Hummingbird cake, a sweet and moist banana-pineapple spice cake, is also known by several other names including Jamaican hummingbird cake, doctor bird cake, and Granny cake. While hummingbird cake is the most common name used in the United States, especially in the South, the cake has origins in Jamaica where it was traditionally made with local ingredients like bananas and pineapples.
Opening Paragraphs
Hummingbird cake first became popular in the United States in the late 1970s after Southern Living magazine published a recipe for the cake. The name “hummingbird cake” comes from the cake’s sweetness that supposedly would attract hummingbirds. The cake has similarities to banana bread but also includes pineapple, nuts, cinnamon, and sometimes coconut. The cream cheese frosting or topping is an integral component that helps balance the sweetness and moisture of the cake.
While hummingbird cake is the standard name, several alternate names exist including doctor bird cake, Granny cake, and Jamaican hummingbird cake. Doctor bird is another name used in Jamaica referencing the indigenous Doctor Bird or swallow-tail hummingbird. Granny cake is thought to refer to this cake being the type traditionally baked by grandmothers in Jamaica. Jamaican hummingbird cake directly associates the cake with its Caribbean origins.
Origins in Jamaica
Hummingbird cake originated in Jamaica where it was traditionally made with local ingredients like bananas and pineapples. Some of the earliest known recipes come from Jamaican cookbooks in the late 1950s and 1960s. The tropically flavored cake likely got its start in Jamaica because bananas and pineapples were abundant and inexpensive local ingredients.
In Jamaica, the cake is sometimes referred to as doctor bird cake or doctor bird pudding. The doctor bird is Jamaica’s national bird and is indigenous to the island. Also called the swallow-tail hummingbird, it is one of the two species of hummingbird found in Jamaica. The doctor bird name for the cake directly references Jamaica.
Another common Jamaican name for hummingbird cake is Granny cake. This name is thought to refer to hummingbird cake being considered a customary homemade cake baked by grandmothers in Jamaica. Traditional homemade cakes baked by grandmothers are sometimes called Granny cakes in the local culture and vernacular.
Spread to the United States
While hummingbird cake originated in Jamaica, the cake became popularized in the United States in the late 1970s. Southern Living magazine first published a recipe for hummingbird cake in 1977 or 1978, helping spread it beyond just the Southern states. This published recipe is credited for first bringing the cake into the mainstream in the U.S.
The Southern Living article that introduced hummingbird cake reportedly called it a “traditional Southern cake,” but it clearly had Jamaican roots. By listing cinnamon, bananas, and pineapple as key ingredients, the recipe brought an exotic tropical cake into kitchens across the country.
Name Origins
There are several thoughts around how hummingbird cake got its common American name:
- The sweetness from loads of bananas, pineapple, and sugar needed to attract hummingbirds
- The moist, soft crumb resembling the delicate inside of a banana flower which hummingbirds are drawn to
- The speckled appearance of nuts and fruit akin to the colors on a hummingbird
Whatever the exact origins, the hummingbird name clearly ties to the cake’s sweet flavors and soft texture that birds apparently can’t resist.
Key Ingredients
While specific recipes may vary a bit, the core ingredients in hummingbird cake include:
Bananas
Bananas provide moistness and sweet banana flavor. Most recipes call for 2-3 very ripe bananas.
Pineapple
Crushed pineapple adds even more moisture and tropical fruit flavor. Either drained canned pineapple or fresh pineapple works.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon adds warmth and spice to balance the sweetness. About 1-2 teaspoons is normal.
Vanilla
Vanilla extract enhances the other flavors. Typically 1-2 teaspoons is used.
Nuts
Chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts provide crunch and texture. Some recipes omit nuts for nut-free versions.
Cream Cheese Frosting
A creamy cream cheese frosting offsets the dense moist cake and is an expected topping.
Variations
While the standard hummingbird cake ingredients like bananas and pineapple make it distinctly a hummingbird cake, there are some variations on additional ingredients:
Coconut
Shredded coconut can be added to give a more tropical flair reminiscent of piña coladas.
White Chocolate Chips
Melted white chocolate chips can be folded into the batter for extra sweetness and moisture.
