A deliciously moist Hummingbird Cake made with bananas, pineapple and pecans. This stunning one–layer cake is topped with tangy cream cheese frosting and homemade pecan cookie crumbs. It’s a classic American dessert that is sure to wow your friends and family.
Hello Hummingbird Cake ❤️
Have you ever had Hummingbird Cake before? It’s incredible. This popular American spiced cake is filled with bananas, pecans and pineapple, and topped with cream cheese frosting.
All that goodness makes it super soft and moist, and it stays that way for days. I make my Hummingbird Cake recipe even better by adding pecan cookie crumbs for crunch. AH-mazing!
why you will love this recipe
- The cake is a simple mix and stir recipe
- It makes one BIG cake (feeds a crowd)
- It’s super moist and stays that way for days
- The frosting and cookie crumbs make it extra special
what is hummingbird cake?
Hummingbird Cake is a beautiful, spiced cake made with bananas, pecans and pineapple, and decorated with cream cheese frosting. It originated in Jamaica but is now a popular cake across America.
It doesn’t typically have alcohol in it, but it’s made with oil for an incredibly soft and tender crumb. And it stays that way for days.
Similar in flavour to a Banana Cake or Banana Bread, it’s the pineapple that sets it apart. Using canned crushed pineapple makes this cake fruity, flavorful and extremely moist. Spices like cinnamon and nutmeg make it almost reminiscent of a tropical Carrot Cake.
You don’t need an electric mixer to make the cake itself, instead, it’s a simple mix-and-stir recipe.
Traditionally, Hummingbird Cake is served with cream cheese frosting.
But to make my Hummingbird Cake extra special, we also add crunchy pecan cookie crumbs on top. Just like my favourite Milk Bar Cake and Peanut Butter Cake, these easy shortbread crumbs are like little crunchy flavour bombs.
This easy Hummingbird Cake recipe is sure to become a family favourite.
ingredients
This simple Hummingbird Cake recipe comes together in minutes – you don’t even need an electric mixer to make the cake itself. Here’s what you will need:
Hummingbird Cake
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- Plain flour: Or all-purpose flour.
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Caster sugar: Or granulated sugar.
- Brown sugar
- Pecans: Pecans add crunch to the cake. You can use another nut if you prefer, like walnuts, or for a nut-free version, just leave them out.
- Banana: Make sure you use VERY ripe, spotty bananas for maximum flavour and sweetness.
- Pineapple: This recipe calls for canned crushed pineapple in juice, rather than rings or pineapple pieces. There’s no need to drain the pineapple before using it.
- Vegetable oil: Or another neutral-flavoured oil.
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
how to make hummingbird cake
This cake is very quick and easy to make. Here’s how in three simple steps. The detailed instructions are included in the recipe card below.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, caster sugar, brown sugar and pecans.
- Add mashed banana, pineapple, oil, eggs and vanilla. Stir until combined.
- Transfer to prepared pan and bake until a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean.
let’s talk cream cheese frosting
Traditionally, Hummingbird Cake is paired with cream cheese frosting and it’s not hard to see why. It really is a match made in heaven. The creamy, yet slightly tangy, frosting pairs perfectly with this tropical, tender cake.
My cream cheese frosting uses just four ingredients:
- Butter
- Cream cheese: Use a full-fat block or brick-style cream cheese, rather than a light or spreadable kind.
- Vanilla extract
- Icing sugar: Or powdered sugar.
For a super smooth cream cheese frosting, let your cream cheese come to room temperature before attempting to beat it.
And don’t forget to sift your icing sugar.
frequently asked questions
Hummingbird Cake is like a tropical version of Banana Cake, made with bananas, pecans, pineapple and spices. It is fresh and fruity, packed with flavour, and extremely moist.
YES. I’ve chosen to make this as one BIG 8-inch cake, pictured here, but you can slice the cake into two layers after it’s baked. Or you can split the batter into two 8-inch cake pans, or three 6-inch cake pans. Just remember if you do this, the cakes will cook faster. I recommend checking them around the 30-35 minute mark.
Yes, you can omit the pecans in the cake and not worry about the pecan cookie crumbs. The cake will still be delicious, promise!
No, but you’re missing out. These shortbread cookies are HEAVEN.
Yes. Once the cake is frosted, it will need to be covered and stored in the fridge in an airtight container. Bring it back to room temperature before serving.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. Hungry for more? Join me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter for more amazing recipe ideas.
Let’s Bake
Hummingbird Cake recipe
A beautiful moist Hummingbird Cake with cream cheese frosting and crunchy pecan cookie crumbs.
