HUMMINGBIRD CAKE RECIPE | Made Easy with Box Cake Mix

vegetable oil

🥗Healthier: applesauce

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Applesauce reduces fat while keeping moisture.

cream cheese

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: ricotta cheese

Greek yogurt lowers calories while maintaining creaminess.

chopped pecans

🥗Healthier: chopped walnuts

💰Cheaper: sunflower seeds

Sunflower seeds are nut-free and more affordable.

powdered sugar

🥗Healthier: coconut sugar

💰Cheaper: granulated sugar

Granulated sugar is a more cost-effective option.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

In a large bowl, add 15.25 ounces of white cake mix.

Add 1/2 cup of milk (or water) to the cake mix.

Add 1/2 cup of melted butter instead of oil.

Add 3 large eggs (room temperature) to the mixture.

Add 8 ounces of crushed pineapple (with juice) to the bowl.

Measure and add 1 cup of mashed ripe bananas (about 2 medium bananas).

Add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the mixture.

Using an electric hand mixer, mix the ingredients together for 1 minute.

Add 1 cup of chopped pecans (or walnuts) and mix for an additional 2 minutes until fluffy.

Spray two 9-inch cake pans with cooking spray (with flour) or grease and flour them.

Divide the batter evenly between the two pans and tap them to remove air bubbles.

Bake in the preheated oven for 23 to 28 minutes, checking with a toothpick for doneness.

Once baked, let the cakes rest in the pans for 10 minutes before flipping them onto a cooling rack.

In a medium or large bowl, combine 8 ounces of cream cheese and 8 tablespoons (1/2 cup) of room temperature butter and blend for 1 minute.

Gradually add 4 cups of powdered sugar to the cream cheese mixture, mixing carefully to avoid a mess.

Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and mix until fluffy.

Place one cake layer on a cake platter (top side down) and add a dollop of frosting in the center to hold it in place.

Spread about one third of the frosting evenly on top of the first cake layer.

Place the second cake layer on top (top side down) and spread half of the remaining frosting on top.

Use the rest of the frosting to cover the sides of the cake.

Remove the parchment triangles used for easy frosting cleanup.

Decorate the center of the cake with whole pecans.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens