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.
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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.
Followed the recipe exactly, and it turned out amazing! Perfectly moist!
Yum, I made it for a party and it disappeared fast! 🌟
I am skeptical about the crushed pineapple. Does it really work in a cake?
I don’t know, pineapple in cake sounds kinda weird. What if it makes it soggy?
I’ve tried it before, and the crushed pineapple adds a really nice moisture and flavor to the cake! Trust me, it works!
Hummingbird cake? Never heard of it until now. Sounds weird but maybe I’ll try.
Weird? Nah, it’s just a mix of fruits and nuts! You’ll love it once you taste it. Don’t knock it until you try it!
Hummingbird cake is actually delicious! It’s a bit fruity and very moist. You should definitely give it a try!
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?
This cake is so good! My family loved it!
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!
Too much sugar for my taste. It was more like a dessert than a cake.
These steps are too complicated for me! I’ll just stick to brownies. 😅
I feel you! Sometimes simple is the way to go. 🤷♀️ Brownies are delicious, can’t blame you for that!
Complicated? It’s not that hard! Just take your time, you’ll get it. Plus, this cake is totally worth it! 😃
Easy to follow recipe! I added some coconut flakes as well! Yum!
Can I make this without the eggs? Got allergies, 🤔. Any thoughts?
I dont like nuts, so I left out the pecans but it was still fabulous! 🍰
My cake didn’t rise. What did I do wrong?
Sounds like you might’ve missed adding the baking soda or didn’t mix well enough. That can happen! Keep trying!
Maybe your eggs were too cold or you opened the oven too soon? Little things make a big difference!