Recipe for Hummingbird Cake – There is something so deliciously wonderful about this homemade recipe for Hummingbird Cake. The flavor is perfect, the cake is fluffy and moist and the new Salted Caramel Frosting is going to wow you.
What is Hummingbird Cake?
Oh wow… just imagine the most delectable cake — flavored with pineapple, coconut, bananas and pecans. Topped with a delicious brown-sugar-caramel-dream frosting.
In general, if you want to know what a hummingbird cake is — it’s a complex version of the carrot cake without the carrots or raisins. Yes, I make a delicious carrot cake and promise to add it to Clean Cuisine soon.
Making a Healthier Recipe for Hummingbird Cake
A traditional recipe for hummingbird cake would be loaded with wheat flour, refined sugar and lots of unhealthy oils.
In my recipe for Hummingbird Cake, it’s cleaned up to be so healthy that you can serve it to your kids for breakfast without the guilt. Trust me though, once you make this cleaned up version of my hummingbird cake, you are going to never turn back. Just trust me on this.
Make this Hummingbird Cake Your Own
One of the amazing things about this cake is that you can swap out ingredients, add new ones and still have a perfect recipe for hummingbird cake.
For example, if you don’t care for crushed pineapple – then use applesauce instead. If you don’t have coconut oil, you can use organic unsalted butter or extra virgin olive oil. Not a fan of walnuts, use pecans instead. You really can’t go wrong. If you don’t have enough eggs, or can’t eat eggs — try one of these Egg Substitutes.
TIP: If you love banana flavor, add about 1 teaspoon of banana extract and increase the flavor a little more.
This recipe for hummingbird cake is so versatile. I hope you will print off the recipe card down below and start making swaps. Please do sure them in the comments below.
The Story of How I learned about Hummingbird Cake:
In 2010, I first visited Kathleen Kings Tate’s Bake Shop located in the Hamptons, New York. I remember walking into her shop and drooling over this big gorgeous cake under a cake dome on the counter. I remember asking my mom, “What is Hummingbird Cake?”
My mom ordered 2 — and we sat at a little bistro table swooning over the delectable flavor of this cake. Every single bite was sinfully deliciously.
I immediately bought her book and went home to begin baking my way through it. And boy oh boy, are there some delicious recipes in that cookbook. The downside is that almost every single one is loaded with refined sugar, lots of dairy and plenty of wheat.
Diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, My Life Changed
Then, I got really sick and was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. Soon after, I went gluten free and reduced dairy and refined sugar in order to stave off my inflammation.
Sad to say, I have not had another piece of Tate’s Recipe for Hummingbird Cake… but now I just make my own.
So, this recipe for Hummingbird Cake is lovingly inspired by Kathleen’s little shop on Long Island. Thank you Kathleen!
How to Make a Healthier Recipe for Hummingbird Cake
Instead of wishing I had a delicious recipe for hummingbird cake that isn’t so healthy, I cleaned up the recipe by using nutrient-dense ingredients and a minimal frosting that has just the right amount of sweetness.
- Use coconut sugar instead of refined sugar.
- Almond flour (if you’re grain free) or King Arthur’s Whole Grain Gluten Free Mix
- Coconut oil instead of vegetable oil or the other icky oil-based sadness!
- Whole foods — pineapple, unsweetened coconut, applesauce, nuts
As I was preparing to share this recipe today, my husband asked when I would be making this recipe for Hummingbird Cake again. I guess it’s time to get out the mixing bowls!
Most Delicious Salted “Caramel” Frosting I’ve Ever Made
This was all a big accident, but my family is in awe… and so am I. Okay, they are in so much awe that they think I should start my own frosting company. haha. Just bear with me.
The Game Changer:
STEP #1: You must add the coconut sugar to a high speed blender or food processor. Hit pulse a few times and let the coconut sugar whirl around until it’s a fine powder.
STEP #2: Make sure your coconut-based cream cheese and unsalted organic butter is at room temperature before beginning.
STEP #3: Use only high quality, pure vanilla — and I just love Himalayan pink sea salt.
So, no, there is no “caramel” in my Salted “Caramel” Frosting — but it tastes JUST like it. Plus, it is the perfect companion to this recipe for Hummingbird Cake.
A Few Quick Notes:
- If you are vegetarian, opt to replace the butter in the frosting for something you prefer.
- If you are nut-free, skip the nuts!
- If you are SCD, use almond flour and not gluten free flour.
