This tropical Small Hummingbird Cake recipe is a wonderfully moist cake made with a banana, pineapples, and chopped pecans. It's a delicious scaled down version of a southern classic and is frosted with an irresistibly rich cream cheese icing!
Prep Time10 minutesmins
Cook Time30 minutesmins
Cool10 minutesmins
Total Time50 minutesmins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian
Keyword: cream cheese frosting, hummingbird cake, mini cake, tropical cake
Preheat the Oven: Start by heating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius). Prepare a 5x5-inch baking dish by lightly greasing it with either softened butter or baking spray. Set the dish aside for later use.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. This step ensures that all the dry ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the cake.
Add Wet Ingredients: To the dry mixture, stir in the egg, oil, and vanilla extract. Follow by adding the crushed pineapples and mashed banana. Combine everything until the mixture is smooth and uniform.
Fold in Pecans: Gently stir in the pecans into the batter. The batter will be quite thick at this stage, which is perfect for the texture of the cake.
Bake the Cake: Pour the thick batter into your prepared baking dish. Bake it in the preheated oven for 30-33 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating it's perfectly baked.
Cool Before Frosting: After baking, it's crucial to let the cake cool down to room temperature before adding the frosting. This ensures the frosting doesn't melt and retains its texture when applied.
Make the Frosting
Cream Butter and Cream Cheese: Begin by adding both butter and cream cheese to a medium-sized mixing bowl. Use an electric mixer to beat these ingredients on high speed until they are thoroughly combined and have a smooth consistency.
Incorporate Powdered Sugar: Gradually add sifted powdered sugar to the mixture while continuing to beat at a low speed. Sifting the powdered sugar is an important step as it removes any lumps, ensuring a smooth frosting. Continue mixing until all the sugar is fully incorporated into the cream cheese and butter blend.
Add Pineapple Juice: Finally, mix in the pineapple juice. Continue to whip the frosting until it reaches a smooth and fluffy texture.
Frost the Cake
Select Your Frosting Method: There are two ways to frost this cake. The first and easiest method is to apply the frosting directly onto the cake while it's still in the baking dish. This allows you to serve it right from the dish, making for easy presentation and cleanup. The second option involves a bit more care: once the cake has cooled, run a knife around the inside edge of the pan to loosen the cake. Then, carefully invert it onto a cooling rack to cool completely. After it has fully cooled, spoon the frosting over the top of the cake, using a rubber spatula to spread it evenly.
Add Garnish and Serve: For an extra touch, garnish the frosted cake with additional pecans. This not only enhances the presentation but also adds a delightful crunch. Once garnished, slice the cake and serve at room temperature for the best flavor and texture.
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Notes
Accurate Measurement of Ingredients: For consistent and reliable results, use a kitchen scale to measure your ingredients. This precision is key in achieving the desired texture and flavor of the cake.
Avoid Overmixing the Batter: Mix the batter just until you can no longer see streaks of flour. Overmixing can lead to a cake that's tough and dense instead of light and fluffy.
Use the Correct Pan Size: The success of this cake relies heavily on using the right size baking dish. A 5x5-inch baking dish is ideal, offering a base area of 25 square inches. Alternatively, you can use two 10-ounce ramekins, each measuring about 4 inches in diameter and 1 3/4 inches tall. Proper pan size ensures even baking and optimal texture.
Drain the Pineapple Thoroughly: Make sure to drain the pineapple well. Excess moisture from the pineapple can result in a cake that's too wet.
Cool the Cake Completely Before Frosting: Allowing the cake to cool to room temperature before frosting prevents the frosting from melting and ensures it sets properly on the cake.
Room Temperature Ingredients for Frosting: Ensure that both the butter and cream cheese are at room temperature before making the frosting. This helps in achieving a smooth and spreadable consistency.
Adjusting Frosting Consistency: If your frosting appears too runny, add more powdered sugar, one tablespoon at a time, until the desired thickness is reached. Alternatively, chilling the frosting briefly can also help to firm it up.