Description
Jamie Oliver’s Hummingbird Cake is a tropical-inspired dessert made with ripe bananas, crushed pineapple, and pecans, layered with a creamy cream cheese frosting. It’s a decadent and flavorful cake with Southern origins.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cake:
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- 2 cups plain flour
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- 1 teaspoon baking soda
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- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
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- 1/2 teaspoon salt
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- 1 cup granulated sugar
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- 1/2 cup brown sugar
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- 2 large eggs
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- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
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- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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- 1 cup ripe bananas, mashed (about 2 bananas)
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- 1 cup crushed pineapple, drained
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- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
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- 225g (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
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- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
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- 2 cups icing sugar (confectioner’s sugar), sifted
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- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Garnishes:
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- Extra chopped pecans
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- Fresh pineapple slices
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- A dusting of cinnamon
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Cake Batter
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- Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F) and grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans.
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- Whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl.
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- Mix the granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, oil, and vanilla extract in another bowl until well combined.
Step 2: Combine Ingredients
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- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Fold in the mashed bananas, crushed pineapple, and chopped pecans.
Step 3: Bake the Cakes
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- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
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- Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 4: Make the Frosting
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- In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the icing sugar and vanilla extract, beating until fluffy and well combined.
Step 5: Assemble the Cake
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- Place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread a layer of frosting on top. Add the second cake layer and frost the top and sides of the cake.
Step 6: Decorate and Serve
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- Garnish with chopped pecans, pineapple slices, or a dusting of cinnamon. Slice and serve.