Hummingbird Cake – This super moist banana pineapple cake is soft, rich, and topped with creamy cream cheese frosting. A classic Southern dessert perfect for any celebration.
Hummingbird Cake (Super Moist Banana Pineapple Cake)
Updated in 2026: This post now includes improved tips, FAQs, and clearer instructions to help you achieve a perfectly moist and flavorful hummingbird cake every time.
This hummingbird cake is incredibly moist, soft, and packed with banana and pineapple flavor, finished with a rich cream cheese frosting. If you love classic Southern desserts, this is a must-try recipe.
This cake is known for its tender crumb and natural sweetness from fruit, making every bite rich, flavorful, and perfectly balanced.
My husband had never tried hummingbird cake before, and after one bite, he said it reminded him of carrot cake but taken to a whole new level.
What makes this cake so special is the texture. I like to add small chunks of banana and pineapple instead of fully mashing them, so you get a beautiful bite in every slice.
This is the kind of cake that works for everything, from brunch to birthdays to holidays. It looks impressive, but it is surprisingly easy to make.
I like to make a generous amount of cream cheese frosting so I can decorate the outside and get that classic layered cake look.
You can also decorate the top with pecans, banana slices, or pineapple, depending on your preference.
After testing different versions, this recipe gives the perfect balance of moisture, flavor, and structure.
Why You’ll Love This Hummingbird Cake
- Super moist and soft texture
- Made with banana and pineapple for natural sweetness
- Classic cream cheese frosting
- Perfect for celebrations or everyday dessert
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called hummingbird cake?
The name comes from its sweetness, which is said to attract hummingbirds.
What makes hummingbird cake so moist?
The combination of banana, pineapple, and oil creates a very soft and tender cake.
Can I make hummingbird cake ahead of time?
Yes, it can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator.
Does hummingbird cake need to be refrigerated?
Yes, because of the cream cheese frosting, it should be stored in the refrigerator.
I hope you can make this delicious hummingbird cake at home. If you do, tag me @livingsweetmoments and use #LivingSweet.
Southern Living's Hummingbird Cake
Ingredients
For Cake
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 cup pecans toasted and chopped
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- 3 eggs
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups bananas ripe and mashed (about 3-4 bananas)
- 8 oz pineapple juice 1 can
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoons baking soda
For Cream Cheese Frosting
- 32 oz cream cheese softened (4 packs)
- 16 oz unsalted butter softened (4 sticks)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4 cups powdered sugar sifted
Instructions
For Cake
- Preheat oven to 350 Fahrenheit
- Coat 3 (9-inch) round cake pans with cooking spray
- Whisk together flour and next 5 ingredients in a large bowl. Add eggs, oil, and vanilla, and stir just until dry ingredients are moistened. Fold in bananas, pineapple, and pecans. Pour batter in pans
- Bake at 350° for 28 to 30 minutes. Cool in pans for 10 minutes and invert on a wire rack to cool completely
For Frosting
- Place the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla in a mixer and mix on medium speed until smooth and creamy.
- Slowly and in batches add the sugar until incorporated
Assembly
- Place 1 cake layer on a cake stand or serving plate. Top with one-fourth of frosting. Repeat procedure once. Top with remaining cake layer. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake
Notes
Nutrition
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Oh yum! Pinned, yummed and stumbled! This is definitely a keeper!
Thanks so much Lucy! means a lot!
Just a beautiful cake!
Thank you Lori!
Beautiful cake, I cannot stop drooling over it. I know my friends in New Orleans will love this cake!
Thanks Jessica!! I am glad you liked it!
Do you think this would work in a lasagna pan or similar? I do NOT do well with layers. 🙁
If so, temperature or cooking time adjustments?
Hi Tammy! you can certainly make it in a rectangular baking pan. Use the same time and allow more time for cooking. Just insert at the center of the cake to check for doneness. Good luck and let me know how it turns out
What do you mean by 2bags (16oz) powdered sugar? Is that 16 oz total or 2 times a bag of 16 so making it 32 total?
Yes Marsha, 2 lbs of powdered sugar (32 oz)
Hello! I am looking forward to making this recipe soon, but I was wondering, where your eggs room temperature? Also, I’m assuming the cream cheese and butter for the frosting was at least softened, if not room temperature as well. Thanks!!
My eggs were right out of the fridge Kendal. My cream cheese was softened
This is not the original Southern Living recipe and it is unfair to call it such.
There are a number of differences (Chopped bananas not mashed, 2 sticks butter in frosting, not four, etc)
Also if you look at the picture of the Hummingbird cake on the southern living.com site, you will see that these are 2 entirely different cakes.
I am not saying yours is not good, just that it is NOT the Southern Living recipe, their top-requested cake recipe of all time.
Thanks for your comment Eve. Have a great weekend
I absolutely love this Hummingbird Cake recipe! It’s a family favorite, and the combination of bananas, pineapple, and pecans makes it so moist and flavorful. Can’t wait to try your tips for decorating it! Thank you for sharing!
You’re welcome
I just tried the Hummingbird Cake recipe from Southern Living, and it was a huge hit at our family gathering! The combination of banana, pineapple, and pecans is simply divine. I topped it with cream cheese frosting, and it made for the perfect sweet ending. Definitely adding this to my regular baking rotation!
Glad you enjoyed the recipe