Sweet Spring Delight: Easter Hummingbird Cake Recipe

Sweet memories of spring bloom with this delectable easter hummingbird cake that captures the essence of Southern hospitality.

Tropical flavors dance through each tender crumb, blending ripe bananas and crushed pineapple into a delightful celebration.

Cream cheese frosting adds a luxurious touch to this classic Southern dessert.

Generations of bakers have perfected this recipe, passing down its rich, moist texture from one kitchen to another.

Pecans provide a satisfying crunch that elevates every single bite.

Each slice tells a story of comfort and tradition, promising a dessert that will become an instant family favorite.

Prepare to fall in love with this irresistible Easter treat that brings pure joy to the table.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 490 kcal

Servings: 13

What Goes In Easter Hummingbird Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the sturdy base for the cake's delicate texture, ensuring a light and tender crumb.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps create a golden, moist exterior.
• Baking Soda: Acts as a rising agent, helping the cake achieve its fluffy, soft consistency.
• Ground Cinnamon: Adds warm, aromatic depth and complements the tropical fruit flavors.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor profile.

• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the cake's rich, smooth texture.
• Vegetable Oil: Keeps the cake incredibly moist and tender, preventing dryness.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides a classic, comforting background flavor that elevates the entire dessert.
• Crushed Pineapple: Introduces tropical sweetness and moisture to the cake.
• Ripe Bananas: Create natural sweetness and contribute to the cake's soft, dense texture.
• Pecans: Add a delightful crunch and nutty richness to each bite.

• Cream Cheese: Creates a tangy, luxurious base for the frosting with a silky smooth texture.
• Unsalted Butter: Provides richness and helps stabilize the frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting to the perfect spreadable consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the frosting's flavor with its warm, sweet notes.
• Milk or Cream: Adjusts the frosting's consistency for smooth, easy spreading.

Tools To Bake Easter Hummingbird Cake

• Large mixing bowls: Essential for combining dry and wet ingredients separately.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending dry ingredients smoothly.
• Electric mixer: Needed for beating eggs, creaming frosting, and ensuring smooth mixtures.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Critical for accurate ingredient measurements.
• 8-inch or 9-inch round cake pans: Required for baking the cake layers.
• Wire cooling rack: Helps cakes cool evenly and prevent soggy bottoms.
• Toothpick: Used to check cake doneness.
• Spatula: Great for folding ingredients and spreading frosting.

Step-By-Step Cake Instructions

• Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350F and lovingly coat your cake pans with grease and flour.

• Whisk the Dry Blend

Grab a big bowl and dance together flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt until they’re buddy-buddy.

• Merge Wet Ingredients

In another bowl, whip eggs, oil, and vanilla into a frenzy. Fold in pineapple, bananas, and pecans with gentle swirls.

• Create the Batter

Pour wet ingredients into dry and stir until just combined – no aggressive mixing allowed!

• Bake to Perfection

Spread batter evenly across pans and send them into the oven’s warm embrace for 25-30 minutes. Listen for that magical moment when a toothpick comes out clean.

• Cool and Rest

Let cakes take a breather in their pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to cooling racks for a complete chill-out session.

• Craft the Frosting

Whip cream cheese and butter until silky smooth. Gradually welcome powdered sugar, then blend in vanilla. Adjust consistency with a splash of milk.

• Dress the Cake

Once totally cool, lavish layers with frosting, covering top and sides in creamy goodness.

Tips For Fluffy Hummingbird Cake

• Baking Brilliance: Gentle folding prevents tough cake texture, ensuring a light and fluffy result.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cake layers up to two days in advance and store wrapped in plastic at room temperature for stress-free entertaining.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular flour with a high-quality gluten-free flour blend, maintaining the cake's classic moist and tender crumb.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Replace cream cheese frosting with coconut cream-based frosting and use dairy-free margarine for a delicious allergen-friendly version.
• Nut-Free Alternative: Skip pecans or substitute with toasted sunflower seeds for those with nut allergies while preserving the cake's delightful crunch and texture.

