Why is my Hummingbird Cake dry?

Hummingbird cake is a sweet and moist spice cake that gets its name from the sugar content that mimics the energy needs of hummingbirds. It features mashed bananas, crushed pineapple, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. When properly made, hummingbird cake has a very moist, almost pudding-like texture. However, if your hummingbird cake turns out dry, there are a few key reasons why this delicious cake may not have achieved the desired moistness.

Potential Causes of Dry Hummingbird Cake

There are several aspects that can result in a too-dry hummingbird cake:

• Overbaking – Hummingbird cake bakes for 30-35 minutes usually. Going over the recommended baking time can quickly dry out the cake.
• Not enough bananas – Bananas provide moistness, so not using enough very ripe bananas can make the cake dry.
• Substituting oil for butter – Butter lends moisture, while oil does not. Using oil instead of butter makes a drier cake.
• Too much flour – Using too much flour can result in a drier crumb. Stick to recipe guidelines for flour.
• No pineapple juice – The crushed pineapple lends moisture, so draining it leads to dryness. Use juice too.
• Improper mixing – Over-mixing develops gluten for a drier texture. Mix just until incorporated.
• Oven temperature too high – High heat dries out cakes quickly. Use recommended oven temp.
• Storing improperly – Letting cake sit out dries it over time. Store airtight at room temp.
• Old baking powder – Old baking powder won’t leaven as intended for proper rise and moisture.

Evaluating these common issues can help diagnose what went wrong if your hummingbird cake is too dry.

Solutions for Dry Hummingbird Cake

Luckily, if you’ve ended up with a dry hummingbird cake, there are some easy ways to introduce moisture and improve the texture:

Use Simple Syrup

A simple syrup made from equal parts sugar and water boiled until dissolved can be brushed onto cake layers or poked into the cake with a fork. The syrup will soak in and provide moisture to the crumb of an already-baked dry cake.

Glaze the Cake

Adding a glaze or icing to the outside of the cake will seal in moisture and prevent it from drying out further. Cream cheese frosting pairs especially nicely with hummingbird cake.

Store Properly

Make sure to wrap any uneaten cake well in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. This prevents the cake from drying out over time in the fridge.

Add Fruit and Nuts

Fold in additional sliced bananas, pineapple tidbits, or chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to moisten up leftover cake slices. The extra fruit and nuts will impart moisture as well as more flavor.

Use a Moisture-Retaining Filling

Fill dry layered cakes with ingredients that will add moisture back, like lemon curd, pastry cream, pineapple filling, or fresh whipped cream.

Make Cake Pudding

Crumble extremely dry cake into bite-size pieces and combine with milk, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, and spices. Bake into a bread pudding style dessert for a yummy way to use up dry cake.

Tips to Prevent Dry Hummingbird Cake

Going forward, you can also employ these handy tips to keep your hummingbird cake tender and moist:

Use Very Ripe Bananas

The riper the bananas, the more moisture they impart. Bananas should be generously speckled brown.

Replace Oil with Butter

Butter has extra water and fat compared to oil, keeping cakes moister. Always opt for butter over oil.

Don’t Over-Mix Batter

Gently mix just until no streaks of flour remain. Extra mixing develops gluten strands leading to tougher, drier texture.

Check Oven Temperature

Make sure your oven thermometer is properly calibrated for accurate temp. Too high and cake dries out fast.

Follow Recipe Exactly

Baking is chemistry. For best results, weigh out ingredients and stick to the recipe without substitutions.

Use Fresh Baking Powder

Old baking powder won’t cause adequate rise for lighter, moister crumb. Use new powder.

Reduce Baking Time If Needed

Watch carefully and reduce bake time by a few minutes if cake seems to be browning too quickly on top.

Test Cake for Doneness

The toothpick test prevents overbaking. Cake is done when pick inserted in center comes out clean.

Cool Completely Before Frosting

Icing a warm cake can cause the crumb to dry and crack. Let cool completely first.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ideal texture for hummingbird cake?

Hummingbird cake should be very moist and tender, with a fine delicate and soft crumb. It should be pudding-like and almost fall apart when eating a slice.

Can you make hummingbird cake without pineapple?

You can, but the pineapple lends lots of moisture, and the cake may end up drier without it. Replace pineapple with very ripe diced mangoes or additional bananas.

What liquids help keep hummingbird cake moist?

The liquid ingredients like milk, oil, eggs, bananas, crushed pineapple with juice, yogurt, and extracts all provide moisture to hummingbird cake.

Should you store hummingbird cake in the fridge or on the counter?

Wrapped tightly at room temperature is best for the first 2-3 days to retain best texture and moisture. Then refrigerate to extend shelf life.

How long does hummingbird cake last?

Properly stored, covered hummingbird cake will last 3-5 days at room temp or up to 1 week in the refrigerator. Frosted cake keeps 1-2 days less than unfrosted.

Conclusion

Hummingbird cake is meant to be very moist, but dryness can happen for a variety of reasons. Thankfully, there are many tricks to rehydrate a dry hummingbird cake and keep future cakes nice and moist. Be sure to use very ripe bananas, keep pineapple juice, use butter over oil, don’t overmix, control bake time and temperature, and store properly. Follow these tips for decadent, moist hummingbird cake every time!