans (chopped)
- 2 cups banana ( firm ripe, chopped)
- For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 16 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup butter (room temperature)
- 2 pounds confectioners' sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 to 1 cup pecans (chopped, toasted, if desired)
Steps to Make It
Note: while there are multiple steps to this recipe, this hummingbird cake is broken down into workable categories to help you better plan for preparation and baking.
Make the Cake
-
Gather the ingredients.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska -
Preheat oven to 350 F. Generously grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska -
Sift the flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon together into a large mixing bowl several times.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska -
Add the eggs and vegetable oil to the dry ingredients. Stir with a wooden spoon until ingredients are moistened.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska -
Stir in vanilla, drained pineapple, and 1 cup pecans.
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Stir in the chopped bananas.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska -
Spoon the batter into the prepared cake pans.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska -
Bake the layers in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until a wooden pick or cake tester inserted in center comes out clean.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska -
Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn them onto cooling racks. Cool completely before frosting.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
Make the Frosting and Assemble
-
Gather the ingredients.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska -
To make the frosting, combine the cream cheese and butter in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer; beat until smooth and creamy.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska -
Add the confectioners'Â sugar and beat on low speed until combined.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska -
Increase the speed to medium-high and continue beating until the frosting is light and fluffy.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska -
Stir in vanilla.
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Frost the tops of all three layers of the cake and then stack them.
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Frost the sides of the cake.
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Sprinkle the top of the cake evenly with the 1/2 to 1 cup chopped pecans.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska -
Slice, serve, and enjoy!
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
Tip
- To toast the pecans, spread them in a dry skillet over medium heat; cook while continually stirring until the nuts are lightly browned and aromatic. Remove to a plate at once to stop the cooking process.Â