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You are here: Home / Recipes / Dessert / Cakes / Hummingbird Bundt Cake

Hummingbird Bundt Cake

March 27, 2024

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two image collage showing hummingbird Bundt cake on a small dessert plate and also the cake as a whole cake topped with a cream cheese frosting. There is a center color block with text overlay.

This delightful Hummingbird Bundt Cake has a moist crumb, rich flavor and stunning presentation – a true celebration of sweet, spice and everything nice! Made with bananas, pineapple, pecans and spiced with cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg – every bite of this easy cake is pure bliss!

Looking for more cake recipes? Check out my Banoffee Poke Cake, Red Velvet Cake and Carrot Cake!

piece of humming bird cake on a small dessert plate sitting in front of a pink cake stand. the cake has been topped with a cream cheese frosting.

Hummingbird Cake Recipe

This recipe is a delightful twist on the traditional hummingbird cake, but in a simpler bundt cake format. It still delivers a moist and flavorful cake that is packed with ripe bananas, tart pineapple, crunchy pecans and topped with a heavenly cream cheese icing. This cake is perfect for holidays, special occasions, or simply enjoyed with a cup of tea or coffee. It’s a recipe that will impress friends and family and you’ll love that it’s so easy to make.

As most of you know, my Nana’s To Die For Carrot Cake is a top contender around here when it comes to cake requests. This Hummingbird Cake isn’t far behind. Made with many of the same ingredients, including pineapple and pecans, it’s decadently moist and perfectly spiced. Cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves ensure that every bite of this delicious cake is filled with flavor. The bananas and pineapple ensure a moist cake no matter what – this cake is fool proof.

Cream Cheese Frosting

The cream cheese frosting is a little different that what I use traditionally. It’s a bit thinner so it can be almost drizzled over the top of the cake. Over the years I have started adding a bit of orange juice to my standard recipe. I love how the orange plays with the cinnamon and cloves in the cake. A bit of orange zest on top really brightens up the cake too.

I use the term “glaze” loosely here. It’s really a cross between a frosting and a glaze. Add more orange juice to the frosting for a thinner consistency.

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What Is Hummingbird Cake?

Hummingbird Cake is a southern specialty (but originated in Jamaica) and is known for its unique flavor profile, moist, somewhat dense texture and rich flavors. Made with pineapple, banana and typically walnuts or pecans, this cake is spiced with cinnamon and occasionally nutmeg or cloves. It’s a cake that celebrates texture, flavor and spice and is typically frosted with cream cheese frosting.

The cake is believed to have gotten it’s name from the fact that it is sweet enough to attract hummingbirds, and while I don’t know about the hummingbirds, I know for a fact it will attract kids and adults alike!

hummingbird cake on pink cake stand with cream cheese frosting drizzled over the top.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This gorgeous bundt cake is sure to become a new favorite in your home! We love it so much and I know you will too!

  • Incredibly Moist: This cake maintains exceptional moistness thanks to the bananas and pineapple.
  • Wonderfully Spiced: The combination of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves offers a complex flavor profile that complements the fruitiness of the cake.
  • Picture Perfect Presentation: I love all cakes as bundts and this one is no exception. That cream cheese glaze piped or drizzled on top of the cake and a flavorful orange zest finish ensures the cake is as beautiful as it is delicious.

How To Make Hummingbird Bundt Cake

You’re going to love this wonderful cake as much as we do! Its’ a quick and easy recipe to make and I’m going to break down the steps for you here but, as always, you can find the full printable recipe card at the end of this post.

For the cake

  1. Preheat the oven to 325°F and grease and flour a standard bundt pan (10 to 12 cups).
  2. Whisk together all purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg and ground cloves in a large bowl.
  3. Beat butter until fluffy and then add in eggs and vanilla and beat until combined. Beat in bananas and pineapple and then fold in pecans. Finally, stir in flour mixture just until combined.
  4. Pour batter into prepared bundt pan and bake for 65 to 75 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
  5. Cool for 10 to 15 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack to cool completely.

For the frosting

  1. Beat cream cheese and butter together until light and fluffy.
  2. Add powdered sugar and beat until combined. Beat in vanilla and orange juice.
  3. Drizzle, pipe or spoon the frosting over the top of the cooled cake and top with orange zest.

Start with 3 tablespoons of orange juice and add more as needed. If the frosting is too thin, add some more powdered sugar. Too thick? Add more juice.

piece of hummingbird bundt cake on a small dessert plate sitting in front of a pink cake stand. the cake has been topped with a cream cheese frosting.

Bundt Cakes

There’s a lot to love about bundt cakes. First, you can pick from a variety of awesome pans. I have six or seven that I rotate through depending on the cake. For this particular recipe, I go with a simpler design because the cake is so incredibly moist that I don’t want to risk it sticking to the pan. Avoid all stickiness by thoroughly greasing and flouring your bundt pan or using a baking spray that has flour in it like this one.

