Hummingbird Cake Southern Classic (Printer-friendly)

A moist Southern classic featuring bananas, pineapple, and pecans topped with creamy frosting.

# What You Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 3 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 cups granulated sugar
03 - 1 tsp baking soda
04 - 1 tsp ground cinnamon
05 - ½ tsp salt

→ Wet Ingredients

06 - 3 large eggs, room temperature
07 - 1 cup vegetable oil
08 - 2 tsp pure vanilla extract

→ Fruits and Nuts

09 - 1 cup toasted pecans, chopped
10 - 2 cups ripe bananas, mashed
11 - 1 can (8 oz) crushed pineapple, undrained

→ Cream Cheese Frosting

12 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
13 - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
14 - 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
15 - 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
16 - Pinch of salt

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans, or line with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
03 - In another bowl, beat eggs, oil, and vanilla until well combined and slightly thickened.
04 - Stir mashed bananas, crushed pineapple with juice, and chopped pecans into the wet mixture.
05 - Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. Do not overmix to maintain tender texture.
06 - Divide batter evenly among the three prepared pans.
07 - Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
08 - Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then remove and let cool completely on wire racks.
09 - Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes.
10 - Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt, beating until fluffy and spreadable.
11 - Spread frosting between layers and over the top and sides of the cake. Garnish with extra toasted pecans.

# Cooking Tips:

01 -
  • The cake stays incredibly moist for days, thanks to the fruit and oil
  • That cream cheese frosting creates the perfect tangy balance against all the sweet
  • It serves a crowd beautifully and looks stunning on any dessert table
02 -
  • Never drain the crushed pineapple, that juice keeps the cake incredibly moist
  • Letting the cakes cool completely before frosting prevents the frosting from melting
03 -
  • Toast your pecans in a dry pan until fragrant before chopping, it deepens their flavor dramatically
  • When measuring flour, fluff it first and spoon gently into your cup for accurate measurements
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