Hummingbird Cake

Hummingbird Cake

from southernliving.com

A Southern gem, our classic Hummingbird Cake Recipe was submitted in 1978 by Mrs. L.H. Wiggins and boasts three incredibly moist layers flavored with canned pineapple and bananas.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pans
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 teaspoon table salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1.5 cups vegetable oil
  • 1.5 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 (8-oz.) can crushed pineapple in juice, undrained (such as Publix Crushed Pineapple in Pineapple Juice )
  • 2 cups chopped bananas (about 4 medium bananas)
  • 1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
  • Vegetable shortening
  • 2 (8-oz.) packages cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 2 (16-oz.) packages powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup pecan halves, toasted

Directions

  1. 1

    Prepare the Cake Layers: Preheat oven to 350°F. Whisk together flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon in a large bowl; add eggs and oil, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened. Stir in vanilla, pineapple, bananas, and toasted pecans.

  2. 2

    Divide batter evenly among 3 well-greased (with shortening) and floured 9-inch round cake pans.

  3. 3

    Bake in preheated oven until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks, and cool completely, about 1 hour.

  4. 4

    Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter with an electric mixer on medium-low speed until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating at low speed until blended after each addition. Stir in vanilla. Increase speed to medium-high, and beat until fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes.

  5. 5

    Assemble Cake: Place first cake layer on a serving platter; spread top with 1 cup of the frosting. Top with second layer, and spread with 1 cup frosting. Top with third layer, and spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake. Arrange pecan halves on top of cake in a circular pattern.