Best 5 Potluck Hummingbird Cake Recipes

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Indulge in the delightful Hummingbird Cake, a Southern classic that promises a flavor explosion in every bite. This iconic cake features a combination of moist banana cake layers, sweet pineapple, and crunchy pecans, all enveloped in a luscious cream cheese frosting. With its captivating flavors and stunning appearance, the Hummingbird Cake is the centerpiece of any potluck or special occasion.

This recipe article provides two variations of this delectable treat: the Classic Hummingbird Cake and the Pineapple Hummingbird Cake. The Classic Hummingbird Cake stays true to the traditional recipe, delivering a harmonious balance of flavors with its moist banana cake, pineapple chunks, and pecans. The Pineapple Hummingbird Cake, on the other hand, enhances the pineapple element with crushed pineapple in the cake batter and a pineapple glaze, resulting in a tropical twist that will tantalize your taste buds.

Both recipes offer step-by-step instructions, ensuring that even novice bakers can create this culinary masterpiece. The article also includes helpful tips and suggestions for perfecting your Hummingbird Cake, ensuring a moist and flavorful cake every time.

Whether you prefer the classic or pineapple variation, the Hummingbird Cake is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Its vibrant flavors, stunning appearance, and ease of preparation make it an ideal choice for any gathering or celebration. Embrace the Southern charm of this beloved cake and let it become a staple in your dessert repertoire.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

HUMMINGBIRD CAKE



Hummingbird Cake image

Treat your guests with this classic hummingbird cake made using Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ cake mix, pineapple and banana-a perfect dessert for potluck party!

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h55m

Yield 15

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 can (8 oz) crushed pineapple in juice, undrained
1 jar (10 oz) maraschino cherries, well drained, finely chopped (1/2 cup)
1 box Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ lemon cake mix
1 cup mashed very ripe bananas (about 2 medium)*
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 eggs
1 cup powdered sugar
1 to 2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla or clear vanilla
1/2 cup Betty Crocker™ Rich & Creamy vanilla frosting

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Generously grease bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with shortening; lightly flour or spray with baking spray with flour.
  • Drain pineapple in colander set over a bowl, pushing pineapple against side and bottom of colander with back of spoon to squeeze out as much juice as possible; reserve juice. Drain chopped cherries on paper towels; pat dry.
  • Add enough water, if necessary, to reserved pineapple juice to measure 1/3 cup. In large bowl, beat cake mix, pineapple, bananas, oil, cinnamon, pineapple juice mixture and eggs with electric mixer on low speed 2 minutes. Stir in cherries. Pour into pan.
  • Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until cake springs back when touched lightly in center. Run knife around side of pan to loosen cake. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
  • To make the Homemade Vanilla Glaze, in medium bowl, mix powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon milk and the vanilla. Stir in additional milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, until smooth and consistency of thick syrup.
  • To make the Easy Vanilla Glaze, spoon frosting from container into microwavable bowl. Microwave uncovered on High about 15 seconds or until frosting can be stirred smooth and is thin enough to drizzle. (Or spoon frosting into 1-quart saucepan and heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until thin enough to drizzle.)
  • Spread glaze over top of cake. Store cake loosely covered at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 290, Carbohydrate 42 g, Cholesterol 40 mg, Fat 2 1/2, Fiber 0 g, Protein 2 g, SaturatedFat 2 1/2 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 260 mg, Sugar 27 g, TransFat 1 1/2 g

HUMMINGBIRD CAKE



Hummingbird Cake image

This impressive hummingbird cake is my dad's favorite, so I always make it for his birthday. It makes a memorable dessert for any celebration and is lovely with a summer meal. -Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 1h5m

Yield 14 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 20

2 cups mashed ripe bananas
1-1/2 cups canola oil
3 large eggs, room temperature
1 can (8 ounces) unsweetened crushed pineapple, undrained
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup chopped walnuts
PINEAPPLE FROSTING:
1/4 cup shortening
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened pineapple juice
2 teaspoons half-and-half cream
Chopped walnuts, optional

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, beat the bananas, oil, eggs, pineapple and vanilla until well blended. In another bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, baking soda and cinnamon; gradually beat into banana mixture until blended. Stir in walnuts. , Pour into 3 greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 25-30 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. , For frosting, in a large bowl, beat the shortening, butter, lemon zest and salt until fluffy. Add confectioners' sugar alternately with pineapple juice. Beat in cream. Spread between layers and over top and sides of cake. If desired, sprinkle with walnuts.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 777 calories, Fat 35g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 50mg cholesterol, Sodium 333mg sodium, Carbohydrate 113g carbohydrate (85g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 7g protein.

