Fluffy Southern Hummingbird Cake Recipe: Ina Garten’s Magic Touch

Indulge in a slice of southern comfort with this delectable hummingbird cake recipe that pays homage to Ina Garten’s culinary magic.

Ripe bananas, crushed pineapple, and toasted pecans dance together in a moist, tender crumb that promises pure delight.

The cake layers whisper sweet promises of tropical flavors and nostalgic warmth.

Soft cream cheese frosting blankets each layer, creating a dessert that’s both rustic and elegant.

Bakers of all skill levels can master this crowd-pleasing treat with simple ingredients and straightforward techniques.

Grab your mixing bowl and let this irresistible hummingbird cake become the star of your next gathering.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 570 kcal

Servings: 8

The Essentials in Ina Garten’s Hummingbird Cake

• Pecans: Toasting brings out a rich, nutty flavor and adds delightful crunch to the cake's texture.
• Bananas: Overripe bananas create natural sweetness and ensure a moist, tender cake.
• Pineapple: Adds tropical brightness and helps keep the cake incredibly juicy.

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the cake's structural foundation and helps bind ingredients.
• Cinnamon: Introduces warm, comforting aroma that complements the tropical fruits.
• Nutmeg: Delivers subtle, sophisticated depth to the cake's spice profile.
• Ginger: Brings a zesty, slightly sharp note that brightens the overall flavor.
• Baking Soda: Ensures proper rising and creates a light, airy cake texture.
• Salt: Enhances and balances the cake's complex sweet and spicy notes.

• Eggs: Create structure and help bind the cake's ingredients together.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a tender crumb.
• Vegetable Oil: Keeps the cake incredibly moist and soft.
• Cream Cheese: Forms the base of a luxuriously smooth, tangy frosting.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a creamy frosting texture.
• Confectioners' Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes the frosting.
• Lemon Zest: Introduces bright, citrusy freshness to the frosting.
• Vanilla: Rounds out flavors and adds a classic, comforting undertone.

Tools That Make This Tropical Cake a Breeze

• Baking Pans: Two 8-inch round cake pans for perfect cake layers.
• Parchment Paper: Essential for easy cake removal and preventing sticking.
• Baking Sheet: Used for toasting pecans evenly.
• Mixer: Electric mixer for beating eggs, sugar, and creating fluffy frosting.
• Large Mixing Bowls: For combining dry ingredients and mixing batter.
• Small Bowl: For tossing pecans and fruits with flour.
• Whisk: To blend dry ingredients smoothly.
• Spatula: For gentle folding and spreading frosting.
• Toothpick: To test cake doneness.
• Cooling Rack: To cool cakes evenly after baking.
• Sifter: For smoothly incorporating confectioners' sugar into frosting.
• Serving Plate: To present and serve the finished cake.

Ina’s Step-by-Step for Her Sweet, Spiced Layer Cake

Tropical Paradise Delight

• Oven Preparation Warm and welcoming kitchen space ready for baking magic. Grab two round cake pans and lovingly coat them with butter, line with silky parchment paper, then dust with a light flour blanket.
• Nutty Treasure Scattered pecans transform into golden delights after a quick dance in the oven. Their rich aroma signals they're perfectly toasted and ready to be roughly chopped.
• Fruit Symphony Gently mix chopped pecans with sweet banana chunks and tangy pineapple pieces. These ingredients promise a burst of tropical excitement in every bite.
• Dry Ingredient Harmony Whisk together flour, warm spices like cinnamon and ginger, creating a foundation that whispers comfort and adventure.
• Batter Creation Whip eggs and sugar into a dreamy, cloud-like mixture. Slowly introduce vegetable oil, then fold in the spiced flour and fruity companions with tender care.
• Baking Moment Pour the luscious batter into prepared pans. Let the oven work its transformative magic until a gentle toothpick test reveals a perfectly baked cake.
• Creamy Frosting Clouds Whip cream cheese until pillowy, gradually introducing butter. Sift powdered sugar, add a hint of lemon zest and vanilla for a bright, irresistible finish.
• Cake Assembly Stack cake layers with generosity, spreading frosting between and around, creating a masterpiece that promises pure joy in every slice.

Customize With or Without Coconut or Nuts

• Enhance the pecans' flavor by carefully toasting them in the oven until they release a rich, nutty aroma. Watch closely to prevent burning and achieve a perfect golden-brown color.
• Use ripe, spotty bananas for maximum sweetness and moisture in the cake. Drain canned pineapple thoroughly to prevent excess liquid from making the batter too wet.
• Fold the fruit and nut mixture gently into the batter to maintain the cake's light, tender crumb. Overmixing can lead to a dense, tough texture that nobody wants.
• Keep cream cheese and butter at room temperature for the smoothest, lump-free frosting. Sift the confectioners' sugar to eliminate any annoying clumps and create a silky-smooth finish.
• Store the completed hummingbird cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Let it come to room temperature before serving to enjoy the full depth of flavors and optimal texture.