Jamaican Rum
A splash of rum added to the batter gives it a true taste of the islands. But the alcohol cooks off during baking.
Spices
Extra spices like nutmeg, allspice, ginger, or cloves might show up in some recipes.
Oil
While butter is most common, coconut oil or canola oil can provide variations in moisture and flavor.
Steps for Making Hummingbird Cake
Here is an outline of the basic steps and tips for making hummingbird cake from scratch:
Prep Ingredients
Be sure to gather very ripe bananas, drained canned pineapple, chopped nuts, and other ingredients before starting.
Mix Dry Ingredients
Whisk together dry ingredients like flour, spices, salt, baking soda, and sugar in one bowl.
Cream Butter and Sugar
Beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add Eggs and Bananas
Beat in the eggs one at a time followed by the mashed bananas.
Add Remaining Wet Ingredients
Stir in vanilla, pineapple, oil or melted butter, and any other wet ingredients just until blended.
Fold in Dry Ingredients
Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture in 2-3 parts until just combined.
Fold in Nuts
Fold in chopped nuts or mix-ins being careful not to overmix.
Bake
Pour batter into a greased baking pan and bake at 350°F for 55-65 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool Completely
Allow cake to cool completely before frosting so the frosting doesn’t melt.
Frost Cake
Use cream cheese frosting to frost the top and sides or as a filling between layers.
Tips for Making the Best Hummingbird Cake
Use these tips for moist, flavorful homemade hummingbird cake:
Use Very Ripe Bananas
Well-ripened bananas impart more banana flavor and moisture vs. firm, greenish bananas.
Don’t Overmix Batter
Gently fold wet and dry ingredients rather than beating to avoid a dense cake.
Check for Doneness
Test doneness with a toothpick. Underbaking leaves raw batter while overbaking dries out the cake.
Allow Adequate Cooling
Let the cake cool completely before adding frosting so it doesn’t melt and absorb into the cake.
Use Fresh Pineapple
For best flavor, use fresh pineapple instead of canned when possible.
Toast the Nuts
Toasting nuts brings out more flavor. Just avoid burnt nuts.
Consider Layers
Bake as a layer cake instead of a sheet cake to allow for frosting between layers.
Common Questions About Hummingbird Cake
What is hummingbird cake?
Hummingbird cake is a banana-pineapple spice cake with cream cheese frosting that originated in Jamaica but became popular in the Southern United States.
What makes it called hummingbird cake?
The cake is called hummingbird likely because of the sweetness from ripe bananas, pineapple, and sugar that supposedly would attract hummingbirds.
Is hummingbird cake Jamaican?
Yes, hummingbird cake originated in Jamaica but became widespread in the U.S. after being shared in Southern Living magazine. It’s considered Jamaican in origin but embraced as a Southern U.S. dessert.
What are common hummingbird cake ingredients?
Bananas, pineapple, cinnamon, vanilla, sugar, flour, eggs, butter, nuts, and cream cheese frosting are the key ingredients found in most hummingbird cake recipes.
What can I substitute for pineapple in hummingbird cake?
If you don’t have pineapple, you can substitute an equal amount of mashed ripe peaches, mashed strawberries, drained crushed canned mandarin oranges, or drained crushed canned pineapple. Fresh or canned drained pineapple works best though.
Can I make hummingbird cake without nuts?
Yes, you can leave out the nuts and make nut-free hummingbird cake. The nuts provide some crunch and texture contrast but aren’t essential to the flavor.
How long does hummingbird cake keep?
Properly stored hummingbird cake will last 3-5 days refrigerated. Frosted or unfrosted cake can be frozen up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Conclusion
With origins in Jamaica using local ingredients like bananas and pineapple, hummingbird cake has become a beloved Southern dessert in the U.S. Its defining ingredients like ripe bananas, crushed pineapple, cinnamon, and cream cheese frosting make it unique compared to other cakes. While typically called hummingbird cake, it also may be referred to as Jamaican hummingbird cake, doctor bird cake, or Granny cake. No matter what you call it, hummingbird cake’s blend of spices and tropical flavors come together in a sweet cake with avid fans across the South and beyond.