POTLUCK HUMMINGBIRD CAKE



Potluck Hummingbird Cake image

I love this cake. Adapted from the recipe of the "cake mix doctor" this is a heavy, flavorful, tasty cake. Great way to use us a few leftover bananas! Enjoy...

Provided by LAURIE

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h15m

Yield 18-20 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 package yellow cake mix with pudding (2 layer size)
1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple with juice (undrained)
1 cup mashed ripe banana (2-3 medium sized)
1 jar maraschino cherry, halves drained
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted and divided
8 ounces cream cheese, softened at room temp
1/2 cup butter, softened at room temp
3 3/4 cups sifted powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • (If you havent toasted the pecans, now is the perfect time to do it while the oven is preheating. Just spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet and place in the oven for 5-6 minutes or until you can smell them toasting.) Grease and flour a 12 cup bundt pan.
  • Mix on low speed for 1 minute the cake mix, pineapple and juice, bananas, water, oil, eggs, vanilla and cinnamon.
  • Stop mixer and scrape down, then mix at medium speed for 2 minutes more.
  • Stir in by hand the cherries and 1/2 cup nuts.
  • Batter will be thick and fruit well blended.
  • Pour into bundt pan.
  • Bake on middle rack for 50-60 minutes.
  • Cake will be golden and spring back when touched.
  • Cool in pan for 20 minutes then invert and cool completely.
  • Make the cream cheese frosting.
  • Mix the cream cheese and butter on low 30 seconds.
  • Add the sugar, slowly still at low speed until well blended.
  • Add vanilla, increase to medium and beat 1 minute.
  • Frost cooled cake and sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup pecans.
  • Store in the refrigerator up to one week.
  • Can be frozen up to 6 months.
  • Thaw overnite in the refrigerator before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 425.2, Fat 23.5, SaturatedFat 7.8, Cholesterol 58.4, Sodium 298.2, Carbohydrate 51.7, Fiber 1.1, Sugar 39.1, Protein 3.7

HUMMINGBIRD CAKE



Hummingbird Cake image

This is a delicious cake which is very quick and easy to make. If you keep leftover bananas in the freezer, this can be whipped up at a moment's notice. PLEASE NOTE: cooking time indicated is for a bundt pan. The directions also list cooking times for a loaf pan and a layer cake pan.

Provided by dojemi

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h15m

Yield 1 cake

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 cups all-purpose flour (no need to sift it)
2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
3 eggs (extra large)
1 cup mild vegetable oil (e.g., corn oil or canola oil)
1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained (about 1 cup)
1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts, about 4-6 ounces)
2 large bananas, peeled and coarsely chopped
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
8 tablespoons butter, softened (margarine can be substituted)
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (1 lb) package powdered sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Grease and flour 1 (10-inch) bundt pan, 2 (8x4x2-inch) loaf pans, or 3 (8 inch) layer cake pans. Set aside.
  • Using wire whisk, stir together dry ingredients to simulate sifting. Set aside.
  • Break eggs into large mixing bowl. Beat until thick and lemon-colored.
  • Add all other cake ingredients (oil, pineapple, nuts, banana, and vanilla) Mix well.
  • Gently stir in reserved flour mixture. Mix only until lumps are gone and dry ingredients are moistened.
  • Pour into greased and floured pan(s).
  • Place pan(s) on center shelf of oven.
  • Bake until toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean (about 1 hour for bundt pan, 50 minutes for loaf pans, or 25-30 minutes for layer cake pans).
  • Place pan(s) on wire rack for 10 minutes.
  • Invert cake onto rack and allow to cool completely.
  • For frosting, blend together the cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla extract.
  • Frost top of cake with cream cheese frosting.
  • This freezes well.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 9605.1, Fat 513.9, SaturatedFat 156, Cholesterol 1128.2, Sodium 5929, Carbohydrate 1202.4, Fiber 35.4, Sugar 922.8, Protein 102.3