Storage Information

  • Make Ahead: This cake can be made a day in advance. The flavors intensify and meld over the first 24 hours. Let cool completely and then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and leave at room temperature. The frosting can also be made a day or two ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator.
  • Leftovers: Leftover, frosted cake should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • Freezing: I recommend freezing the cake without the frosting. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then foil and place in an airtight, freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and and the frosting just before serving.

Variations To Try

  • Go nuts! Try this recipe with almonds, walnuts or pistachios for a different nut flavor. The nuts can be omitted from this recipe if allergies are an issue.
  • Try adding orange zest to the cake for more citrus flavor.
  • Add a splash of rum to the batter for an extra layer of flavor.
top down angled look at cream cheese frosting on hummingbird bundt cake topped with orange zest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this cake gluten-free? Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free blend.

Do I have to use a bundt pan? You can make this recipe in two, 8 or 9 inch cake pans or a 9×13 pan if you wish, just keep in mind the baking time will be reduced.

When is the cake done? Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake at about 65 minutes to check for doneness. You are looking for a few most crumbs on the toothpick. Do not over bake.

How can I make sure my cake comes out cleanly? Make sure to grease and flour the pan thoroughly before pouring in the batter or use a baking spray with flour. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes before inverting to help it release more easily.

Trish’s Tips

  • For the best texture and to ensure ease of mixing, all ingredients should be at room temperature.
  • Be sure not to over mix the batter for a tender cake.
  • This cake can be topped with crushed nuts, shredded coconut or just the frosting. Feel free to omit the frosting and dust the cake with powdered sugar instead.
  • If the glaze is too thick, thin it with additional orange juice until you reach the desired consistency.
piece of hummingbird cake on a small dessert plate sitting in front of a pink cake stand. the cake has been topped with a cream cheese frosting.

More Cake Recipes You’ll Enjoy

  1. Limoncello Cake
  2. Chocolate Pound Cake
  3. Strawberry Poke Cake
  4. Creamsicle Cake
  5. Raspberry Vanilla Cake
piece of humming bird cake on a small dessert plate sitting in front of a pink cake stand. the cake has been topped with a cream cheese frosting.
Print Pin
5 from 14 votes

Hummingbird Bundt Cake

This delightful Hummingbird Bundt Cake has a moist crumb, rich flavor and stunning presentation – a true celebration of sweet, spice and everything nice! Made with bananas, pineapple, pecans and spiced with cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg – every bite of this easy cake is pure bliss!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword hummingbird bundt cake, hummingbird cake
Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes
Total Time 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes
Servings 16 servings
Calories 484kcal
Author Trish – Mom On Timeout

Ingredients

  • 3 cups all purpose flour
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ¾ cup salted butter softened
  • 3 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 3 ripe bananas mashed (approximately 2 cups)
  • 8.25 ounces can crushed pineapple do not drain
  • 1 cup chopped pecans

Cream Cheese Glaze

  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • ¼ cup butter softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar sifted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 to 4 tablespoons fresh orange juice
  • 1 orange zested

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease and flour a standard bundt pan (10 to 12 cups). Set aside.
  • Whisk together all purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg and ground cloves in a large bowl. Set aside.
    3 cups all purpose flour, 2 cups granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg, ½ teaspoon ground cloves
  • In a large mixing bowl, beat butter until fluffy. Add in eggs and vanilla and beat until combined.
    ¾ cup salted butter, 3 large eggs, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • Beat in bananas and pineapple. Fold in pecans.
    3 ripe bananas, 8.25 ounces can crushed pineapple, 1 cup chopped pecans
  • Stir in flour mixture just until combined.
  • Carefully pour batter into prepared bundt pan and bake for 65 to 75 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
  • Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack, Let cool completely.

Cream Cheese Glaze

  • Beat cream cheese and butter together until light and fluffy.
    8 ounces cream cheese, ¼ cup butter
  • Beat in powdered sugar until combined.
    2 cups powdered sugar
  • Beat in vanilla and orange juice. Start with 3 tablespoons of orange juice and add more as needed. If the glaze is too thin, add some more powdered sugar. Too thick? Add more juice.
    3 to 4 tablespoons fresh orange juice, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Drizzle, pipe or spoon the frosting over the top of the cooled cake and top with orange zest.
    1 orange

Notes

Storage Information
  • Make Ahead: This cake can be made a day in advance. The flavors intensify and meld over the first 24 hours. Let cool completely and then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and leave at room temperature. The frosting can also be made a day or two ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator.
  • Leftovers: Leftover, frosted cake should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • Freezing: I recommend freezing the cake without the frosting. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then foil and place in an airtight, freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and and the frosting just before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 484kcal | Carbohydrates: 68g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 77mg | Sodium: 312mg | Potassium: 190mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 46g | Vitamin A: 624IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 2mg

Originally publish March 15, 2016.

