Hummingbird cake feels like sunshine baked into layers. Rich, moist, and packed with banana sweetness, crushed pineapple brightness, and warm cinnamon spice, this Southern classic is known for its deeply comforting flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Despite its tropical flavor profile, hummingbird cake has deep roots in Southern baking tradition. The cake became wildly popular because it delivered big flavor using simple pantry ingredients, creating a dessert that felt both luxurious and homemade.
Legend says the cake was named “hummingbird cake” because it’s sweet enough to attract hummingbirds, and honestly, one bite explains the name perfectly. Between the fruit-filled cake layers, crunchy nuts, and silky cream cheese frosting, every slice feels like a celebration.
Whether it’s baked for birthdays, holidays, brunch tables, or special family gatherings, hummingbird cake has a way of becoming the dessert people remember long after the plates are cleared.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Cake
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 can (8 oz) crushed pineapple, well drained
• 2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 4 medium bananas)
• 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional but traditional)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
• 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
• ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional garnish:
• Toasted pecans
• Shredded coconut
Kitchen Tools
• Mixing bowls
• Electric mixer or whisk
• Three 8-inch round cake pans
• Spatula
• Cooling rack
How to Make Hummingbird Cake Step by Step
1. Preheat and Prepare Your Pans
Preheat your oven to 175°C / 350°F.
Grease and lightly flour your cake pans or line them with parchment paper. Proper pan preparation ensures your delicate fruit-based cake layers release cleanly without breaking.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together:
• Flour
• Sugar
• Baking soda
• Cinnamon
• Salt
This dry mixture forms the structure of the cake while cinnamon introduces subtle warmth that balances the fruit flavors.
3. Prepare the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, combine:
• Eggs
• Vegetable oil
• Vanilla extract
Whisk until smooth, then stir in:
• Mashed ripe bananas
• Drained crushed pineapple
The bananas add natural sweetness and creamy moisture, while pineapple introduces gentle tanginess and tropical brightness.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gradually fold the wet ingredients into the dry mixture using a spatula or wooden spoon.
Mix gently until just combined. Overmixing can make the cake dense instead of soft and tender.
Fold in chopped pecans or walnuts if using. The nuts add contrast, crunch, and classic hummingbird texture.
5. Bake the Cake Layers
Divide the batter evenly among prepared pans.
Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Your kitchen will start smelling like caramelized fruit, warm spice, and toasted cake, one of hummingbird cake’s signature baking moments.
Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
6. Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
Gradually add powdered sugar while mixing, then stir in vanilla extract.
Continue beating until fluffy and spreadable. The frosting should be silky but stable enough to hold between layers.
7. Assemble the Hummingbird Cake
Place one cake layer on a serving plate.
Spread an even layer of cream cheese frosting across the top.
Repeat with the second layer, then place the final layer on top.
Frost the entire cake generously, smoothing the sides and top.
Finish by sprinkling toasted pecans or coconut flakes for visual texture and added flavor.
Tips for Perfect Hummingbird Cake
• Use very ripe bananas, they provide deeper sweetness and moisture
• Drain pineapple thoroughly to prevent soggy cake layers
• Fold ingredients gently to keep the cake tender
• Chill frosting slightly if it feels too soft while assembling
• Allow cake layers to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting
Fun Variations
Hummingbird Cupcakes : Bake batter in cupcake liners for portable, individual servings.
Coconut Hummingbird Cake : Add shredded coconut into the batter or frosting for enhanced tropical flavor.
Banana-Nut Hummingbird Cake : Skip pineapple and focus on banana and toasted nuts for a more classic comfort flavor.
Chocolate Hummingbird Cake : Add ¼ cup cocoa powder to the batter for a rich chocolate-fruit twist.
Why Hummingbird Cake Is So Loved
Hummingbird cake stands out because it balances indulgence with natural sweetness. Instead of relying solely on sugar, the cake draws flavor from bananas and pineapple, creating a dessert that feels rich yet vibrant.
The oil-based batter also keeps the cake incredibly moist, often tasting even better the next day as the fruit flavors deepen and blend together. It’s one of those cakes that feels nostalgic, celebratory, and comforting all at once.
Once you bake hummingbird cake, it often becomes a tradition. It’s the cake people request for celebrations, the one guests quietly go back for seconds, and the one that proves homemade baking still carries a special kind of magic. It’s sweet, warm, slightly nostalgic, and unforgettable, exactly what a great cake should be.
