Irresistible Hummingbird Cake Recipe

This post contains links to affiliate websites, such as Amazon, and we receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you using these links. We appreciate your support!

hummingbird cake on pedestal

How To Make A Hummingbird Cake

An odd name for a cake right? It doesn’t contain hummingbirds. So why is this a hummingbird cake recipe? It does have a lot of delicious sweetness that a hummingbird might like. Served in small portions, allows you to indulge in this fun sweet treat.

adding milk into cake mix

What Ingredients Go Into This Cake?

  • yellow box cake
  • package of instant pudding mix
  • water
  • vegetable oil
  • eggs
  • ground cinnamon
  • mashed bananas
  • softened cream cheese
  • powder sugar
  • crushed pineapples
  • chopped pecans
  • vanilla extract
  • softened butter
melted butter into cake batter

Is This an Easy Recipe to Make?

This recipe has a long list on ingredients, but trust the process. Read this recipe a few times and pull out all the ingredients before making. As you use the ingredients, put them away. This hummingbird cake recipe is worth the effort. It’s a bit like an ambrosia salad with all the different fruits you love.

Mixing eggs into cake

Can I Add Maraschino Cherries?

Maraschino cherries are definitely possible with this cake. The wet fruits can cause the cake to take longer to bake, so drain first.

crushed pineapple and mashed banana into hummingbird cake recipe batter

What Kind of Frosting Is Used on This Cake?

We are using a cream cheese frosting. It’s simple and easy to pull together. Just four ingredients. Cream cheese, butter, vanilla and powder sugar.

slicing cake into half for frosting layers

Why Is My Cake Melting And Falling Apart?

You have to let the hummingbird cake cool completely before frosting. If you don’t, the frosting will melt into the cake, causing the cake to slide. If you are in a hurry, place the cake in the refrigerator to cool quicker.

frosting layers of cake

Have you made a hummingbird cake before? Share below how you have made this recipe.

plated slice of hummingbird cake
Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes

Hummingbird Cake

Want to make a fun cake with a unique name? Check out how to make a hummingbird cake. An old fashion recipe to enjoy at your next family party.
Course: Baking, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Author: Regina Sober

Ingredients

Cake

  • 1 box yellow cake mix
  • 1 small package vanilla instant pudding mix
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup melted butter, cooled
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 ripe mashed banana
  • 8 ounce can crushed pineapple well drained
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup chopped pecans

Frosting

  • 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened softened
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 Tablespoons chopped pecans for garnish

Instructions

Cake

  • Preheat your oven to 350℉ while making the batter.
  • In a large bowl, add the cake mix, pudding, cinnamon, milk and butter.  Mix with a mixer until well incorporated.
  • Add eggs and mix again, scrap bowl with spatula to get all flour mix from bottom of bowl and sides.
  • If you haven't already, mash the banana with a fork and add the banana, pineapple and pecans into the batter.
  • Spray the round cake pans with cooking oil and divide the batter into equal parts (as best you can), and place in the oven.  Bake for 25-30 minutes or until done.
  • Once done baking, allow to cool.  You will want to cut each circle in half, so there are 4 pieces.

Frosting

  • Whipped the softened cream cheese and butter, creaming them together.
  • Mix in the vanilla and powdered sugar. Whip together until creamy and smooth.
  • Take a piece of the cake and lay it cut side up.  Spread 1/4 of the frosting mix, getting it to the edge of the cake.
  • Repeat this 2 more times with the layers of cake. Last layer, rounded top goes up.
  • Cover the entire cake with frosting (or leave the edges exposed (your preference)
  • Garnish the top with pecans. 

Video

YouTube video

Notes

You can easily make your own yellow cake mix.
Substitutes:
  •   Substitute water for milk
  •   Substitute vegetable oil for melted butter
Love this cakes name. It's an old fashioned recipe and you'll love learning how to make a hummingbird cake for your next party.

Similar Posts

2 Comments

  1. You hooked me on the hummingbird, the national bird of Jamaica. The cake looks delicious and very enticing. The pudding mix is an interesting twist. Thanks for sharing.

5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating