Easy-to-Make Classic Hummingbird Cake

This hummingbird cake is a classic three-layered treat that is guaranteed to make you want more than just one bite. It’s a cake that I grew up eating and was always prepared by my Grandma whenever we came over to visit or during special occasions. Now, I want to try making my own version, so I searched for a simple recipe that I can learn online, and that’s when I found this one by Southern Living on YouTube.

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The steps were easy enough to follow and it was very similar to how my Grandma would make it, and I bet she will be surprised when she tastes my version of this yummy cake. If you also want to try this classic treat at home, then go ahead and follow the written instructions down below, and make sure to watch the video tutorial as well for more details.

Ingredients for Classic Hummingbird Cake:

Cake

• 3 cups of all-purpose flour
• 2 cups of granulated sugar
• 1 tsp of table salt
• 1 tsp of baking soda
• 1 tsp of ground cinnamon
• 3 large eggs, slightly beaten
• 1½ cups of vegetable oil
• 1½ tsp of vanilla extract
• 1 (8 oz) can of crushed pineapple
• 2 cups of chopped bananas
• 1 cup of toasted pecans, chopped
• Vegetable shortening

Cream Cheese Frosting

• 2 (8 oz) packages of cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup of unsalted butter, softened
• 16 oz or 2¼ cups of powdered sugar
• 2 tsp of vanilla extract

Additional

• 1 cup of pecan halves, toasted

How to Make Classic Hummingbird Cake:

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F, then generously grease three 9-inch round cake pans with vegetable shortening, and dust them with flour before setting them aside. In a large bowl, add the flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon, and whisk them until combined. Add the eggs and oil, then keep whisking just until moistened, add the vanilla extract, crushed pineapple, bananas, and toasted pecans, and stir to combine.

Step 2

Divide the batter evenly in the prepared cake pans, then place them in the preheated oven, and let them bake for about 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted at the center comes out clean. Let it cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes, then remove the cake from the pan, and transfer it to the wire rack to completely cool for about 1 hour.

Step 3

In a mixing bowl, add the cream cheese and butter, then beat them over medium-low speed until smooth, and gradually add the powdered sugar while beating continuously over low speed until incorporated. Add the vanilla extract, then give it a good mix, and increase the speed to medium-high beating the mixture for about 1 to 2 minutes until fluffy.

Step 4

Place a cake layer on the serving platter, then spread 1 cup of frosting on top, and repeat the layers with the remaining cake. Cover the entire cake with the remaining frosting, then decorate the top with the pecan halves in a circular pattern as shown in the video, and serve. Enjoy!

*All these images are credited to Southern Living via YouTube. Give their channel a visit and subscribe for more! 

Easy-to-Make Classic Hummingbird Cake