Delightful Easter Hummingbird Cake Recipe to Sweeten Spring

Sweet memories of spring bloom with this delightful Easter hummingbird cake that captures the essence of seasonal celebration.

Bananas, pineapple, and warm spices dance together in a delectable symphony of flavors.

Caribbean baking traditions inspire this moist, decadent dessert that feels like a warm embrace.

Soft layers promise a tender crumb bursting with tropical fruit notes.

Nuts and cream cheese frosting add luxurious texture and depth to each delicious slice.

Colorful and inviting, you’ll find this cake becomes an instant favorite at any gathering.

Let’s whip up a masterpiece that will have everyone asking for seconds!

What Makes Easter Hummingbird Cake So Special

• Celebrate Seasonal Sweetness: Perfect for Easter gatherings, this hummingbird cake brings festive cheer with its tropical-inspired flavors and classic cake texture.
• Master Baking Simplicity: Requires basic mixing skills and standard kitchen tools, making it an approachable recipe for bakers of all experience levels.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Packed with beloved ingredients like bananas, pineapple, and cream cheese frosting, this cake guarantees smiles from kids and adults alike.
• Customize with Creativity: Easily adaptable by adding nuts or adjusting spices, allowing personal touches to make the recipe uniquely yours.

Ingredients for Easter Hummingbird Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: A foundational ingredient that provides structure to the cake's texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender crumb.
• Baking Powder: Ensures the cake rises and becomes light and fluffy.
• Baking Soda: Helps with browning and provides additional leavening.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cake.
• Ground Cinnamon: Adds warm, aromatic spice to complement the tropical flavors.

• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and provide richness.
• Vegetable Oil: Creates moisture and helps keep the cake tender.
• Crushed Pineapple: Adds tropical sweetness and moisture to the cake.
• Ripe Bananas: Contribute natural sweetness and create a soft, moist texture.

• Cream Cheese, Powdered Sugar, Vanilla Extract: Create a classic, smooth, and creamy frosting that complements the cake's tropical flavors.
• Optional Chopped Nuts: Provide a crunchy texture and additional flavor to the cake.

How to Bake Easter Hummingbird Cake

Step 1: Prepare Baking Equipment

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease two 9-inch round cake pans with butter or cooking spray to ensure easy cake removal.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Ground cinnamon

Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients

• Crushed pineapple
• Mashed ripe bananas

Step 4: Create Cake Batter

Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined.

If desired, add chopped pecans or walnuts for extra crunch.

Step 5: Bake The Cake

Pour batter evenly into prepared pans.

Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.

Step 6: Cool Cake Layers

Let cakes rest in pans for 10 minutes.

Transfer to wire cooling racks and allow to cool completely.

Step 7: Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting

Beat cream cheese until smooth.

Gradually mix in powdered sugar and vanilla extract until fluffy and spreadable.

Step 8: Frost And Decorate

Generously spread cream cheese frosting between cake layers and over entire cake.

Garnish with additional nuts if desired.

Tips for Easter Hummingbird Cake

• Select overripe, soft bananas with dark spots for maximum sweetness and intense banana flavor in your cake.
• Squeeze excess liquid from crushed pineapple to prevent a soggy cake texture and maintain proper batter consistency.
• Ensure eggs and cream cheese are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better cake texture.
• Gently fold dry and wet ingredients just until combined to prevent tough, dense cake layers.
• Refrigerate frosted cake in an airtight container for up to 4 days, allowing flavors to meld and develop.

Variations for Easter Hummingbird Cake

• Gluten-Free Hummingbird Cake: Replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend, ensuring no cross-contamination during preparation.
• Vegan Easter Cake: Substitute eggs with mashed bananas or flax eggs, use coconut oil instead of vegetable oil, and create dairy-free cream cheese frosting with cashew-based alternative.
• Reduced-Sugar Version: Swap white sugar with coconut sugar or stevia, use unsweetened crushed pineapple, and decrease overall sugar content while maintaining cake's moisture.
• Tropical Nut-Free Adaptation: Remove pecans completely, add shredded coconut for extra texture, and include diced mangoes for a tropical flavor profile enhancement.

