Hummingbird Cake

Hummingbird Cake

We have several hummingbirds that live in our backyard and their playful personalities bring me so much happiness and inspired my version of this delicious dessert. Hummingbird Cake is a sort of extra special banana bread with the addition of pineapple, pecans, and cashew cream cheese frosting. It’s perfect for Easter or any spring time occasion…and by spring time occasion, I mean any random Thursday afternoon. It’s especially nice eaten outdoors.

Hummingbird Cake

Prep Time2 hours
Cook Time35 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: banana, cake, hummingbird, hummingbirdcake, pecan, pineapple

Ingredients

Cake

  • 4 medium very ripe bananas
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup grapeseed or other neutral oil
  • 1/3 cup applesauce
  • 20 ounce can of crushed pineapple in juice, divided 10 ounces for the cake, 10 ounces for the filling
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 3/4 cup pecans Optional: toast in 325 degree oven for about 7 minutes and let cool before adding to batter.

Cake Filling

  • 10 ounces canned crushed pineapple in juice
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch

Cashew Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 3 cups raw unsalted cashews, soaked and drained Soak in hot water for about 1 hour.
  • 1/2 cup non-dairy milk such as soy or coconut
  • 1/4 cup agave nectar or maple syrup
  • 1/2 cup non-dairy sour cream We like Tofutti.
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup coconut shreds to garnish (optional)

Instructions

Cake

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Grease two 8 inch baking pans with vegan butter or oil. Add a round of parchment paper to the bottom of each pan (optional).
  • In a large bowl mash the bananas until fairly smooth.
  • To the bananas, add brown sugar, grapeseed oil, applesauce, crushed pineapple, and vanilla extract. Stir to combine.
  • In a separate bowl combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and pecans.
  • Add the flour mixture to the banana mixture a little a time, stirring to combine. The batter will be thick and there is no need to mix until completely smooth.
  • Divide batter evenly between the cake pans and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean (check the cakes at about 30 minutes).
  • Let cakes cool completely before frosting. Cakes can be made one day ahead and kept in the refrigerator until it is time to frost.

Cake Filling

  • In a small saucepan, combine 10 ounces crushed pineapple with the sugar and cornstarch.
  • Heat over low-medium heat, stirring often, until the mixture thickens (about 10 minutes). Remove from heat and allow to cool.

Cashew Cream Cheese Frosting

  • Combine cashews, non-dairy milk, agave nectar, non-dairy sour cream, and lemon juice in a high speed blender and blend until smooth. This may require several rounds of blending after scraping down the sides of the blender.
  • Add more non-dairy milk one tablespoon at a time to reach desired consistency. This frosting is easiest to work with if it is on the thicker side.
  • Allow frosting to cool in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes before frosting.

Assembling the cake

  • Remove one of the cooled cakes from the pan and place on serving plate.
  • Place frosting into a pastry bag or a plastic food storage bag with one corner cut off for piping.
  • Pipe a circle of frosting around the perimeter edge of the top of cake which will serve as a barrier to keep the filling from spilling out.
  • Place the filling in the middle of the circle of frosting and smooth until even.
  • Place the second layer of the cake on top. Use remaining frosting to frost the top of the cake.
  • Sprinkle the frosting with coconut shreds and decorate the top of the cake with non-toxic / edible flowers (optional).

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