Hummingbird Cake with Pecans (Printable version)

A moist Southern classic packed with bananas, pineapple, toasted pecans, and creamy frosting.

# What You Need:

→ Cake

01 - 3 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 cups granulated sugar
03 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
05 - ½ teaspoon salt
06 - 3 large eggs, room temperature
07 - 1 cup vegetable oil
08 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
09 - 1 cup toasted pecans, chopped, plus extra for garnish
10 - 2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3 bananas)
11 - 1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple, undrained

→ Cream Cheese Frosting

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

# Step-by-step guide:

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.
03 - In a separate bowl, beat eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until well combined.
04 - Stir mashed bananas, crushed pineapple with juice, and chopped toasted pecans into the wet mixture.
05 - Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix gently until just combined, avoiding overmixing.
06 - Evenly distribute batter among prepared pans.
07 - Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
08 - Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then remove and cool completely on wire racks.
09 - Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
10 - Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt, beating until smooth and spreadable.
11 - Spread frosting between layers and cover top and sides of the cake evenly.
12 - Decorate the frosted cake with additional toasted pecans.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The texture is impossibly moist without tasting oily, thanks to the oil-based batter and fruit juices.
  • Unlike typical layer cakes, this one actually tastes better the next day when the flavors settle and deepen.
  • Cream cheese frosting against tropical fruit is a flavor combination that feels both nostalgic and somehow sophisticated.
02 -
  • The pineapple juice isn't a mistake—it's essential to the moisture, so never drain it no matter how much liquid you see.
  • Room temperature cream cheese makes the difference between silky frosting and one that's grainy and refuses to spread smoothly.
  • This cake actually tastes better after sitting overnight, so baking it a day ahead and frosting it the next morning is not just allowed, it's encouraged.
03 -
  • Toasting your own pecans takes 8 minutes at 350°F and transforms the whole cake with deeper, more complex flavor than store-bought toasted nuts.
  • Measure your flour by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling off, never scooping directly from the bag, which compacts the flour and can make your cake dry.
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