Hummingbird Banana Pineapple Cake (Printable version)

A moist Southern cake with ripe bananas, crushed pineapple, toasted pecans, and creamy frosting.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cake

01 - 3 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 cups granulated sugar
03 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
05 - ½ teaspoon salt
06 - 3 large eggs, room temperature
07 - 1 cup vegetable oil
08 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
09 - 1 cup toasted pecans, chopped, plus additional for garnish
10 - 2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3 bananas)
11 - 1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple, undrained

→ Cream Cheese Frosting

12 - 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
13 - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
14 - 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
15 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
16 - Pinch of salt

# How to Make:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
03 - In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until well combined.
04 - Stir mashed bananas, crushed pineapple with juice, and chopped toasted pecans into the wet mixture.
05 - Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry until just combined, taking care not to overmix.
06 - Distribute the batter evenly among the prepared pans.
07 - Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
08 - Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
09 - Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
10 - Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt; beat until fluffy and spreadable.
11 - Spread frosting between cake layers and over the top and sides.
12 - Decorate the frosted cake with additional toasted pecans as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The bananas and pineapple create this naturally moist texture that stays tender for days, no dry cake frustration.
  • That cream cheese frosting cuts through the richness perfectly, making each bite feel balanced instead of heavy.
  • Toasted pecans add a nutty depth that transforms what could be a basic fruit cake into something memorable.
02 -
  • Don't skip toasting the pecans—raw pecans taste flat and one-dimensional, but toasted ones are where the magic happens.
  • If your cream cheese frosting seems too soft, it means your cream cheese or butter wasn't fully softened or your kitchen is warm; pop it in the fridge for 15 minutes before continuing.
  • The pineapple juice absolutely needs to stay in the batter—it's not a liquid you can drain off and replace with something else.
03 -
  • Divide your batter carefully into three equal portions—use a scale if you have one, or a measuring cup if you don't, because uneven layers bake at different rates.
  • The sound of a knife sliding through frosting tells you when it's the right consistency; if it's fighting you, the frosting needs a few more minutes of beating or a brief rest in the fridge.
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