Emilie Meyer
Hummingbird cake is a Southern classic that combines pineapple, banana, vanilla, and a hint of spice. The original recipe is from Jamaica and is called a doctor bird cake. The pineapple is never drained. The cake can be made in a 9x13 sheet pan, which is roughly a quarter sheet. The recipe can also be halved and baked in an 8x8 pan. The baking time will vary depending on the pan size, but the only other adjustment needed is the amount of batter used.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cake | Hummingbird Cake |
| Type of Pan | Sheet Cake |
| Pan Size | 9x13 |
| Ingredients | Pineapple, Banana, Vanilla, Cinnamon, Pecans, Cream Cheese Frosting |
| Baking Temperature | 350°F |
| Baking Time | 30-50 minutes |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Hummingbird cake recipe
Hummingbird cake is a Southern classic that originated in Jamaica, where the hummingbird is the national bird. The cake is typically made in a 9x13 pan and is known for its tropical flavours of banana, pineapple and pecan, and a hint of cinnamon. The cream cheese frosting is also a popular choice for this cake.
To make the cake, preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13 cake pan with butter or baking spray, or line the bottom with parchment paper. In a mixing bowl, add oil, eggs and sugar. Then add flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt and pecans. Mix with a rubber spatula until everything is combined. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 45-50 minutes or until a tester comes out clean.
Once the cake is baked, let it cool completely, about 1 hour and 30 minutes. To make the cream cheese frosting, beat butter in a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add cream cheese and beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add vanilla and beat until well blended. Reduce speed to low and beat in the powdered sugar until smooth and combined. Spread the frosting over the cooled cake.
You can also add a decorative touch by forming flowers on top of the cake with dried pineapple rings. Fill the centre of each flower with white pearl sprinkles and garnish with mint leaves. This Hummingbird Cake recipe is a delightful treat that's perfect for any occasion!
Giant Cupcake Pans: Where to Buy Them?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Preparing the pan
First, preheat your oven to 350°F. This is an essential step as it ensures your cake bakes evenly. While the oven is heating up, you can prepare your 13x9-inch baking pan.
For the pan, you have a few options. You can either lightly grease the pan with baking spray or a similar substitute, or you can line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper. Greasing the pan will help the cake release easily after baking, and the parchment paper provides an extra layer of protection to prevent sticking.
If you want to be extra cautious, you can do both. First, grease the pan lightly, and then line it with parchment paper, ensuring the paper is cut to fit the bottom of the pan snugly. This combination will ensure your cake releases effortlessly, and you won't be left with any stuck or burnt bits.
Once your pan is prepared, you can spoon the batter into it, spreading it evenly. Ensure there are no lumps and that the batter fills all corners of the pan.
Finally, place the pan in the preheated oven and bake until the cake is golden around the edges and a tester, such as a wooden pick or a knife, inserted into the centre comes out clean. This should take approximately 30 to 35 minutes, but ovens may vary, so keep an eye on it to avoid over-baking.
Fix Command Prompt Not Opening in Windows 10
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Baking the cake
Baking a Hummingbird Cake is a straightforward process. To begin, preheat your oven to 350°F. While the oven is preheating, you can grease a 13x9 cake pan with baking spray or butter and line the bottom with parchment paper.
Once the oven is preheated, you can start preparing the batter. The batter for a Hummingbird Cake typically includes ingredients such as flour, sugar, cinnamon, pineapple, banana, pecans, and vanilla. Mix the dry ingredients in one bowl and the wet ingredients in another, before combining the two. The batter should be pourable, so ensure it is not too thick. If it seems too thick, you can add a small amount of liquid, such as milk or pineapple juice, to thin it out.
Once your batter is ready, pour it into your prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 50 minutes. The baking time can vary depending on your oven, so it is important to keep an eye on the cake. The cake is done when it is golden around the edges and a toothpick or wooden skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
Once the cake is baked, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. While the cake is cooling, you can prepare the frosting. A traditional Hummingbird Cake is often topped with a cream cheese frosting, which can be made by blending together cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
Once the cake has cooled completely, you can frost it and add any desired toppings, such as chopped pecans, sliced pineapple, or toasted coconut. These toppings not only add a delicious crunch but also enhance the tropical flavours of the cake.
Large Pan for Potato Salad
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Making the frosting
Hummingbird cake is commonly served with homemade cream cheese frosting, also known as cream cheese buttercream. This is made with cream cheese and butter, creating a subtly tangy flavour.
To make the frosting, you will need to be patient and let the cake layers cool completely before applying the frosting. If the cake is still warm, the frosting will melt and turn into a soupy mess.
First, toast the pecans. Preheat the oven to 300°F (149°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Roughly chop the pecans into smaller 1/4" x 1/4" pieces using a chef's knife or by pulsing them in a food processor. Transfer the nuts to the baking sheet and spread them out evenly.
Next, make the frosting. There are many cream cheese frosting recipes available online, but a simple recipe includes butter, cream cheese, and vanilla. Beat the butter and cream cheese together until they are light and fluffy. Then, add in the vanilla and beat until everything is combined. If you prefer a sweeter frosting, you can add in some powdered sugar.
Finally, spread the frosting on the cooled cake. You can ice the cake in layers or spread it all over for a simple, single-layer cake.
Easy Cupcake Hack: Baking Without Liners
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Decorating the cake
Hummingbird cake is a Southern classic, with pineapple, banana, vanilla, and a hint of spice. The cake is often topped with a rich cream cheese frosting, with some recipes calling for chopped pecans as well.
- Dried pineapple rings: This is an effortless way to decorate the cake, with no piping required. Simply fill the centre of each ring with small white pearl sprinkles and garnish with mint to resemble leaves.
- Fresh pineapple: If you don't want to use dried pineapple, you could use fresh pineapple rings or chunks as a garnish.
- Flowers: You can form flowers on top of the cake with dried pineapple rings or fresh flowers, if they are in season.
- Nuts: Chopped pecans or other nuts can be used as a topping, adding a satisfying crunch to the cake.
- Fruit: In addition to pineapple, you could use other types of fruit as a garnish, such as sliced bananas, strawberries, or raspberries.
- Icing: The cream cheese icing can also be decorated with a simple sugar glaze, or by adding food colouring to create a more festive look.
The options for decorating a Hummingbird Cake are endless, and you can get creative with your choice of toppings and garnishes. Whether you prefer a simple approach with just a few nuts or fruit garnishes, or something more elaborate with flowers and icing designs, the cake is sure to be a show stopper!
The Mystery of the Cracked Cast Iron Pan: Unraveling the Causes
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, a Hummingbird Cake can be made in a 13x9 pan. This is known as a Hummingbird Sheet Cake and is a simple spin on the classic Hummingbird Cake.
A Hummingbird Sheet Cake is a Southern classic. It is a banana and pineapple spice cake with a hint of cinnamon, topped with cream cheese frosting and decorated with pecans, pineapple, or toasted coconut.
First, preheat your oven to 350°F. Coat a 13x9-inch baking pan with baking spray or lightly grease it, and line the bottom with parchment paper. Then, pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a tester comes out clean.
Yes, you can make a Hummingbird Cake in an 8x8 pan, a bundt pan, or a half sheet pan. The cook time may vary depending on the size and type of pan used.
