Hummingbird Cake History and Recipe You’ll Want to Try
Introduction
Hummingbird Cake is a dessert with a tropical twist that boasts irresistible flavors and a fascinating backstory. Featuring ripe bananas, crushed pineapple, pecans, and warm spices, this cake is known for its incredibly moist and tender crumb. Its rich cream cheese frosting makes it a crowd-pleaser for any celebration or potluck—delightful enough to impress both newcomers and seasoned bakers.
The Unique History of Hummingbird Cake
Hummingbird Cake has Southern roots, but it began its journey in Jamaica in the late 1960s, where it was called “Doctor Bird Cake” after Jamaica’s national bird. The sweet, fruity cake quickly migrated to the Southern United States, landing on the pages of Southern Living magazine in 1978. Its exotic flavors and ease of preparation helped it soar to popularity, making it a staple at gatherings where its tropical notes and creamy frosting are always welcomed.
Why This Hummingbird Cake Recipe Stands Out
What makes Hummingbird Cake truly special is the combination of simple pantry ingredients that transform into a show-stopping dessert. Bananas and pineapple add moistness and brightness, while pecans give it a subtle crunch. The spiced batter, layered with smooth cream cheese frosting, results in a memorable cake that’s beautiful and bursting with flavor. Whether baked as a layer cake or a simple sheet cake, it’s sure to please any crowd.
Ingredients
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Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans or one 9×13-inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
- Stir in the eggs, oil, and vanilla until just moistened.
- Fold in the crushed pineapple (with juice), mashed bananas, and chopped pecans.
- Pour the batter evenly into prepared pan(s). Bake for 25–30 minutes for round pans, or 40–45 minutes for a 9×13-inch pan, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow cakes to cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks and cool completely.
- To make the frosting, beat the cream cheese and butter together until fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing until smooth, then stir in vanilla.
- Once cakes are completely cool, frost the top of each layer (or the surface in a 9×13 cake) with generous cream cheese frosting. Sprinkle with chopped pecans if desired.
Weekly Meal Planning
Want to seamlessly work Hummingbird Cake into your weekly meal plan or special occasion baking? Save and schedule this recipe with CookifyAI’s meal planning tool to generate a consolidated shopping list and efficiently organize all your kitchen tasks.
Planning Perks:
– Calculates total ingredient amounts if you’re making the cake alongside other meals
– Helps prevent buying duplicate groceries and reduces food waste
– Sorts shopping lists by grocery section for quick trips
– Makes it simple to coordinate treats for gatherings, potlucks, or meal plans
Pro tip: When you plan multiple recipes for any event, use CookifyAI to merge shopping lists—making sure you only buy what you need across all your planned meals and desserts!
Serving Suggestions and Storage
Serve slices of Hummingbird Cake adorned with chopped pecans and, if desired, a light dusting of cinnamon. Fresh fruit or a hot cup of coffee pairs beautifully. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days; the flavors only improve as they meld.
Nutrition and Serving Information
This recipe yields 12–16 generous slices. Each piece contains approximately 400–450 calories, depending on frosting and add-ons—a delightful treat for special occasions!
Hummingbird Cake Recap
With its storied Caribbean roots and Southern flair, Hummingbird Cake delights with a moist crumb and tangy-sweet frosting. The ease of preparation and unique flavor profile make this a must-try recipe for anyone seeking a show-stopping dessert with fascinating history.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 30–45 minutes
Total Time: ~1 hour 10 minutes (with cooling and frosting)