Kitchen Favorites
Recipe for Hummingbird Cake
Recipe for Hummingbird Cake is full of rich and delicious flavors: pineapple, banana, coconut, pecans. Hummingbird Cake is fluffy and rich.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8–12 slices 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
RECIPE FOR HUMMINGBIRD CAKE:
- 3 cups
- 1 cup
- 2 teaspoon
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup bananas, ripened and mashed
- 3 pastured eggs
- 1/2 cup crushed pineapple (substitute: unsweetened applesauce)
- 3/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- 2 teaspoons
- 1/2 cup
RECIPE FOR SALTED “CARAMEL” FROSTING:
- 8 tablespoons coconut-based cream cheese
- 4 tablespoons of organic unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- sea salt, to taste
Instructions
RECIPE FOR HUMMINGBIRD CAKE INSTRUCTIONS:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease two 8-inch cake pans and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Whisk together and make a well in the middle of the bowl.
- In a classic batter bowl, mash the bananas using a pastry blender or fork. Once well mashed, add the eggs, pineapple, coconut flakes, vanilla and chopped nuts (optional). Mix until well combined. Add in the room temperature coconut oil. Mix again until well combined.
- To the large bowl, add the banana mixture. Mix until just well combined, but do not over stir.
- Divide batter between the two prepared cake pans.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the top starts to darken and the center is set.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cool, frost the tops of the cakes and stack them.
RECIPE FOR SALTED “CARAMEL” FROSTING INSTRUCTIONS:
- To a blender or food processor, add the coconut sugar and pulse until a fine powder is made.
- Add all ingredients to a bowl and use a hand mixer or stand mixer, blend thoroughly.
- You can add more salt, to taste.
Keywords: Recipe for Hummingbird Cake
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Jodie says
What “coconut-based” cream cheese would you suggest? I can’t seem to find anything in that realm.
The recipe sounds so delicious – dying to make it! Thank you –
★★★★★
Aimee Harris Niedosik says
Hi Jodie, If you don’t have any dairy issues, you can certainly use low-fat cream cheese — but for coconut based, look for Kite Hill, Violife or Miyoko’s brands. If you have coconut milk handy, you can also make your own using this delicious recipe: https://jjvirgin.com/recipe-dairy-free-nut-free-cream-cheese/ — Keep me posted!!
Aimee
Ruth Raynor says
Hey Aimee,
I’m going to try making this cake this weekend. Can’t wait. Love salted caramel flavors. Will let you know how things go. Hope all is well with you all.
Aimee Harris Niedosik says
Oh yeah!! I’m so excited you’re going to try it out. If you needs any help with ingredient swaps, let me know. The Salted “Caramel” gets it’s deep flavor from coconut sugar — it is truly remarkable (and it’s healthy!!!). Love you friend.
Allana says
I don’t even eat cake .. but dammm I’m gonna make this one ,it’s fabulous
Thanks 💕
Aimee Harris Niedosik says
Please do make it– and let me know what you think!! I can even justify eating a slice for breakfast because it’s so healthy and delicious!
Also, I have a new carrot cake recipe coming soon — but I don’t care for raisins, so those will definitely be optional. 😉
Judith says
Would wish for carb and calorie counts on all your recipes!
Aimee Harris Niedosik says
Yes, I understand that as many have inquired. We wrote an entire article about calories here: https://cleancuisine.com/calorie-counting-is-not-helpful-all-calories-are-not-equal/
Tami says
Made this cake for my anniversary and it did not disappoint! Husband and kids loved it!
★★★★★
Aimee Harris Niedosik says
Tammy, Happy Anniversary — and even better when a cake you try out tastes delicious! Thank you so much for sharing. It is the new household favorite… and this is coming from a family who used to love refined sugar and dairy. We’ve come along way and excited to share with everyone!
Gayle Baker says
Is the frosting recipe complete? It seems you would need something dry to bind and add texture, otherwise just a sweet butter. There are also no directions how to make the frosting. Thanks!
Aimee Harris Niedosik says
Yes Gayle, that is the complete recipe.You simply add all ingredients to a bowl and blend until it’s whipped sweet butter. It doesn’t seem like much, but it is all I used for the frosting on this cake and it was perfect. It’s not as dense, fluffy or sweet as traditional frosting, but it is perfect for this cake!
Lenny says
This was the best cake I’ve ever had! Literally! The moist cake paired with the creamy and not overly sweet icing was the perfect combo.
★★★★★
Megan Smith says
If I wanted to make this recipe dairy-free, what would I substitute for the butter?
Aimee Harris Niedosik says
You could replace the butter with coconut shortening! Let us know how it turns out!