The recipe I used for the Hummingbird cake is slightly different the the one trooper posted. Here it is if anyone would like to make it:
I took this recipe from America’s Best Lost Recipes. This a three layer cake with cream cheese frosting. From what I read there is no clear reason for it being called a Hummingbird cake.
INGREDIENTS:
Cake:
3 Cups of all-purpose flour
2 cups of granulated sugar
1 teaspoon of baking soda
1 teaspoon of salt
1 Teaspoon of ground cinnamon
1 cup of vegetable oil
3 large eggs
1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
1 (6 oz) can of crushed pineapple packed in juice
1 1/2 cups of pecans toasted and chopped, plus more for garnishing
2 ripe bananas, peeled and chopped
Frosting:
16 tablespoons (2 sticks) unsalted butter soften
4 cups of confectioners’ sugar
16 oz of cream cheese cut into 8 pieces
1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
pinch of salt
MAKING THE CAKE:
Adjust two oven racks to the upper-middle and lower-middle positions and heat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour the pans ( I butter, then add parchment paper butter again and add the flour. Then I shake off any loose flour from the pan.) This the flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a large bowl. Whisk the oil, eggs and vanilla in a medium bowl (I use my mixer with the paddle attachment) until combined. Add the flour mixture ( I did in two parts) until combined. (I mix on low for about 22 seconds) Using a spatula fold in the pineapple apple with the juice, pecans and bananas. Divide among the three pans evenly and bake until center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes (maybe longer depending on the oven). If you ar using two racks switch pans half way through the baking ( I used only one rack and just moved them around on that rack). Cool the cakes in the pan for about ten minutes then turn out onto racks to cool completely.
FOR THE FROSTING:
With a mixer on medium speed high speed beat the butter and confectioners’ sugar until fluffy (2 to 3 minutes). add the cream cheese, one piece at a time and beat until incorporated. Beat in the vanilla and the salt . Refrigerate until ready to use. Spread the frosting cover and refrigerate until ready to use. The cake will keep for about three to four days if refrigerated.