How to Serve a Slice That Impresses

• Serve Alongside Tropical Beverages: Pair the hummingbird cake with refreshing coconut water, mango smoothies, or passion fruit mocktails to enhance the tropical fruit flavors.
• Garnish with Fresh Fruit: Decorate the cake's edges with thinly sliced bananas, caramelized pineapple chunks, or toasted coconut flakes for a stunning presentation.
• Create Complementary Dessert Platter: Arrange small cake slices with additional tropical fruits like kiwi, mango, and passion fruit to create an elegant and colorful dessert spread.
• Host a Southern-Style Gathering: Serve the cake during afternoon tea or as a delightful centerpiece for a brunch celebration, inviting friends to enjoy this classic Southern treat.

Storing Leftovers of This Southern Favorite

• Refrigerate and Reserve Wisely: Store the hummingbird cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover each slice or the entire cake with plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
• Freeze for Future Enjoyment: Wrap individual cake layers or the whole frosted cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving to preserve texture and flavor.
• Room Temperature Strategy: Remove the cake from the refrigerator 30-45 minutes before serving. Letting it sit at room temperature helps soften the frosting and enhances the cake's delicate flavors, creating a more enjoyable eating experience.
• Slice and Separate Smart: When storing cake slices, place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. This technique keeps each slice looking pristine and prevents the frosting from getting smudged or damaged during storage.

Elegant Hummingbird Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Classic southern Ina Garten hummingbird cake blends bananas, pineapple, and pecans in a moist layer cake with cream cheese frosting. Delightful dessert brings comfort and sweetness to gatherings where you’ll savor each memorable slice.

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Ingredients

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• 2 ¾ cups (345g) all-purpose flour
• 3 large eggs
• 1 ¾ cups (350g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (240ml) vegetable oil
• 1 cup (115g) pecan pieces
• 3 ripe bananas, chopped
• ½ cup (120g) finely chopped fresh pineapple
• 1 ¼ tsps baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp freshly grated nutmeg
• ½ tsp ground ginger
• 2 packages cream cheese (8 oz or 225g each)
• 12 tbsps (170g) unsalted butter
• 2 cups (250g) confectioners’ sugar
• 1 tbsp finely grated lemon zest
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Unsalted butter, for greasing

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour two 8-inch cake pans, line with parchment paper.
2. Pecan Toasting: Spread pecans on baking sheet and roast for 8 minutes until fragrant. Cool and chop coarsely.
3. Fruit Mixture: Combine pecans, bananas, and pineapple in a mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution.
4. Dry Ingredients: Whisk flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl until thoroughly blended.
5. Batter Creation: Whip eggs and sugar until thick and pale. Gradually add vegetable oil, then gently fold in flour mixture to create a smooth batter.
6. Fruit Integration: Delicately fold pecan-fruit mixture into batter, maintaining its light texture.
7. Baking Process: Divide batter between prepared pans and bake for 50-55 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean and cake surface turns golden brown.
8. Cooling Stage: Let cakes rest in pans for 25 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
9. Frosting Preparation: Beat cream cheese until fluffy, gradually adding butter to create a smooth consistency.
10. Frosting Finalization: Sift confectioners’ sugar into cream cheese mixture, beating until silky. Add lemon zest and vanilla extract, continuing to beat until light and airy.
11. Cake Assembly: Place first cake layer on serving plate, spread half the frosting. Position second layer on top, then cover entire cake with remaining frosting.

Notes

• Master Pecan Toasting: Toast pecans carefully until they release a rich, nutty aroma to enhance the cake’s deep flavor profile and add crucial textural complexity.
• Prevent Fruit Sinking: Toss banana and pineapple pieces with flour before adding to batter to prevent ingredient settlement during baking and ensure even distribution.
• Achieve Perfect Batter Consistency: Beat eggs and sugar until thick and pale for at least 5 minutes to create a light, airy cake texture that guarantees exceptional moisture and tenderness.
• Frosting Finesse: Ensure cream cheese and butter are at room temperature for smooth, lump-free frosting that spreads effortlessly and creates a luxurious cake finish.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 570
• Sugar: 56g
• Sodium: 320mg
• Fat: 33g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 23g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 63g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 6g
• Cholesterol: 80mg