This easy-to-make hummingbird cake is ideal for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. Made with crushed pineapple, bananas, nuts, and coconut, it’s wonderfully moist and flavorful.
If you need a simple, crowd-pleasing cake for an Easter brunch or any gathering, this hummingbird cake fits the bill. It works equally well as a coffeecake or a dessert cake.
I’ve used this recipe for over 30 years. It originally lived on a 3×5 card, so the source is long forgotten, but the result is consistently delicious and very easy to prepare.
Scroll down for the printable recipe card below.
Public Service Announcement
No hummingbirds were harmed in the making of this cake. The name is a mystery, but the cake is delightful.
This hummingbird cake is moist and full of fruit and nut flavor—pineapple, bananas, shredded coconut, and chopped nuts—balanced so it’s not too sweet. It’s great for breakfast, afternoon tea, or dessert and can be served plain or with a light glaze.
Easy, One-Bowl Recipe
The cake is simple to mix by hand in one bowl. The batter is thick, so an electric mixer isn’t necessary—just a sturdy spoon and some elbow grease. One batch yields about 12–15 servings depending on slice size, making it perfect for gatherings.
How to Make Hummingbird Cake
Start by mixing the oil, sugar, eggs, and vanilla in a large bowl. Sift in the dry ingredients—flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt—and stir to combine. The batter will be quite thick.
Drain an 8-ounce can of crushed pineapple, chop the bananas and nuts, and add them along with shredded coconut to the batter. Stir until everything is evenly incorporated into a thick, moist batter.
Baking the Cake
Grease and flour a standard-sized bundt pan generously. Spoon the batter into the pan and level it. Bake in a preheated 300°F oven for 90 minutes. When done, allow the cake to cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 10 minutes.
Removing the Cake from the Pan
Place a serving plate on top of the bundt pan, hold both securely with both hands, then carefully invert. If you greased and floured the pan well, the cake should release easily.
Optional Glaze
The cake is delicious as-is, but to make it look prettier, let it cool completely and drizzle a simple glaze over the top. Mix powdered sugar with vanilla, then add a few drops of water at a time until the glaze is thin enough to drizzle. Decoratively drizzle over the cake and let it set.
Serve and Enjoy
Let the cake cool, slice, and serve at room temperature. Pair with coffee or tea—this moist, flavorful cake is perfect any time of day.
Enjoy this recipe with family and friends—it’s an easy and satisfying cake that often becomes a favorite.
Printable Recipe
Hummingbird Cake
Yield: 12 servings
Prep Time: 15 mins • Cook Time: 1 hr 30 mins • Total Time: 1 hr 45 mins
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
- 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- 2 bananas, chopped
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut
For the glaze:
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Water, a few drops at a time until drizzle-able
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300°F. Note: mix this thick batter by hand.
- In a large bowl, stir together oil, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until combined.
- Sift flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt into the wet ingredients and stir until combined. Fold in drained pineapple, chopped bananas, nuts, and coconut.
- Generously grease and flour a large bundt pan. Spoon in batter and level. Bake 90 minutes. Cool in pan 10 minutes, then invert onto a serving plate and let cool completely.
- For the glaze, mix powdered sugar and vanilla, adding a few drops of water until it reaches a drizzle consistency. Drizzle over cooled cake, let set, then serve.
Notes
Active prep time is about 15 minutes. The oven time is mostly hands-off—use it as a chance to prepare coffee or tidy up.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 448 (approx.).
Hope you enjoy the recipe—share a slice with someone you love. Have a wonderful day!