Hummingbird cake ain’t your average bakery buy. This, my friends, is a tropical vacation for your taste buds. Fluffy cake bursting with sweet, ripe bananas and tangy pineapple, all studded with crunchy pecans like little buried treasures. And to top it all off, a warm hug of cinnamon and spice.
Forget fancy desserts with pretentious names. Hummingbird cake is sunshine on a plate, a taste of the Caribbean that’ll have you swaying to island rhythms with every bite.
What is a hummingbird Cake ?
Hummingbird cake is a delightful dessert that marries the flavors of the Caribbean with the comforting taste of Southern baking. Imagine a moist cake bursting with two tropical fruits: sweet, mashed bananas and tangy bits of pineapple.
To add a delightful crunch, chopped pecans are scattered throughout the batter. Warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg weave their magic, creating a truly irresistible aroma.
Ingredients:
Hummingbird cake is surprisingly easy to make, calling for pantry staples you probably already have! Here’s the rundown:
- Flour: Gives the cake structure and keeps it nice and fluffy.
- Sugar: Sweetens things up without overpowering the fruity goodness.
- Salt: Just a pinch to balance out all the flavors.
- Baking soda: Makes the cake rise nice and high.
- Cinnamon: Adds a warm, cozy touch that complements the fruit perfectly.
- Eggs: Binds everything together and gives the cake a satisfying density.
- Oil: Keeps the cake moist and rich, plus it’s easier to mix than butter.
- Vanilla: A flavor booster that brings out all the other yummy ingredients.
- Canned pineapple: Adds sweetness, moisture, and a touch of tang.
- Bananas: Super ripe bananas are best for the sweetest and most flavorful cake.
- Pecans: Chopped and toasted for a delightful crunch in every bite.
- Shortening: Just for greasing the pans, so your cake comes out perfectly.
To Make the Dreamy Frosting
Cream cheese: This is the star, bringing that delightful tang and smooth texture we all love. Make sure it’s softened up for easy mixing.
Butter: Partners with the cream cheese for extra richness and creaminess. Yum!
Powdered sugar: Sweetens things up and helps the frosting hold its shape so you can spread it nice and easy.
Vanilla extract: A splash of this magic ingredient makes all the flavors in the frosting sing together.
And don’t forget the finishing touch: toasted pecans! Heating them up a bit makes them crunchier and brings out even more of that delicious nutty flavor.
How to make hummingbird cake
Ready to bake some sunshine? Here’s a quick guide to making this delicious cake:
Whisk it all together: Start by mixing the dry stuff like flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon in a big bowl. Then, gently add eggs and oil until everything’s moist. Don’t forget the vanilla, yummy pineapples and bananas, and those crunchy pecans.
Make layers: Divide the batter evenly between three greased and floured cake pans.
Bake to perfection: Let those cakes bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. Then, take them out and let them cool completely.
Frosting magic: Now for the fun part – frosting! Cream together softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Beat in powdered sugar until it’s all blended, then add some vanilla for extra flavor. Whip it all up for a light and fluffy frosting.
Assemble your masterpiece: Spread that delicious frosting between the cake layers, on the sides, and all over the top. Finally, add a fancy touch with a circle of toasted pecans around the edge.