Hummingbird Cake
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Category
Dessert
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Cusine
Southern
What do you need?
How to make?
Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3 large eggs
2 cups granulated white sugar
1 cup canola oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 can crushed pineapple, with juice
2 cups mashed bananas
1 cup finely chopped pecans
1 pound cream cheese, softened
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 pounds powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon Cointreau or other liquor
1 cup roughly chopped pecans, for topping
Edible flowers for garnish
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour three 9-inch round cake pans.
flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg .
In a separate bowl, whisk the canola oil, sugar, and eggs together until combined. Stir the pineapple, bananas, vanilla and one cup of the chopped pecans into the egg mixture and mix .
Using a wooden spoon or spatula, fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined .
Pour the batter into the three prepared cake pans, taking care to divide evenly. Bake at 350 degrees F on center racks of oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick or knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
Allow the cakes to cool in the pan on wire racks for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, run a knife around the edges and remove the cakes from the pans. Cool completely on wire racks before frosting.
Beat the softened butter and cream cheese in a large bowl with an electric mixer. With the mixer on low speed, add the powdered sugar in small amounts until all is incorporated, then add the Cointreau and vanilla and beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.
Do not add the powdered sugar while the mixer is set on a high speed, or you will create a snowy mess of sugar all over your kitchen. . Spread frosting evenly over the first layer, then repeat with the second and third layers, then frost the sides.
Sprinkle the top completely with the remaining cup of chopped pecans . Alternatively, press the chopped pecans onto the sides of the cake and leave the top simply frosted.
This cake is best served the day it's made and can be kept, assembled and frosted, for a few hours before servings. If you need to serve it the next day or if you have leftovers, cover the cake as well as possible and refrigerate it. Remove it from the fridge and let it come up to room temperature for an hour or two before serving.