Sweet Sunday

A little more time intensive than the desserts I usually like to blog about but so worth it. A delicious marriage between carrot cake and banana bread. Two of my all time faves. It's lighter than carrot cake, almost crumbly (though still in a moist way) yet bearing the distinct (though not overpowering) flavor of banana. It has a Cream Cheese Pecan frosting which gives a nod toward the Carrot Cake family. It's light and airy enough for a summer night but rustic and autumn'esk for the fall days to come.

~HUMMINGBIRD CAKE~

Modified from Country Home magazine (2008)

Prep/assembly time: 45 minutes | Baking time: 25-30 minutes | Cooling time: 15 minutes
Serves: 12-16 people

Ingredients (cake):
3 cups flour (gluten free or regular)
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed light brown sugar
3 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup fresh pineapple, crushed (see below)
2 cups roasted bananas*, mashed (approximately 4 large or 6 medium-small bananas with peel left on)
1 cup chopped pecans
Parchment paper to line bottom of the cake pan

Cream Cheese Frosting:
1 ½ sticks unsalted butter, chilled
3-8 ounce packages of cream cheese, chilled
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 ½ cups powdered sugar, sifted
1 ½ cups finely chopped pecans

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 
 
2. Place bananas on a cookie sheet with peels left on. Bake in the oven for 12 minutes until the skins are black (the bananas may leak which is fine). Remove and let cool until they can be handled. Peel bananas, place in a small mixing bowl and mash. Set aside. Leave the oven heated to 350 degrees.

3. Butter and flour 3-9 inch round baking pans. Trace the bottom of the pan (for all three pans) onto parchment paper, cut out circle and place in the bottom of each pan.

4. In a sifter over a large mixing bowl combine the flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. Sift into the bowl. Set aside.

5. In a second large mixing bowl combine the granulated and brown sugar; stir to combine. Add the eggs and stir briskly by hand to combine all ingredients into a smooth mixture.

6. Whisk the oil and vanilla into the sugar/egg mixture until combined and smooth.

7. Add the flour mixture all at once and hand stir (do not beat) to combine the mixture fully.

8.  Place 1 cup of finely diced fresh pineapple in a medium mixing bowl and using a potato masher, crush the pineapple. Add the fruit and juice to the batter. Also add the mashed banana and the pecans. Stir just until combined; do not over stir.

9. Divide the batter evenly between the three pans. Tap the pans on the counter top to release any air bubbles and place in the 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes until cake bounces back to the touch and a toothpick inserted in the cake comes out clean.

10. Allow to cool in pans on racks for 5 minutes then turn out onto cooling racks to fully cool before frosting. Be sure to peel off and discard the parchment paper.

To Make the Cream Cheese Frosting:

1. Cut sticks of chilled butter into 1 inch pieces and place in the bowl of a standing mixer (can use a hand held mixer if needed). Beat on low speed, gradually increasing speed to medium until the butter is still cool but has softened together (about 3 minutes).

2. Cut the cream cheese into 1 inch strips and add to the butter. Mix at medium speed until fully combined, and smooth.

3. Add the vanilla and slowly add the sifted powdered sugar. Beat until well blended, increasing speed to beat on medium-high for 3 minutes or until the frosting becomes light and fluffy.

4. Fold in pecans by hand.

Cake assembly:

1. Place the first layer of cake upside down (the bottom of the cake will be frosted) on the serving plate. Cover with 2/3 cup of frosting. This will be a thin covering.

2. Place the second layer of cake right side up (flat cake bottom onto the frosting) and frost the top of this layer with 2/3 cup again (note: I found I needed just a bit more to cover this layer).

3. Place the last cake layer with cake right side up and use the remaining frosting to cover top of cake and the sides.

4. Allow cake to stand at room temperature 30 minutes before serving and store any uneaten cake in the refrigerator. Cake best when made the day prior to serving.

I hope this ends your weekend on a sweet note!