Banana-pineapple spice cake with cream cheese frosting
Hummingbird Cake
Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
30 min
Total Time
50 min
Servings
14
1 three-layer cake
Difficulty
Medium
Cost
Moderate
$$
Hummingbird Cake
Banana-pineapple spice cake with cream cheese frosting
★4.6(17)
A lush Southern layer cake packed with bananas, crushed pineapple, pecans, and warm spices, covered in tangy cream cheese frosting. A Southern Living icon since 1978.
20m
Prep Time
30m
Cook Time
50m
Total Time
14
Servings
Medium
Difficulty
Moderate $$
Cost
Sarah Chen
(Updated )
Hummingbird cake is the most requested recipe in Southern Living history—a moist, fruity spice cake that tastes like banana bread's elegant cousin dressed up for a party.
This is the kind of recipe that defines American home cooking at its best — straightforward, satisfying, and built on flavors that everyone loves.
This recipe represents the best of American home cooking — unpretentious, generous, and built to satisfy. Hummingbird Cake is the kind of dish that brings people to the table and keeps them coming back for seconds. It draws on the diverse culinary traditions that have shaped American food culture, combining familiar flavors with techniques that produce consistently excellent results.
Successful baking comes down to precision and patience. Measure carefully, follow the order of operations, and trust the recipe. The oven does most of the work — your job is to set it up for success with properly mixed ingredients, the right temperature, and restraint (no peeking during the first two-thirds of baking time).
Ingredients
- 3 cups flour, 2 cups sugar, and 1 tsp each baking soda and cinnamon
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 can (8 oz) crushed pineapple, undrained
- 1 cup vegetable oil and 3 eggs
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 16 oz cream cheese and 1/2 cup butter for frosting
Instructions
- 1
Mix flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and 1/2 tsp salt. Stir in oil and eggs until combined.
- 2
Fold in mashed bananas, crushed pineapple with juice, pecans, and 1.5 tsp vanilla.
- 3
Divide among three greased and floured 9-inch round pans.
- 4
Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
- 5
Beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy, add 4 cups powdered sugar and 1 tsp vanilla. Frost between layers and all over. Press pecans around the sides.
Serving Suggestions
Ways to Serve This Dish
Serve with classic coleslaw and cornbread on the side
Pair with fresh-cut fries or roasted potato wedges
Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream
Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with chocolate sauce before serving
Substitutions
PecansWalnuts or toasted coconut
Walnuts are a fine substitute; coconut adds tropical flair
Vegetable oilMelted coconut oil
Adds a subtle tropical flavor that complements the pineapple
Tips & Storage
Pro Tips
Use very ripe bananas—the browner the better for the most intense banana flavor.
Drain the pineapple just slightly; some juice keeps the cake moist, but too much makes it soggy.
Measure baking ingredients by weight when possible. Baking is chemistry, and precision matters more than in any other type of cooking.
Bring butter, eggs, and dairy to room temperature before mixing. Cold ingredients do not emulsify properly and can produce tough, uneven results.
Storage
Refrigerate frosted cake up to 5 days. The cake stays moist thanks to the fruit.
Reheating
Most baked goods are best at room temperature. If frozen, thaw in the refrigerator overnight then bring to room temperature. Some items benefit from a brief warm-up in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes.
Recipe Notes from Our Kitchen
Editor's Note
Editor's note: Read the entire recipe before starting. Baking rewards preparation — having everything measured and at the right temperature before you begin makes the process smooth and the results consistent.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (55mg) · 14 servings
Calories480
LowModerateHigh
A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Protein6g
Carbohydrates24g
Fat64g
Fiber320mg
Sugar2g
Sodium46g
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is it called hummingbird cake?
- The exact origin is debated, but it may relate to the cake being sweet enough to attract hummingbirds.
- Can I make cupcakes?
- Yes—fill liners 2/3 full and bake at 350°F for 18-22 minutes.
- Can I substitute the sugar?
- In baking, sugar does more than sweeten — it affects texture, browning, and moisture. You can reduce by up to 25% without major issues, but substituting entirely often changes the result significantly.
- Why did my recipe not turn out right?
- The most common causes are inaccurate measuring, incorrect oven temperature (use an oven thermometer), or substituting ingredients. Baking is chemistry — precision matters more than in any other type of cooking.
About Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
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