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Hummingbird Cake

The bakery style Hummingbird Cake is one of those beloved tried and true cake recipes that generations of Southerners have both made and enjoyed. It’s a dense made-from-scratch banana infused cake that’s filled with both crushed pineapple and toasted pecans. The crowning touch is the sweet cream cheese frosting that takes it to a whole new level of deliciousness.

Hummingbird Cake

Easy Hummingbird Cake Recipe

Where Did the Hummingbird Cake Recipe Originate? Hummingbird layer cake first achieved popularity after it was submitted to Southern Living Magazine in February of 1978, by Mrs. L.H. Wiggins of Greensboro North Carolina. I’m super proud that this beloved Southern classic was created right here in my neck of the woods. No explanation was given for the unique name however, it didn’t keep this rich banana-pineapple cake from achieving the title of the most requested recipe in the history of Southern Living Magazine. Quite a culinary feat, wouldn’t you say? Through the years, many cooks have put their own spin on this decadent cream cheese frosted cake. I want to pay homage to the incredible homemaker and baker from right here in my neighborhood, by featuring the original version of this all-time Southern favorite. How to make an old fashioned Hummingbird Cake: (Scroll down for full printable recipe.)

  • Cake: Grease and flour 3 [9] inch cake pans, set aside.
  • Use a whisk to sift together flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.
  • Add the beaten eggs and vegetable oil. Mix by hand until moistened, do not beat.
  • Stir in the vanilla extract , crushed pineapple, 1 cup of nuts and banana. Stir again until fully combined.
  • Divide the batter evenly between the three pans. Place into the 350°F preheat oven and bake for 27-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes back clean. Cool on a wire rack.
  • Cream Cheese Frosting: Use a mixer to cream together the cream cheese and butter until light, fluffy and pale yellow in color. Add the vanilla, beating to combine.
  • Lower the speed of the mixer and gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until creamy and smooth.
  • Frost the cake between the layers first, then top and sides.
  • Sprinkle with the remaining chopped nuts then chill.
step-by-step images of how to prepare hummingbird cake

How to Make the BEST Hummingbird Cake Recipe

  • Ingredients you’ll need to make homemade Hummingbird Cake: All purpose flour, salt, baking soda, granulated sugar, cinnamon, crushed pineapple, toasted chopped pecans, vegetable oil, large eggs, vanilla extract and mashed banana.
  • For the Cream Cheese Frosting you’ll need: Softened plain cream cheese, salted butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract.
  • Kitchen tools you’ll need: A large bowl, a medium bowl, a whisk (a stand mixer or a hand mixer are optional for the cake but helpful for making the frosting), measuring cups and spoons, three 9 inch cake pans.
  • How do you serve Hummingbird Cake? Traditional Hummingbird Cake is typically served as a layer cake. That said, it can be made into a sheet cake, if you prefer. I love it as a classic layer cake, but at times a layer cake can be a challenge to transport to another location.
  • To bake this Hummingbird Cake as a sheet cake: Prepare the cake batter per the recipe. Pour prepared batter into a greased 13 x 9 inch cake pan and bake it for 30-40 minutes. Check the center with a toothpick or cake tester for doneness and increase the bake time in 5 minute increments from that point.
  • Can I make Hummingbird Cupcakes with this recipe? Yes, it can also be made into cupcakes. When doing so, bake them in a standard size cupcake pan for 25-30 minutes or until a cake tester inserted into the center comes back clean.
  • Do I have to toast the pecans for hummingbird cake? It’s well worth the small amount of effort it takes to toast the pecans prior to adding them to the batter and the frosting.
  • How do I store Southern Hummingbird Cake? Store frosted cake in  the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to one week.
  • To save time you can bake, cool and wrap the individual cake layers and freeze them until you’re ready to assemble the cake. Thaw frozen cake layers in the refrigerator overnight then frost per the recipe.
  • Can I use a different kind of nut for hummingbird cake? You can also use walnuts in place of the pecans, if you prefer. Regardless, whatever way you choose to make it, you’ll be the dessert hero every single time.
southern-cake-recipes

More Southern Cakes to Make

We love our big beautiful cakes here in the South and among them there are several that reign supreme. Make these cakes once, and you’ll be hooked.