Best Pairings for Easter Hummingbird Cake

Select a luscious Moscato or late-harvest Riesling to complement the cake’s tropical fruit and banana flavors, enhancing the dessert’s richness.

Brew a medium-roast Colombian coffee with subtle caramel notes that harmonize perfectly with the cake’s spiced sweetness and cream cheese frosting.

Serve cold milk or a vanilla-infused almond milk to balance the cake’s dense texture and provide a smooth, refreshing counterpoint to the rich dessert.

Add toasted pecans or walnuts alongside the cake to introduce a crunchy contrast and highlight the cake’s nutty undertones, creating a delightful textural experience.

Storage Tips for Easter Hummingbird Cake

• Store covered cake in airtight container for up to 5 days, keeping cream cheese frosting fresh and preventing drying.
• Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, preserving moisture and flavor for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
• Individually wrap cake slices in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bag, allowing easy single-serving defrosting for quick enjoyment.
• Keep cake at cool room temperature for 1-2 days, covering with cake dome or loosely tenting with foil to maintain softness.

FAQs

• What are the key ingredients in a Hummingbird Cake?

The key ingredients are flour, sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, crushed pineapple, mashed bananas, cream cheese, and optional chopped nuts. These ingredients create a moist, flavorful Southern-style cake with tropical fruit notes.

• Is Hummingbird Cake difficult to make?

Not at all! It’s a straightforward cake recipe that requires basic mixing techniques. As long as you follow the steps carefully and measure ingredients accurately, even beginner bakers can successfully make this delicious cake.

• Why is it called Hummingbird Cake?

The cake got its name from the Southern United States, likely because its sweet flavor would attract hummingbirds. It became popular in the 1970s after being published in Southern Living magazine, becoming a beloved Southern dessert.

Easter Hummingbird Cake Recipe

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• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Sweet Southern charm meets tropical delight in this Easter Hummingbird Cake, blending ripe bananas, crushed pineapple, and warm spices into a moist, celebratory masterpiece. Cream cheese frosting crowns this classic dessert, inviting you to savor a slice of pure Southern hospitality.

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Ingredients

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Primary Cake Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 3 ripe bananas
• 1 cup crushed pineapple
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Dry Spices and Leavening Agents:

• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Frosting Ingredients:

• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Prepare baking equipment by greasing two 9-inch round cake pans and heating oven to 350F (175C).
2. Combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl, whisking flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon until thoroughly blended.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs and vegetable oil until smooth and well incorporated.
4. Gently fold crushed pineapple and mashed bananas into the egg mixture, ensuring even distribution.
5. Gradually incorporate dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring until just combined and avoiding overmixing.
6. Softly fold chopped nuts into batter if desired, maintaining a light texture.
7. Distribute batter evenly between prepared cake pans, creating smooth surface layers.
8. Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until cakes turn golden brown and pass the toothpick test.
9. Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to wire cooling racks.
10. Prepare cream cheese frosting by beating cream cheese until silky and smooth.
11. Gradually integrate powdered sugar and vanilla extract, whipping until frosting becomes light and fluffy.
12. Once cakes have completely cooled, generously spread cream cheese frosting between layers and over entire cake surface.

Notes

• Adapt the cake for gluten-free diets by substituting all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend, ensuring the texture remains moist and tender.
• Reduce sugar content by using ripe, sweet bananas and adding monk fruit sweetener for a lower-calorie version without compromising flavor.
• Toast chopped pecans or walnuts before adding to enhance their nutty flavor and provide a delightful crunch throughout the cake.
• Control moisture by gently draining excess liquid from crushed pineapple to prevent a soggy cake texture and maintain perfect consistency.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 350 kcal
• Sugar: 28 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg