There is so much that I love about the South: the charming homes, unmatched hospitality, and, last but not least, the Southern cuisine.Hummingbird Cakeis a beautiful Southern classic that is moist, dense, and full of flavor.

side view entire rustic frosted hummingbird cake on a teal stand.

If you haven’t heard of hummingbird cake before, you are in for adelicious treat. It is a cake made with mashed banana, crushed pineapple, and pecans, topped with a rich cream cheese frosting. I have yet to meet someone who doesn’t devour it!

People love this cake.It makes a great dessert for summer gatherings, backyard parties, or Sunday dinners.

complete hummingbird cake on a teal stand and a slice taken out in front of it.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

A true Southern cake recipe withsimple ingredients combined together to makea truly delicious treat.
Most ingredients are shelf-stable and can be found in your pantry year-round.
Make in a regular 9×13 cake panor wow everyone with alayered cake!

Recipe Ingredients

Flour –All-purpose flour is fine in this dense cake recipe
Sugar –Regular granulated sugar and powdered sugar
Baking soda
Cinnamon
Eggs
Butter– Either salted or unsalted;if using salted butter, use less salt than called for in the recipe
Vanilla
Crushed pineapple –Find this in the canned fruit section
Bananas –I prefer overripe bananas
Pecans
Cream cheese

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.

close up of a slice of humingbird cake with white frosting on a white plate and a fork.

How to Make Hummingbird Cake

Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl. Then, add the wet ingredients, bananas, and pecans. Mix well to combine.
Bake until done and allow to cool.
Make frosting.
Assemble the cake, adding pineapple frosting between layers, and finish frosting the outside when fully assembled.

Recipe FAQs

What does hummingbird cake taste like?

This delightful cake crosses the taste of banana bread and carrot cake. The pineapple taste is subtle, but it totally makes the cake, in my opinion. It is perfectly spiced and oh-so moist.

What bananas work best in hummingbird cake?

I prefer to use overripe bananas (the ones with brown spots on them sitting on your counter) for this cake. This will create an unmatched flavor!

How can I tell when a cake is done baking?

You can always use the famous trick of inserting a toothpick into the center of the cake. If the toothpick comes out clean, it is properly baked. With a cake, I often use the bounce-back test as well. Carefully press a finger down on the cake. If the cake bounces back, it is done. However, if the finger leaves a dent, then it needs a bit more time.

top view of hummingbird cake with banana chips and candied walnuts on top.

Expert Tips

The cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or when you lightly press on the cake and it springs back.If touching it leaves an indent, bake it a few minutes longer.
If you’re short on time,this cake can be made in a 9×13-inch cake pan. Poke holes in the top of the cake after removing it from the oven, and spread the pineapple frosting over the top after the cake has cooled a bit. Cover with the rest of the cream cheese frosting and add any decorative touches if desired.
When using salted butter, usually you will want to decrease the saltcalled for in a recipe just a bit.

How to Store Hummingbird Cake

Since this cake has fruit and cream cheese frosting, it isbest preserved in the refrigerator. It will last for up to a week in the fridge. It is also a great cake to make ahead a day or two because the flavors marry together in the most delicious manner.

What to Serve With Hummingbird Cake

This impressive Southern recipe is the perfect choice for an adult birthday party, a ladies’ tea, or a Mother’s Day luncheon.Take it to the next level by serving Hummingbird Cake with an equally delicious drink.

My favorite drinks to serve on a special occasion with Hummingbird cake:

Where Did Hummingbird Cake Recipe Come

Who came up with this fun, tropical-tasting cake? Thehummingbird cake originated from Jamaicawhere it was called the “Doctor Bird” cake. Thedoctor birdis a nickname for Jamaica’s national bird, which is the red-billed streamertail hummingbird. It is rumored that this cake is sweet enough to attract hummingbirds, and I would have to agree.

In 1978, the hummingbird cake was submitted toSouthern Livingby Mrs. L.H. Wigginsof Greensboro, North Carolina. It went viral in the 70s and for good reason!It remains the most requested recipe in the magazine’s history.