Hummingbird Cake Recipe

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

Hummingbird Cake

Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Layer Cooling Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 45 minutes
Course: Cakes, Dessert
Cuisine: American, Southern
Keyword: hummingbird-cake
Servings: 16 Pieces
Calories: 678kcal
Author: Melissa Sperka

Ingredients

  • 3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 3 large eggs beaten
  • 1 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla
  • 1 8 oz can crushed pineapple undrained
  • 2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts divided
  • 2 cup chopped banana [or roughly mashed]
  • Frosting:
  • 2 8 oz packages cream cheese softened
  • 1 cup salted butter softened
  • 2 16 oz boxes powdered sugar
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Cake: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and flour 3 [9] inch cake pans or spray with baking spray. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, use a whisk to sift together flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Add the beaten eggs and vegetable oil. Mix by hand until moistened, do not beat.
  • To the bowl add vanilla extract, crushed pineapple, 1 cup of nuts and the chopped or roughly mashed banana. Stir again until evenly distributed and the batter is fully combined.
  • Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Place into the oven and bake for 27-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes back clean. Cool in the pans on a wire rack.
  • Cream Cheese Frosting: In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer on medium high speed to cream together cream cheese and butter until light, fluffy and pale yellow in color, around 2-3 minutes. Add the vanilla, beat to combine.
  • Lower the speed of the mixer and gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until creamy and smooth.
  • Frost the cake between the layers first, then top and sides with cream cheese frosting. Sprinkle with the remaining chopped nuts. Chill.
  • Store refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Notes

a) Mrs. Wiggins didn’t specify in the original recipe if she toasted the nuts for the cake. I really love the flavor of toasted nuts, and recommend that you toast them if time allows. Place on a sheet pan in a single layer and toast in a 350°F oven for 6-8 minutes, then cool completely before adding to the cake.
b) The original recipe calls for chopped bananas. Roughly mashed bananas will also work in this cake.
c) If needed, add heavy cream, half & half or whole milk 1 Tbsp at a time to thin the frosting to spreading consistency.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 678kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 52g | Saturated Fat: 31g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 94mg | Sodium: 261mg | Potassium: 167mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 425IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @melissassk or tag #melissassk!

27 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I make Hummingbird cake, but I use a yellow cake mix, a box of vanilla instant pudding, eggs, oil, cinnamon. Crushed pineapple, bananas, & nuts. Then frost w/ cream cheese glaze. It’s sooo good!!

    1. I’m curious, if you didn’t make Melissa’s cake, just your own boxed cake mix recipe, why did you rate hers with 5 stars? How does that help?

  2. This looks delicious. Can’t wait to try this. I have almost everything for it too. Thanks for sharing. 🙂

    1. If a cake is dry, it could have been over baked or over beaten. Some ovens run hotter than others so always test with a toothpick and remove when it’s cooked through.

    1. People make this cake into all sorts of shapes. I think it works best as a layer cake. It’s very dense so, adjust the baking time accordingly.

  3. I have made this cake every Christmas and New Year’s dinner. I am not a very good baker but this recipe comes out great every time and now I’m feeling more confident because of your wonderful recipe. My family and friends love it and I just want to thank you for being so precise with your instructions and for making it easy to enjoy good food. Happy New Year Melissa!!!

    1. Thank you for such a sweet note, Penny. This Southern classic deserves to be preserved so, I was happy to pay homage to the fabulous baker who created it. Pop in for a visit anytime!

  4. 5 stars
    I made this cake to go with our Christmas dinner this year and i’ve never had so many compliments! Now my brother want’s me to make it for his birthday. Thanks for the great recipe Melissa and I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas!

  5. Gloria, I’m so happy you enjoyed this fabulous cake. Kudos to your hubby for making it! Thanks so much for visiting and taking the time to let me know.

  6. This cake was Fabulous. Ontop of being a very beautiful cake the taste was out of this world.. My husband make it for Christmas. Not a baker I just asked him to follow the directions because I was busy, it came out Wonderful. Very easy Very pretty and Very good.This recipe is a keeper

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