HUMMINGBIRD CAKE



Hummingbird Cake image

This super-simple tropical cake contains a hefty amount of mashed bananas and crushed pineapple. Often associated with the American South, where it is believed to have adopted a cream cheese frosting, it most likely originated in Jamaica, where it was called a Doctor Bird Cake. ("Doctor bird" is the nickname of Jamaica's national bird, the red-billed streamertail hummingbird.) Some say this cake is sweet enough to attract even hummingbirds, while others say the name derives from how bananas, a key ingredient in the cake, resemble the bird's beak. The end result tastes similar to banana bread, but with the moistness and flavor of a spice-filled carrot cake.

Provided by Vallery Lomas

Categories     snack, cakes, dessert

Time 1h

Yield 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 19

Nonstick baking spray
3 3/4 cups/480 grams all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3 large eggs, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups/340 grams overripe mashed bananas (about 3 bananas)
1 packed cup/220 grams dark brown sugar
1 cup/200 grams granulated sugar
1 cup/240 milliliters vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 (8-ounce/227-gram) cans crushed pineapple in juice (about 1 3/4 cups)
3/4 cup/85 grams chopped toasted pecan halves
2 (8-ounce/226-gram) packages cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup/225 grams unsalted butter (2 sticks), at room temperature
7 1/3 cups/905 grams confectioners' sugar
4 teaspoons vanilla extract
Heaping 3/4 cup/85 grams toasted pecan halves, for garnish
Dried pineapple rings and edible flowers, for garnish

Steps:

  • Prepare the cake: Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease three (9-inch) cake pans with nonstick baking spray. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. In a second large bowl, whisk together the eggs, mashed bananas, sugars, oil and vanilla.
  • Make a well in the dry ingredients and add the wet ingredients to the center of the well. Gently fold using a rubber spatula to combine. Add the pineapple and pecans, and fold again until just incorporated.
  • Divide the batter evenly among the cake pans. Bake until golden, cooked through and an inserted toothpick comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Move the cakes to a wire baking rack to cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then, remove from the pans and allow to cool completely on the wire racks
  • As cakes cool, make the cream cheese frosting: In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the cream cheese, butter, confectioners' sugar and vanilla. Mix on low speed until all the ingredients just come together. Then, increase the speed to medium and mix until creamy and smooth, about 5 minutes.
  • Assemble the cake: Place the first layer of the cake top-side down onto a cake stand or plate. Spread the top with cream cheese frosting. Repeat with the second two layers, always placing the top side down to create a very flat surface. Frost the top and sides of the cake.
  • Place whole toasted pecan halves around the rim of the cake. Garnish with the dried pineapple and edible flowers, as desired. Slice and serve.

Tips:

  • Use fresh pineapple: Fresh pineapple gives the cake a brighter flavor and more moisture. If you don't have fresh pineapple, you can use canned pineapple, but be sure to drain it well.
  • Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing the batter can make the cake tough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
  • Bake the cake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean: This usually takes about 45 minutes, but it can vary depending on your oven.
  • Let the cake cool completely: Before frosting the cake, let it cool completely. This will help the frosting to set properly.
  • Use a cream cheese frosting: A cream cheese frosting is the perfect complement to the hummingbird cake. It's rich and creamy, with a slightly tangy flavor that balances out the sweetness of the cake.

Conclusion:

A hummingbird cake is a delicious and easy-to-make cake that is perfect for any occasion. It's moist, flavorful, and has a beautiful presentation. With its sweet and tangy flavors, this cake is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. So next time you're looking for a special cake to make, give this hummingbird cake a try. You won't be disappointed!

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