Best Liz Lorbers Famous Hummingbird Cake Recipes

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HUMMINGBIRD CAKE



Hummingbird Cake image

This super-simple tropical cake contains a hefty amount of mashed bananas and crushed pineapple. Often associated with the American South, where it is believed to have adopted a cream cheese frosting, it most likely originated in Jamaica, where it was called a Doctor Bird Cake. ("Doctor bird" is the nickname of Jamaica's national bird, the red-billed streamertail hummingbird.) Some say this cake is sweet enough to attract even hummingbirds, while others say the name derives from how bananas, a key ingredient in the cake, resemble the bird's beak. The end result tastes similar to banana bread, but with the moistness and flavor of a spice-filled carrot cake.

Provided by Vallery Lomas

Categories     snack, cakes, dessert

Time 1h

Yield 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 19

Nonstick baking spray
3 3/4 cups/480 grams all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3 large eggs, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups/340 grams overripe mashed bananas (about 3 bananas)
1 packed cup/220 grams dark brown sugar
1 cup/200 grams granulated sugar
1 cup/240 milliliters vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 (8-ounce/227-gram) cans crushed pineapple in juice (about 1 3/4 cups)
3/4 cup/85 grams chopped toasted pecan halves
2 (8-ounce/226-gram) packages cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup/225 grams unsalted butter (2 sticks), at room temperature
7 1/3 cups/905 grams confectioners' sugar
4 teaspoons vanilla extract
Heaping 3/4 cup/85 grams toasted pecan halves, for garnish
Dried pineapple rings and edible flowers, for garnish

Steps:

  • Prepare the cake: Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease three (9-inch) cake pans with nonstick baking spray. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. In a second large bowl, whisk together the eggs, mashed bananas, sugars, oil and vanilla.
  • Make a well in the dry ingredients and add the wet ingredients to the center of the well. Gently fold using a rubber spatula to combine. Add the pineapple and pecans, and fold again until just incorporated.
  • Divide the batter evenly among the cake pans. Bake until golden, cooked through and an inserted toothpick comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Move the cakes to a wire baking rack to cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then, remove from the pans and allow to cool completely on the wire racks
  • As cakes cool, make the cream cheese frosting: In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the cream cheese, butter, confectioners' sugar and vanilla. Mix on low speed until all the ingredients just come together. Then, increase the speed to medium and mix until creamy and smooth, about 5 minutes.
  • Assemble the cake: Place the first layer of the cake top-side down onto a cake stand or plate. Spread the top with cream cheese frosting. Repeat with the second two layers, always placing the top side down to create a very flat surface. Frost the top and sides of the cake.
  • Place whole toasted pecan halves around the rim of the cake. Garnish with the dried pineapple and edible flowers, as desired. Slice and serve.

HUMMINGBIRD CAKE



Hummingbird Cake image

This impressive hummingbird cake is my dad's favorite, so I always make it for his birthday. It makes a memorable dessert for any celebration and is lovely with a summer meal. -Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 1h5m

Yield 14 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 20

2 cups mashed ripe bananas
1-1/2 cups canola oil
3 large eggs, room temperature
1 can (8 ounces) unsweetened crushed pineapple, undrained
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup chopped walnuts
PINEAPPLE FROSTING:
1/4 cup shortening
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened pineapple juice
2 teaspoons half-and-half cream
Chopped walnuts, optional

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, beat the bananas, oil, eggs, pineapple and vanilla until well blended. In another bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, baking soda and cinnamon; gradually beat into banana mixture until blended. Stir in walnuts. , Pour into 3 greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 25-30 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. , For frosting, in a large bowl, beat the shortening, butter, lemon zest and salt until fluffy. Add confectioners' sugar alternately with pineapple juice. Beat in cream. Spread between layers and over top and sides of cake. If desired, sprinkle with walnuts.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 777 calories, Fat 35g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 50mg cholesterol, Sodium 333mg sodium, Carbohydrate 113g carbohydrate (85g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 7g protein.

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