Ingredients
- 245 grams (1 and 3/4 cups) plain flour or all purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 150 grams (3/4 cup) caster sugar or granulated sugar
- 45 grams (1/4 cup) brown sugar
- 105 grams (1 cup) pecans, roughly chopped
- 250 grams (1 cup) mashed banana (approximately 2–3 overripe bananas)
- 275 grams (1 cup) canned crushed pineapple in juice
- 180 ml (3/4 cup) vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pecan cookie crumbs
- 105 grams (1 cup) pecans, finely chopped
- 70 grams (1/2 cup) plain flour or all purpose flour
- 50 grams (1/4 cup) caster sugar or granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cornflour or cornstarch
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 60 grams (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, melted
Cream cheese frosting
- 60 grams (1/4 cup) butter, softened
- 250 grams (1 and 1/4 cup) full fat cream cheese, softened, roughly chopped
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 435 grams (3 and 1/2 cups) icing sugar or powdered sugar
Instructions
- Hummingbird cake
Preheat oven to 180 C (350 F) standard / 160 C (320 F) fan-forced. Grease and line an 8-inch round cake pan with baking or parchment paper. - In a large bowl, add flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, caster sugar, brown sugar and pecans. Stir briefly.
- Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients, then add mashed banana, pineapple, oil, eggs and vanilla.
- Use a spatula to gently stir until all ingredients are combined. Pour into prepared cake pan and bake for approximately 60-70 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean.
- Transfer cake to a cooling rack and leave to cool completely before frosting.
- Pecan cookie crumbs
To make the pecan cookie crumbs, add pecans, flour, sugar, cornflour and salt to a medium-sized mixing bowl. Pour over melted butter and stir until crumbs resemble wet sand. - Line a baking tray with baking or parchment paper. Add cookie crumbs and spread into one even layer. Bake for approximately 10-12 minutes or until just golden. Leave to cool completely.
- Cream cheese frosting
To make the frosting, add butter, cream cheese and vanilla to a large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes or until smooth and creamy. - Add sugar, 1 cup at a time, and continue to beat until smooth.
- Spread frosting over the top of the cake. Sprinkle over pecan cookie crumbs. Cut into slices and serve.
Notes
Cake size: This recipe makes one large (deep) 8-inch cake. I prefer to use an 8-inch cake pan that’s 3 inches deep (rather than the standard 2 inches). You can easily make this into a two-layer cake by slicing the cake into two once it’s completely cooled. Or you can split the batter between two 8-inch cake pans. Note the cooking time will need to be adjusted. I recommend checking them around the 30-35 minute mark. You’ll know they’re ready when a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
Bananas: Make sure your bananas are super ripe and spotty for maximum flavour and sweetness. Also, mash them really well with a fork, otherwise you’ll get gummy banana bits in your cake.
Pecan cookie crumbs: Store any leftover cookie crumbs in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Cream cheese frosting: I recommend using a block of full-fat cream cheese, rather than a light or spreadable cream cheese. To ensure a super smooth frosting, make sure your cream cheese has time to soften to room temperature. Also be sure to sift your icing sugar.
Storage: Once the cake is frosted, it will need to be covered and stored in the fridge in an airtight container. Bring it back to room temperature before serving.
Make ahead: You can make the cake a day or two in advance. Once the cake is completely cooled, wrap it in plastic wrap and keep it in an airtight container at room temperature. Alternatively, you can freeze it. You can also make the cream cheese frosting in advance. Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. To serve, let it sit out for 15 minutes, then give it a good mix by hand before frosting your cake.
Nutrition Information
Lynnette Hawkins says
Best hummingbird I’ve ever made! Crumble topping is also to die for
Jessica Holmes says
Yay! Love that Lynnette!
Sharon says
This is the second time I have made this cake and got to say it is delicious so big thanks for your talent! I did reduce icing and crumble topping by half and that was plenty for us. A perfect cake for all occasions 👏🏻
Jessica Holmes says
That is so lovely to hear Sharon! Yes I remember going a bit heavy on the frosting when I wrote this recipe haha!
Connie says
I want to make this in a 11×13″ pan. Would it work? Should I increase call the amounts? Any thoughts?
Thank you
Jessica Holmes says
Hi Connie, I think it would be fine! It’ll be thinner and might cook slightly faster, but still be delicious.
Suzanne says
Just wondering if I could use pineapple pieces and put them through the blender, wasn’t sure if that would create to much liquid. I desperately want to get rid of this jar of pineapple pieces lol
Jessica Holmes says
I think that would be fine! Maybe drain it a little so it’s similar to what crushed pineapple in a tin looks like and you’ll be good to go!