  • 989

By Trish - Mom On Timeout March 27, 2024 Banana, Cake, Cakes, Cuisine, Dessert, Easter Recipes, Fruit, Fruit Desserts, Holiday Recipes, Ingredient, Recipes, Southern

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Comments

  1. June says

    April 24, 2021 at 8:03 AM

    Wow… this is incredible and lovely!!!!!!Thanks

    Reply
  2. Kathy says

    July 5, 2019 at 6:24 PM

    My grandmother used to make these, but she did it in 3 layers 🙂 They were wonderful! 🙂

    Reply
    • Trish - Mom On Timeout says

      July 11, 2019 at 8:32 AM

      YES! So beautiful that way!

      Reply
  3. Johanna says

    June 16, 2019 at 7:19 PM

    What can I use in place of the orange juice in the hummingbird cake?

    Reply
    • Trish - Mom On Timeout says

      June 19, 2019 at 6:47 PM

      Water or milk will work.

      Reply
  4. Christel says

    May 7, 2016 at 5:28 PM

    Hello, I have a question to the recipe “Hummingbird Bundt Cake with Cream Cheese Glaze”: When and how the flour comes in the dough, the wet ingredients come in the dry or vice versa? About an answer I would be happy!

    Reply
    • Trish - Mom On Timeout says

      May 9, 2016 at 3:02 PM

      Good question! Right in step 6 – after the pecans have been stirred in. Sorry about the confusion!

      Reply
  5. Kim Perez says

    May 5, 2016 at 6:43 PM

    The cake looks fantastic but I also absolutely love your cake stand. Where did you get it?

    Reply
    • Trish - Mom On Timeout says

      May 9, 2016 at 3:03 PM

      Thanks Kim! You know, I think I actually got that cake stand at Target awhile ago…don’t hold me to it though 🙂

      Reply
  6. Ash says

    April 5, 2016 at 9:26 AM

    I can’t have banana, could I sub in something else? Like applesauce, maybe?

    Reply
  7. Laura @ Laura's Culinary Adventures says

    March 16, 2016 at 2:08 PM

    I was recently introduced to hummingbird cakes, and I feel like I have been missing out! This bundt looks so yummy! What a great Easter dessert!

    Reply
  8. Janet says

    March 16, 2016 at 1:28 PM

    This looks delicious! Just wondered if you could leave out the pineapple & maybe sub something else? Don’t really like fruit in cake. Or would it totally alter the taste of the cake? Thanks!

    Reply
  9. Julie Evink says

    March 16, 2016 at 8:54 AM

    I don’t care if you call it a frosting or a glaze! I’m thinking I could eat a bowl of that 🙂 And maybe a slice or two of cake!

    Reply
  10. Angela says

    March 16, 2016 at 7:17 AM

    Approximately, how long would you bake this in a sheet pan, since I’d prefer to make it a sheet cake if I were to bring it to a pot luck. Thanks for yet another terrific recipe!

    Reply
    • Trish - Mom On Timeout says

      March 16, 2016 at 10:03 AM

      Yes! Love sheet cakes for potlucks 🙂 Hmm, I would normally say about 35 minutes but it’s a very moist cake so I would check at 35 but it might need up to 45 minutes. Just stick a toothpick in the center to check. Thanks so much for stopping by!

      Reply
  11. Mir says

    March 16, 2016 at 3:20 AM

    I love that you turned this into a bundt. I’ve only seen the layer cake kind, and really, don’t wanna do all that frosting and stacking. This is so much better! The glaze is also incredible!

    Reply
  12. Karen @ The Food Charlatan says

    March 15, 2016 at 10:44 PM

    I love that you have “6 or 7 pans” to rotate through for this recipe!! Haha only a food blogger 🙂 🙂 I’m LOVING the looks of this half glaze half frosting business going on. Bring on the orange zest!! YES!

    Reply
  13. Darlene says

    March 15, 2016 at 6:04 PM

    You’re recipes are great. But you have so many instrutional pictures that it takes forever to load and print a recipe or even see it.
    What you have done is fantastic, but waiting sometimes is so frustrating it is just not worth it.
    Just saying sometimes simple is better.

    Reply
    • Trish - Mom On Timeout says

      March 16, 2016 at 10:07 AM

      Thank you so much for your feedback Darlene! It’s hard to please everyone unfortunately. I get so many requests for more shots that maybe I tend to go overboard. I took your request seriously though and removed one of the images. Also, this post loaded really fast for me so it might be an internet speed issue? I hope this helps!

      Reply
  14. Liz says

    March 15, 2016 at 4:32 PM

    Thank you for the nice recipe.

    Reply
    • Trish - Mom On Timeout says

      March 16, 2016 at 10:07 AM

      You are so welcome Liz! Hope you’re having a wonderful week 🙂

      Reply
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Hi, I’m Trish!

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