Creative Ways To Serve Easter Cake

• Sweet Spring Brunch Companion: Pair this delectable Easter Hummingbird Cake with fresh mimosas or light herbal tea for a delightful morning gathering.
• Festive Easter Table Centerpiece: Position the cake on a beautiful pastel-colored cake stand surrounded by delicate spring flowers like tulips or daffodils to create a stunning visual display.
• Complementary Side Treats: Serve alongside small bowls of fresh berries, whipped cream, or additional chopped pecans to enhance the cake's tropical and nutty flavors, allowing guests to customize their slice.
• Elegant Slice Presentation: Garnish each cake slice with a light dusting of cinnamon, a small edible flower, or a drizzle of caramel sauce to elevate the dessert's visual appeal and add an extra layer of indulgence.

Storing Your Hummingbird Cake

• Refrigeration Strategy: Store the decorated cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Wrap carefully to prevent absorbing other food odors and maintain freshness.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cake layers in advance and freeze wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for 2-3 weeks. Thaw at room temperature before frosting, ensuring maximum moisture retention.
• Room Temperature Timing: Keep frosted cake at cool room temperature for 4-6 hours if serving the same day. Avoid direct sunlight or warm kitchen areas to prevent frosting from melting.
• Slice and Stash Technique: Cut remaining cake into individual portions, wrap separately in plastic wrap, and store in freezer for quick grab-and-go dessert bites up to 1 month. Thaw individually for convenient enjoyment.

Moist Easter Hummingbird Cake Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Jamaican-inspired Easter hummingbird cake blends tropical banana and pineapple flavors with warm spices. Moist layers crowned with cream cheese frosting invite sweet celebration for spring gatherings.

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Ingredients

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• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 8 oz/226 g cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 4 bananas)
• 1 (8 oz/226 g) can crushed pineapple in juice (do not drain)
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 12 tbsps milk or cream, if needed for spreading consistency
• Chopped or whole pecans (optional garnish)
• Dried pineapple flowers or fresh edible flowers (optional garnish)

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Instructions

1. Oven Prepping: Position oven rack in center and preheat to 350F (175C). Meticulously grease and flour cake pans to prevent potential adhesion.
2. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Combine flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Whisk thoroughly until ingredients are uniformly distributed.
3. Wet Ingredient Amalgamation: Vigorously blend eggs, oil, and vanilla until seamless. Fold in crushed pineapple with its juice, then integrate mashed bananas and chopped pecans, creating a complex flavor profile.
4. Batter Integration: Pour wet ingredients into dry mixture, stirring gently until just incorporated. Maintain a slightly textured consistency to ensure optimal cake tenderness.
5. Baking Process: Evenly distribute batter across prepared pans, smoothing surfaces with a spatula. Bake for 25-30 minutes, testing doneness by inserting a toothpick that emerges clean.
6. Cooling and Frosting Preparation: Remove cakes from oven and let rest in pans for 10 minutes. Transfer to wire racks and cool completely. Simultaneously, whip cream cheese and butter until luxuriously smooth, gradually adding powdered sugar, vanilla, and adjusting consistency with milk.
7. Cake Assembly: Carefully layer cakes, spreading frosting between each tier. Generously coat entire cake with cream cheese frosting, creating a polished and appetizing final presentation.

Notes

• Optimize Moisture: Avoid overmixing batter to maintain the cake’s tender, delicate crumb and prevent a tough, dense texture.
• Enhance Nut Flavor: Lightly toast pecans before adding to the batter to intensify their nutty richness and add depth to the cake’s overall taste.
• Control Baking Time: Check cake doneness early to prevent overbaking, which can lead to dryness; look for golden edges and a clean toothpick test.
• Adapt for Dietary Needs: Substitute vegetable oil with applesauce or mashed banana for a lower-fat version, or use gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly option.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 490
• Sugar: 54 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 69 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg