Hummingbird Cake is a beloved Southern dessert that combines the tropical flavors of bananas, pineapple, and coconut with the warm spices of cinnamon and nutmeg. This cake is moist, flavorful, and has a perfect balance of sweetness and spice, making it a crowd-pleasing treat for any occasion, whether it’s a casual gathering or a special celebration. Its rich and fruity flavors make it a standout choice for spring and summer parties, as well as holiday meals.
The base of Hummingbird Cake starts with a simple batter made from mashed bananas, crushed pineapple, and shredded coconut, which give the cake its moist texture and tropical flair. A hint of cinnamon and nutmeg adds depth to the flavor, while a touch of vanilla rounds out the sweetness. The ingredients come together to create a cake that is dense yet light, with a beautifully aromatic flavor profile.
What sets Hummingbird Cake apart from other cakes is its rich cream cheese frosting. The frosting, made with cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla, is smooth, tangy, and perfectly sweet. It complements the moist cake beautifully, providing a luscious contrast to the tropical flavors. The cake is generously frosted and often topped with extra shredded coconut or chopped pecans for a crunchy texture and added visual appeal.
Hummingbird Cake is often served as a layer cake, with two or three layers stacked high and frosted to perfection. However, it can also be baked as a bundt cake or cupcakes, making it a versatile choice for any occasion. The combination of flavors and textures in this cake makes every bite a delight, whether you’re enjoying it with a cup of coffee in the afternoon or as a grand finale to a festive dinner.
This cake is a perfect choice for any celebration, from birthdays to holiday gatherings, or even as a thoughtful homemade gift. Its sweet, tropical flavors and rich cream cheese frosting make it an unforgettable dessert that will leave everyone asking for the recipe.

Ingredients
- 3 ripe bananas mashed
- 1 cup crushed pineapple drained
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 large eggs beaten
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chopped pecans optional
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1/4 cup butter softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar sifted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract for frosting
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.
- Add the mashed bananas, crushed pineapple, beaten eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Mix until well combined.
- Fold in the chopped pecans if using.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- To make the frosting: In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, and beat until smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Frost the cooled cakes with the cream cheese frosting. Stack the cakes, then frost the top and sides.
- Decorate with additional chopped pecans or fruits if desired.
Nutrition










This cake is sooo good! I used walnuts instead of pecans because that’s all I had and it turned out great!
I love that you made it work with walnuts! Sometimes you gotta improvise, right? The bananas and pineapple sound so good together!
Walnuts? I don’t think that’ll taste as good as pecans. But hey, if you liked it, that’s all that matters! Still looks yummy.
Too many ingredients! I just wanted a simple banana cake. Geesh.
This cake is absolutely delicious! My family loved it! A total must-try!!
I don’t get why ppl rave about this cake. It’s just too sweet for my taste. Maybe with less sugar?
Best cake ever! It reminded me of my grandma’s baking! ❤️
Hummingbird cake? I thought it was a cupcake recipe at first! Confusing names. But it was good!
Easy to follow recipe! I added some coconut flakes as well! Yum!
Can I make this without the eggs? Got allergies, 🤔. Any thoughts?