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Easy Hummingbird Cake Recipe – Classic Southern Banana Pineapple Layer Cake

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This classic Hummingbird Cake is a rich Southern layer cake made with ripe bananas, crushed pineapple, and pecans, all wrapped in a moist spiced crumb and topped with tangy cream cheese frosting. It’s incredibly flavorful, soft, and a true crowd-pleasing dessert.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Yield: 15 servings

Ingredients

Scale
  • Cake:
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2/3 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 cup oil (vegetable, canola, or avocado)
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup mashed ripe banana (about 23 bananas)
  • 10 oz crushed pineapple, well-drained
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup chopped toasted pecans (optional)
  • Cream Cheese Frosting:
  • 16 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 3/4 cup butter, softened
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 45 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and line three 8-inch cake pans.
  2. Beat eggs, sugars, oil, buttermilk, and vanilla until smooth.
  3. Mix in mashed bananas and drained pineapple.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice, and salt.
  5. Combine wet and dry ingredients until just mixed.
  6. Fold in pecans if using.
  7. Divide batter into pans and bake 28–35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
  8. Cool completely on wire racks.
  9. For frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
  10. Add vanilla and gradually mix in powdered sugar until fluffy.
  11. Assemble cake layers with frosting between each layer and around the outside.
  12. Garnish with pecans if desired and chill before serving.

Notes

  • Use very ripe bananas for best flavor.
  • Drain pineapple well to prevent excess moisture.
  • Cake layers and frosting can be made ahead and refrigerated or frozen.
  • Author: Emma
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: American