Description
Classic Southern hummingbird cake with banana, crushed pineapple, pecans, and cream cheese frosting. Three 9-inch layers from Alissa at Yummy Dishes.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake
- 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour
- 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup (240ml) vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 (8 oz / 227g) can crushed pineapple in juice, undrained
- 2 cups mashed very ripe bananas (about 4 medium)
- 1 cup (120g) chopped pecans, toasted
Cream cheese frosting
- 16 oz (454g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 1/2 cup (60g) pecan halves, for the top
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease three 9-inch cake pans, line the bottoms with parchment, and grease the paper.
- Whisk the flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl.
- In a second bowl, whisk the eggs, oil, and vanilla. Stir in the undrained pineapple and mashed bananas.
- Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and fold just until no dry streaks remain. Fold in the toasted pecans. Do not beat the batter.
- Divide the batter evenly among the pans (about 620g each if you weigh). Bake 25 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick in the center comes out clean and the tops spring back.
- Cool in the pans 10 minutes, then turn out onto racks and peel off the parchment. Cool completely before frosting — warm layers will slide.
- Beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt on low, then beat until fluffy.
- Stack the layers with a generous cup of frosting between each. Coat the sides and top. Finish with pecan halves. Chill 30 minutes before slicing for clean layers.
Notes
Toast the pecans in a dry skillet 4 to 5 minutes so they stay crunchy in the crumb. The cake keeps refrigerated, covered, for 4 days. Bring slices to room temperature for 20 minutes before serving.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: Southern