Pineapple and banana combine to create a bright, fruity flavor in this classic Hummingbird Cake, finished with a creamy cream cheese frosting and a crunchy pecan topping.
Easy Homemade Hummingbird Cake
This moist, tender layer cake features mashed banana, crushed pineapple and chopped pecans folded into a lightly spiced batter. Topped with classic cream cheese frosting, it’s a crowd-pleasing dessert that pairs wonderfully with coffee or tea and makes a lovely addition to springtime gatherings.
Despite its elegant appearance, this cake is simple to prepare. The batter comes together in one bowl, bakes quickly, and only requires cooling before you frost and assemble.
What is Hummingbird Cake?
Hummingbird Cake is a Southern classic that gained widespread popularity after a recipe was published in a 1978 issue of Southern Living. It’s commonly served at holidays and special occasions throughout the South.
The flavor profile blends warm spices like cinnamon and a hint of nutmeg with the tropical notes of pineapple and the rich sweetness of mashed bananas. The result is a moist, flavorful cake reminiscent of carrot cake in spice and texture, but with a distinct fruity lift. A simple cream cheese frosting and chopped pecans complete the dessert.
Recipe Ingredients
These ingredients create a rich, fruity cake balanced with warm spices and crunchy pecans.
For the Cake
- Flour: 3 cups all-purpose flour.
- Sugar: 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar.
- Salt: 1 teaspoon sea salt (or preferred salt).
- Cinnamon & Nutmeg: 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon nutmeg.
- Baking Soda: 1 teaspoon baking soda.
- Eggs: 3 large eggs, lightly beaten.
- Oil: 1 ⅓ cups light cooking oil (or substitute part with melted butter for richer flavor; coconut oil also works).
- Pecans: 2 ½ cups chopped pecans, divided.
- Banana: 1 cup mashed banana (about 3 medium ripe bananas).
- Pineapple: 8 ounces (1 can) crushed pineapple, undrained.
- Vanilla: 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract.
For the Icing
- Butter: ½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened.
- Cream Cheese: 6 ounces cream cheese, softened.
- Vanilla: 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract.
- Powdered Sugar: 2 cups powdered sugar.
How to Make Hummingbird Cake
Measure and prepare all ingredients before you start for a smooth assembly process.
- Prep Oven & Pans: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans. Cut parchment circles to fit the bottoms of the pans for easy removal.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and baking soda until evenly mixed.
- Add Wet Ingredients & Pecans: Stir the eggs, oil, mashed banana, crushed pineapple (with juices) and vanilla into the dry ingredients until just combined. Fold in 1 ½ cups of the chopped pecans.
- Bake: Divide the batter evenly among the three prepared pans and bake for about 25 minutes, or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool Cake Layers: Allow the layers to rest in their pans for about 8–10 minutes, then remove and cool completely on a wire rack before assembling.
- Make Frosting: Beat the softened butter, cream cheese and vanilla until light and fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and beat until smooth. Chill in an airtight container until ready to use.
- Assemble: Place a small dollop of frosting on a cake stand to secure the first layer. Set one cake layer on top, spread about ¾ cup frosting over it, then add the next layer and repeat. After stacking all three layers, frost the top and sides with the remaining frosting and smooth or add texture with a spoon or spatula. Sprinkle the reserved pecans over the top and sides if desired.
- Serve: Slice and enjoy.
Tips for Success
- Use oil for a lighter crumb: Oil keeps the cake tender and cakey; butter will add flavor but a denser texture.
- Choose very ripe bananas: Bananas with brown spots give the most flavor and sweetness.
- Freeze layers for easier frosting: Fully cooled layers can be wrapped and frozen; slightly frozen layers are easier to frost cleanly.
How to Store this Cake
- Store refrigerated if room temperature is above 70°F to keep the cream cheese frosting safe.
- Cover tightly to prevent drying; at cooler room temperatures the cake can be kept covered at room temperature for a day or two.
- Consume within 2–3 days for best flavor and texture; refrigerate longer-term.
Hummingbird Cake
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 1 ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 3 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 ⅓ cups light cooking oil
- 2 ½ cups chopped pecans, divided
- 1 cup mashed banana (roughly 3 medium bananas)
- 8 ounces (1 can) crushed pineapple
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For the Icing
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 6 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350˚F and prepare three 9-inch round pans (greased, floured, and parchment-lined).
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and baking soda.
- Add eggs, oil, mashed banana, crushed pineapple with juices, and vanilla; stir until combined. Fold in 1 ½ cups chopped pecans.
- Divide batter among the prepared pans and bake about 25 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean and edges are golden.
- Let cakes rest 8–10 minutes in pans, then remove and cool completely on wire racks.
- Beat butter, cream cheese and vanilla until light; gradually add powdered sugar and beat until smooth. Chill until ready to use.
- Assemble the cake by stacking layers with about ¾ cup frosting between each. Frost the top and sides, then garnish with remaining pecans.
- Slice and serve.
Equipment
- Oven
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 81 g |
Protein: 8 g |
Fat: 55 g |
Saturated Fat: 11 g |
Trans Fat: 1 g |
Cholesterol: 77 mg |
Sodium: 415 mg |
Potassium: 234 mg |
Fiber: 4 g |
Sugar: 53 g
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as a courtesy. Values may vary depending on ingredients and tools used.
More Dessert Ideas to Try
If you enjoyed this recipe, consider trying one of these other homemade treats.
- Churros with Chocolate Dipping Sauce
- Easy Homemade Lemon Bars
- Strawberry Pavlova Nests