Hummingbird Cake

Surely, this moist, pecan- and fruit-flecked cake must get its name from the sugary nectar upon which fluttering hummingbirds lunch. This namesake sweet is at least as popular among the birds’ Southern human counterparts. Indeed, it is Southern Living’s all-time most requested recipe. This is my adaptation of the magazine’s classic version.

MAKES ONE 8- OR 9-INCH 3-LAYER CAKE / SERVES 10 TO 12

CAKE

3 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
1⁄2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 cup canola or other vegetable oil
3 large eggs, beaten
2 cups ripe mashed bananas (about 4)
One 8-ounce can (1 cup) crushed pineapple with juice
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans

FROSTING
1 pound cream cheese, softened
1⁄2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
6 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
1 tablespoon bourbon
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans, lightly toasted
For the Cake

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease and flour three 8- or 9-inch cake pans.

2. Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, baking soda, and nutmeg in a large bowl and stir to mix. In a separate bowl, whisk together the canola oil and eggs until combined. Add the bananas and crushed pineapple with juice and stir to mix.

3. Stir the egg mixture into the flour mixture with a wooden spoon or spatula just to combine. Stir in the vanilla and pecans.

4. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake on the center rack of the oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.

5. Remove the cakes from the oven and let cool in the pans for about 10 minutes. Run a small knife around the edges of the pans before turning the cakes out onto baking racks to cool completely before frosting.

For the Frosting

1. Cream the cream cheese and butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Slowly add the confectioners’ sugar and beat until all is incorporated. Beat in the bourbon and vanilla to combine.

Put It All Together

1. Once the cakes have cooled completely, use a long, serrated knife to slice off the rounded top portion of each cake to make a flat, even surface. Discard the trimmings.

2. Place one layer, cut side down, on a large plate or cake stand. Spread evenly with about a third of the frosting, and sprinkle with about a third of the pecans. Repeat with the remaining layers, spreading the remaining frosting over the top of the cake and sprinkling with the remaining pecans. Spice and serve.

3. If not serving within 2 hours, store in the refrigerator; remove the cake about 1 hour before serving, and let come to room temperature.