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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour two 8-inch cake pans, line with parchment paper.
- Pecan Toasting: Spread pecans on baking sheet and roast for 8 minutes until fragrant. Cool and chop coarsely.
- Fruit Mixture: Combine pecans, bananas, and pineapple in a mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution.
- Dry Ingredients: Whisk flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl until thoroughly blended.
- 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.
- Fruit Integration: Delicately fold pecan-fruit mixture into batter, maintaining its light texture.
- 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.
- Cooling Stage: Let cakes rest in pans for 25 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
- Frosting Preparation: Beat cream cheese until fluffy, gradually adding butter to create a smooth consistency.
- 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.
- 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