Rating: 3.67
(27)

Hummingbird Cake

April 7, 2025

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.

Hummingbird Cake
Hummingbird Cake
3.67 from 27 votes
Hummingbird Cake is a delicious, moist cake filled with bananas, pineapple, and pecans, and is topped with a creamy cream cheese frosting.
Servings 8 people
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

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

Serving: 1gCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 58gProtein: 5gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 300mgPotassium: 150mgFiber: 2gSugar: 40gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 1.5mg
Calories: 450kcal
Meal Type: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: baking, cake, dessert
Cooking Method: Baked
Diet: Low-carb
Time: >45 Min
Level: Easy
Tried this recipe?Mention @coolinarco or tag #coolinarco!
Carrot Cake
Traditional Carrot Cake
Carrot Cake is a moist and flavorful dessert with grated carrots, nuts, and spices, often topped with a creamy frosting.
Check out this recipe
Cannoli Siciliani
Cannoli Siciliani
Cannoli Siciliani are a traditional Italian pastry filled with a creamy ricotta filling and adorned with a variety of toppings, offering a delightful contrast in texture and taste.
Check out this recipe
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Delicious and chewy chocolate chip cookies that are perfect for any occasion.
Check out this recipe
Dubai Chocolate
Dubai Chocolate
This homemade chocolate treat combines the rich flavors of dark chocolate with the crunchy texture of kadayif pastry and a luscious pistachio cream filling, offering a unique and indulgent dessert experience.
Check out this recipe
Sticky Toffee Pudding
Sticky Toffee Pudding
Sticky Toffee Pudding is a classic British dessert made with moist sponge cake, finely chopped dates, and topped with a rich toffee sauce.
Check out this recipe
Red Velvet Lava Cake
Red Velvet Lava Cake
A decadent and delicious Red Velvet Lava Cake with a gooey chocolate center, perfect for a special dessert.
Check out this recipe
Banana Split
Banana Split
A Banana Split is a classic ice cream dessert consisting of a banana cut in half lengthwise, topped with scoops of ice cream, syrups, and various toppings such as whipped cream, nuts, and maraschino cherries.
Check out this recipe
Gluten-Free Nut Banana Bread
Gluten-Free Nut Banana Bread
A delicious and moist banana bread made with gluten-free flour and walnuts for a nutty crunch.
Check out this recipe
Chocolate and Strawberry Panettone Trifle
Chocolate and Strawberry Panettone Trifle
A delicious and indulgent trifle made with chocolate, strawberries, and panettone.
Check out this recipe
Tiramisu
Tiramisu
A classic Italian dessert made with layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers and a rich mascarpone cream.
Check out this recipe
Join the Conversation
  1. 5 stars
    This cake is sooo good! I used walnuts instead of pecans because that’s all I had and it turned out great!

    1. User avatar kennith.dooley20 says:

      5 stars
      I love that you made it work with walnuts! Sometimes you gotta improvise, right? The bananas and pineapple sound so good together!

    2. User avatar basementDweller says:

      3 stars
      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.

  2. User avatar karen.ward9 says:

    5 stars
    Followed the recipe exactly, and it turned out amazing! Perfectly moist!

  3. User avatar kandace.hodkiewicz2012 says:

    4 stars
    Yum, I made it for a party and it disappeared fast! 🌟

  4. User avatar verdie.pacocha97 says:

    3 stars
    I am skeptical about the crushed pineapple. Does it really work in a cake?

    1. User avatar Flame Atronach says:

      2 stars
      I don’t know, pineapple in cake sounds kinda weird. What if it makes it soggy?

    2. User avatar Mrs. Lane Feeney says:

      5 stars
      I’ve tried it before, and the crushed pineapple adds a really nice moisture and flavor to the cake! Trust me, it works!

  5. 3 stars
    Hummingbird cake? Never heard of it until now. Sounds weird but maybe I’ll try.

    1. User avatar russel.friesen84 says:

      4 stars
      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!

    2. User avatar marcos.lynch1980 says:

      5 stars
      Hummingbird cake is actually delicious! It’s a bit fruity and very moist. You should definitely give it a try!

  6. User avatar Farengar says:

    1 star
    Too many ingredients! I just wanted a simple banana cake. Geesh.

  7. User avatar maryln.schmeler says:

    5 stars
    This cake is absolutely delicious! My family loved it! A total must-try!!

  8. User avatar Bilbo Baggins says:

    2 stars
    I don’t get why ppl rave about this cake. It’s just too sweet for my taste. Maybe with less sugar?

  9. 5 stars
    This cake is so good! My family loved it!

  10. User avatar dustin.reichert6 says:

    5 stars
    Best cake ever! It reminded me of my grandma’s baking! ❤️

  11. User avatar Grìma Wormtongue says:

    3 stars
    Hummingbird cake? I thought it was a cupcake recipe at first! Confusing names. But it was good!

  12. User avatar Tabatha Harber says:

    2 stars
    Too much sugar for my taste. It was more like a dessert than a cake.

  13. User avatar iona.sawayn says:

    2 stars
    These steps are too complicated for me! I’ll just stick to brownies. 😅

    1. User avatar gilberto.schuster96 says:

      5 stars
      I feel you! Sometimes simple is the way to go. 🤷‍♀️ Brownies are delicious, can’t blame you for that!

    2. 3 stars
      Complicated? It’s not that hard! Just take your time, you’ll get it. Plus, this cake is totally worth it! 😃

  14. User avatar daren.daugherty says:

    4 stars
    Easy to follow recipe! I added some coconut flakes as well! Yum!

  15. User avatar Tiana Kub V says:

    3 stars
    Can I make this without the eggs? Got allergies, 🤔. Any thoughts?

  16. User avatar nereida.toy says:

    5 stars
    I dont like nuts, so I left out the pecans but it was still fabulous! 🍰

  17. User avatar Dwarven Shpere says:

    1 star
    My cake didn’t rise. What did I do wrong?

    1. User avatar emil.marquardt90 says:

      4 stars
      Sounds like you might’ve missed adding the baking soda or didn’t mix well enough. That can happen! Keep trying!

    2. User avatar Sharyl Schamberger says:

      5 stars
      Maybe your eggs were too cold or you opened the oven too soon? Little things make a big difference!

3.67 from 27 votes
Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Like 82
Close
Coolinarco.com © Copyright 2025. All rights reserved.
Close
Popular Search: