Delightful Easter Hummingbird Cake Recipe

This Delightful Easter Hummingbird Cake is the perfect showstopper for your holiday table. It’s a moist, fruit-filled layer cake brimming with crushed pineapple, ripe bananas, and crunchy pecans, all wrapped in a rich, tangy cream cheese frosting. And here’s the best part—it’s incredibly simple to make. Whether you’re baking for Easter brunch or just craving something comforting and sweet, this Southern classic delivers warmth, texture, and a flavor that feels like a big hug in every bite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• One-Bowl Wonder: Everything comes together quickly—no need for multiple mixing bowls or complicated steps.
• Moist and Flavorful: Thanks to the natural sweetness of bananas and pineapple, this cake stays unbelievably moist and flavorful without needing extra effort.
• Crowd-Pleasing Classic: Hummingbird Cake is beloved for a reason—it’s nostalgic, satisfying, and always leaves guests asking for seconds.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: This cake tastes even better the next day, making it ideal for stress-free holiday prep.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gather up these essentials—many of which you probably already have on hand:

• All-purpose flour: The base of the cake, providing structure while still allowing for a tender crumb.
• Granulated sugar: For sweetness that balances the fruitiness without overpowering it.
• Ripe bananas: Mashed bananas bring in moisture and a natural, mellow sweetness.
• Crushed pineapple (with juice): Adds tang and juiciness, creating that signature Hummingbird texture.
• Chopped pecans: For a buttery crunch in every bite—don’t skip them unless there’s a nut allergy.
• Eggs: They bind the cake together and add richness.
• Vegetable oil: Keeps the cake extra moist and tender without any creaming.
• Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavor with its warm, aromatic notes.
• Ground cinnamon: Adds gentle spice that pairs beautifully with the fruit.
• Baking soda + Salt: Essential for lift and balance in flavor.
• Cream cheese: For the irresistible frosting—rich, tangy, and smooth.
• Butter: Softened, to make the frosting extra creamy and spreadable.
• Powdered sugar: To sweeten and thicken the frosting to that perfect fluffy consistency.

Variations

Make this cake your own with a few creative twists:

• Tropical Vibe: Add shredded coconut or chopped dried mango for a vacation-worthy flavor.
• Nut-Free Option: Omit the pecans and add in toasted sunflower seeds or extra fruit for texture.
• Mini Cakes or Cupcakes: Divide the batter into cupcake tins or mini bundts for adorable individual servings.
• Lighter Version: Swap half the oil with unsweetened applesauce for a slightly healthier take.

How to Make Delightful Easter Hummingbird Cake

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans, or line them with parchment paper for easy removal.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. This helps distribute everything evenly.

Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients

Add mashed bananas, crushed pineapple with juice, eggs, oil, and vanilla to the dry ingredients. Stir until just combined—no electric mixer needed!

Step 4: Fold in Pecans

Gently fold in the chopped pecans. The batter will be thick and chunky, and that’s exactly what you want.

Step 5: Bake the Layers

Divide the batter evenly between your prepared pans and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 6: Make the Frosting

In a bowl, beat together softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add vanilla, then gradually beat in powdered sugar until fluffy and spreadable.

Step 7: Assemble and Frost

Once the cakes are completely cool, frost the top of one layer, stack the second layer on top, and cover the entire cake with the remaining frosting. Decorate with chopped pecans or edible flowers for a festive touch.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

• Use Very Ripe Bananas: The browner the bananas, the better—they’re sweeter and mash easier, which enhances flavor and moisture.
• Don’t Overmix: Once the wet and dry ingredients meet, mix just until everything is combined. Overmixing can lead to a dense cake.
• Cool Completely Before Frosting: Rushing this step can lead to a runny, sliding frosting situation—trust me, it’s worth the wait.
• Toast Your Pecans: It only takes a few minutes and makes a huge difference in flavor.

How to Serve

This Hummingbird Cake is the perfect centerpiece for any spring or Easter table. Serve it chilled or at room temperature with a pot of freshly brewed tea or coffee. It pairs beautifully with light, fruity sides like a berry salad or a citrusy sorbet. For extra wow factor, garnish each slice with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon or fresh mint.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Cover the cake tightly and refrigerate for up to 5 days. The flavors deepen over time, so leftovers are even more delicious.

Freezing

Unfrosted cake layers can be wrapped well and frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before frosting.

Reheating

No need to reheat—this cake is best served cool or at room temperature.

FAQs

Can I make this cake a day ahead?
Absolutely. In fact, it’s even better the next day! The flavors meld beautifully, and the cake stays moist. Just refrigerate it in an airtight container overnight.

Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned?
Yes, but be sure to finely chop and include some of the juice. Canned crushed pineapple is easier and gives a consistent texture, but fresh works in a pinch.

What if I don’t have cream cheese for the frosting?
You can substitute with mascarpone or even a buttercream frosting, but the tangy cream cheese really balances the sweetness of the cake best.

Is it possible to make this gluten-free?
Definitely—just swap in a good-quality 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Make sure to check that your baking soda and other ingredients are certified gluten-free as well.

Final Thoughts

This Delightful Easter Hummingbird Cake is a celebration of everything springtime baking should be—vibrant, moist, full of personality, and incredibly easy to pull together. It’s the kind of cake that makes memories, whether you’re sharing it at a holiday gathering or enjoying a quiet slice with your morning coffee. Give it a try—you might just find your new favorite cake!

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