Looking for a delicious Southern cake recipe? This Hummingbird Cake recipe is moist and sweet, making it the perfect quick cake to celebrate any occasion!
I have a confession. I’m not really a cake person, at least not usually. I much prefer brownies. Or fresh blueberry pie. Mmmmmmm…pie…
The problem I have with most cakes is that they are either too dry or the frosting is too sweet (or both).
That was, of course, until I discovered this particular cake, which is apparently a Southern institution, right along with sweet tea and pimiento cheese. It is a little like banana bread with frosting, but even better. The original recipe comes from a 1978 issue of Southern Living Magazine but cuts back a little on the oil and nuts and adds a little coconut as well. You could just as easily skip both the nuts and the coconut if those aren’t your thing. Also, it is a great way to use up those overripe bananas!
And the frosting. Oh, the frosting. I use my Browned Butter Cream Cheese Icing because, well, it is pretty much the yummiest thing on the planet, and the slightly caramelized flavor of the brown butter is the perfect complement to the richness of the cake. Don’t skimp on the frosting or flake out and buy the store-bought stuff. It’s not that hard, and it is totally worth the effort!
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease & flour 2 9″ round baking pans.
Step 2: Beat eggs in small bowl. In a separate larger bowl mix flour, baking soda, salt, sugar and cinnamon together and set aside.
Step 3: Add eggs and oil to flour mixture; stir with spatula just until moistened.
Step 4: Stir in bananas, pineapple, pecans, vanilla and coconut. Mix at medium speed until well blended, about 1 minute.
Step 5: Pour batter into baking pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until knife inserted into middle of cake comes out clean.
Step 6: Cool in pan on wire rack for 10-15 minutes, then invert cakes onto wire rack and cool completely.
Step 7: Spread coconut and/or pecans on baking sheet; bake at 350ºF for 5-8 minutes until toasted.
Step 8: Spread Browned Butter Cream Cheese Frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake. Sprinkle top with pecans and/or coconut if desired.
This truly Southern cake is simply to die for!
Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease & flour 2 9" round baking pans.
Beat eggs in small bowl. In a separate larger bowl mix flour, baking soda, salt, sugar and cinnamon together and set aside.
Stir in bananas, pineapple, pecans, vanilla and coconut. Mix at medium speed until well blended, about 1 minute.
Pour batter into baking pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until knife inserted into middle of cake comes out clean.
Spread coconut and pecans on baking sheet; bake at 350ºF for 5-8 minutes until toasted.
Have you ever tried Hummingbird Cake?
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I noticed there wasn't a recipe for making the frosting or did I miss it.
It is linked in the post: https://www.livingwellspendingless.com/browned-butter-cream-cheese-icing/
Enjoy!!
This is a favorite I always come back to. Thanks for the great recipe, Ruth!
It only states on e amount of pecan and coconut. However it is use in the mixture and also you have to bake it in the oven AFTER the cake is baked.
How is it possible to do both? Of is there another lot of ingredients that are not listed?
Am I missing half of the recipe?! It goes from beating the eggs to adding to four mixture. What flour mixture?!
Sorry about that, Step should should read:Beat eggs in small bowl. In a separate larger bowl- mix flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon together and set aside. I hope that helps! This cake really is so delicious and a perfect dessert for any occasion. :)
I never heard of this cake until 6-7months ago. I can't wait to try it. Can a bundt or a13x9 pan be used as well??
This version of hummingbird cake with coconut is exactly what I am looking for and hope to make it for Easter! I noticed that vanilla is in the picture of the cake ingredients, but was not in the recipe. Is it meant for the cake or just the frosting and if so, how much? Thanks!
Hi Allie,
There is 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla in the cake mixture and also 1 teaspoon in the Browned Butter Cream Cheese Icing. :)
I made this and it was a huge hit!!! Everyone loved it! Best cake I've ever made! Thank you for the recipe!
That looks delicious and i know it is.
This recipe produced a wonderfully scrumptious dessert for my summer birthday. Guests gave it a thumbs up! I have placed photos of my Mom's beautiful icing art featuring a hummingbird and pecan flower on my site http://latestlinesfromlaura.blogspot.com/.
This is my DEFINITELY my go-to cake recipe. Im known for it in the county now! :)