Marianne Martinez
Hummingbird cake is a Southern cake that originated in Jamaica, where it was called doctor bird cake, named after Jamaica's national bird, the red-billed streamertail. It is a banana-heavy cake with pineapple, pecans, and cream cheese frosting. The cake can be made in a Bundt pan, though the bake time will be longer than a traditional layer cake. The Bundt pan should be greased and floured thoroughly before pouring in the batter. The cake is then baked for 50-75 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Banana, pineapple, pecans, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and cream cheese |
| Baking temperature | 350°F |
| Bake time | 50-75 minutes |
| Baking pan | 10-12 cup Bundt pan |
| Batter | Thick and textured |
| Frosting | Cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar |
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What You'll Learn
Baking time for a hummingbird cake in a bundt pan
The baking time for a hummingbird cake in a Bundt pan varies depending on the recipe used and the size of the pan. It is recommended that you start checking the cake at 50 minutes if using a 10- to 12-cup Bundt pan. The cake is likely to need more time, so it is suggested to check every 3 minutes or so. Most hummingbird Bundt cakes take between 55 and 75 minutes to bake.
To ensure even baking, it is important to grease and flour the Bundt pan thoroughly before pouring in the batter. Alternatively, you can use a baking spray with flour. The oven should be preheated to 350°F (177°C).
It is also important to allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 to 15 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely. This will help the cake release more easily from the pan.
To check if the cake is done, insert a toothpick or skewer near the center of the cake. If it comes out clean or with moist crumbs, but not wet, the cake is ready. If the cake is browning or baking too quickly at the bottom, you can lightly tent the pan with aluminum foil to prevent overbaking.
Some recipes suggest a slightly longer baking time of 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes for a 14-cup Bundt pan. However, it is always a good idea to keep an eye on the cake and adjust the baking time as needed.
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How to prevent over-baking
Hummingbird cake can be made in a Bundt pan. The classic Southern layer cake is simplified by baking it in a Bundt pan. The bake time will differ depending on the Bundt pan's depth and shape.
To prevent over-baking, follow these steps:
Check the cake after 50 minutes
Depending on your Bundt pan, the bake time will vary. It is recommended to start checking the cake after 50 minutes. Insert a toothpick into the centre of the cake. If it comes out clean, your cake is ready. If not, continue baking and check again after 3 minutes.
Tent the pan with aluminium foil
If the bottom of the cake is browning or baking too quickly, lightly tent the pan with aluminium foil. This will prevent the bottom of the cake from over-baking.
Adjust the oven rack
You can also try moving the cake down a rack, away from the direct heat of the oven element. However, keep in mind that this will also affect the bake time.
Use an oven thermometer
Oven temperatures can vary, so it's a good idea to use an oven thermometer to ensure that your oven is at the correct temperature. This will help you avoid over-baking due to an oven that is running too hot.
Allow the cake to cool completely
It is important to allow the cake to cool completely before removing it from the pan. This will help ensure that the cake is fully set and prevent it from falling apart or sticking to the pan.
Grease and flour the pan
To prevent the cake from sticking to the pan, be sure to grease and flour the pan thoroughly before pouring in the batter. You can also use a baking spray with flour. This will create a barrier between the batter and the pan, making it easier to remove the cake once it's baked.
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Ingredients for a hummingbird bundt cake
Hummingbird bundt cake is a variation of the classic Southern hummingbird layer cake. The ingredients for the bundt cake version are largely the same as the original, but simplified by baking in a bundt pan. Here is a list of ingredients for a hummingbird bundt cake:
Fruits and Juices:
- Bananas: Use super-ripe, brown, and spotty bananas, similar to those used for banana cake. Thawed, previously frozen bananas can also be used.
- Pineapple: Fresh or canned pineapple can be used, finely chopped, with a little pineapple juice included in the batter.
Nuts:
Pecans: These are typically toasted before being added to the cake batter or used as a topping. Pecans can be omitted or replaced with other nuts according to taste or allergies.
Dry Ingredients:
- Flour: All-purpose flour provides the right texture and density.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar provides sweetness without overpowering the fruits' natural sugar and flavor. Brown sugar can also be used.
- Salt: A small amount of salt helps to balance the cake's overall flavors.
- Baking soda: This gives the cake layers the power to rise and become fluffy.
- Spices: Ground cinnamon is a common addition, and other recipes may include allspice, ginger, cloves, or nutmeg.
Wet Ingredients:
- Eggs: Eggs bind all the ingredients together and give the cake layers density.
- Vegetable Oil: Oil, instead of butter, is used to achieve a moist, quick-bread-like texture.
- Sour Cream: Sour cream lightens the crumb of the cake, preventing it from becoming overly dense.
- Vanilla: Vanilla extract is used in the batter and can also be added to the frosting for extra flavor.
Frosting/Glaze:
- Cream Cheese: Cream cheese is used to make a glaze or frosting for the cake, often mixed with butter and powdered sugar.
- Butter: Butter is combined with cream cheese to create a smooth and fluffy frosting.
- Powdered Sugar: Also known as confectioners' sugar, this is added to the frosting mixture for sweetness and texture.
- Orange Juice: Orange juice can be added to the glaze to adjust the consistency and add a tangy flavor.
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How to make the cream cheese glaze
To make the cream cheese glaze for a Hummingbird Bundt Cake, you'll need cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk. The exact quantities of each ingredient will depend on how much glaze you want to make, but the general process for making the glaze remains the same.
First, beat the cream cheese and butter together in a large bowl using a handheld or stand mixer with a whisk or paddle attachment. For best results, mix until the mixture is light and fluffy, smooth, and with no lumps. Next, beat in the powdered sugar until the mixture is smooth and combined. Then, beat in the vanilla extract. At this point, you can also add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavour, if desired.
If the glaze is too thick, you can add a little milk to thin it out. Conversely, if the glaze is too thin, you can add more powdered sugar to thicken it. Continue adjusting the consistency until you achieve the desired thickness. For a drippy glaze, you can also add a little warm milk. Finally, when the glaze reaches the desired consistency, it is ready to be drizzled, piped, or spooned over the cooled cake.
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How to store a hummingbird bundt cake
Yes, a hummingbird cake can be made in a bundt pan. Hummingbird bundt cakes include all the main components of the original hummingbird layer cake: banana, pineapple, toasted pecans, a little spice, and cream cheese icing.
Hummingbird cake is best stored in the fridge, where it retains its freshness and flavour for up to 5 days. Before storing, make sure to keep the cake level, upright, and cool. If there is plastic wrap, remove it from the cake while it is still cold.
You may also freeze the hummingbird cake to make it last even longer. In the freezer, the cake will last up to 3 months. To thaw, leave it in the fridge overnight and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before eating.
If you prefer to eat your cake at room temperature, cut a piece off the refrigerated cake, let it sit for 20 minutes, and then enjoy!
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, hummingbird cake can be made in a bundt pan. The bundt cake version of this classic Southern layer cake includes all the key ingredients, such as banana, pineapple, pecans, and cream cheese glaze.
A 10- to 12-cup bundt pan is typically used for a hummingbird cake. However, some recipes may require a 14-cup bundt pan, so it is important to check the recipe before starting.
The bake time for a hummingbird cake in a bundt pan can range from 50 minutes to 75 minutes. It is recommended to start checking the cake at 50 minutes and continue checking every few minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
To prevent a hummingbird cake from sticking to a bundt pan, it is important to generously grease and flour the pan or use a baking spray with flour. Allowing the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 to 15 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack can also help with the release.
