Description
Creamy Southern Easter Hummingbird Cake blends ripe bananas, pineapple, and pecans into a moist celebration of seasonal sweetness. Cream cheese frosting crowns this classic dessert, inviting you to savor a slice of pure spring delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 4 bananas)
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 (8 ounces/226 grams) can crushed pineapple in juice (do not drain)
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Wet Ingredients:
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 8 ounces/226 grams cream cheese, softened
Seasoning and Flavoring Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 12 tablespoons milk or cream, if needed for spreading consistency
Optional Garnish:
- Chopped or whole pecans
- Dried pineapple flowers or fresh edible flowers
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350F (175C). Thoroughly coat three 8-inch round cake pans or two 9-inch pans with grease and flour to prevent sticking.
- Create a dry ingredient foundation by whisking flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt together in a spacious mixing bowl until completely integrated.
- In a separate vessel, energetically beat eggs with oil and vanilla until smooth. Gently fold in crushed pineapple, ensuring juice is included, then incorporate mashed bananas and chopped pecans.
- Merge wet and dry mixtures by pouring liquid ingredients into the flour blend. Stir carefully until just combined, maintaining a slightly lumpy texture to ensure tender cake structure.
- Distribute batter evenly across prepared pans, using a spatula to smooth surfaces. Place in preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, monitoring until a inserted toothpick emerges clean and free of raw batter.
- Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to wire cooling racks. Permit complete cooling to room temperature to prevent frosting from melting.
- Craft the creamy frosting by whipping cream cheese and butter until silky. Gradually introduce powdered sugar, blending thoroughly. Enhance with vanilla and adjust consistency using milk or cream.
- Construct the cake by layering frosting between each cake tier, then generously cover top and exterior surfaces with remaining cream cheese mixture. Smooth edges for a polished presentation.
Notes
- Swap bananas with applesauce for a lighter texture and reduce oil content, perfect for health-conscious bakers.
- Toast pecans beforehand to enhance their nutty flavor and add a delightful crunch to the cake’s overall profile.
- Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smoother mixing and a more consistent cake batter, preventing potential lumps.
- Adjust frosting thickness by gradually adding powdered sugar or milk, creating a spreadable consistency that won’t slide off cake layers.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 50 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 70 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg