Hummingbird Cake

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.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, pecan nuts, and salt, then set aside.

In another bowl, mash together the bananas.

Add the finely chopped pineapple to the mashed bananas.

Add in the eggs, white sugar, light soft brown sugar, milk, and vanilla extract, then mix well to combine.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix well.

Pour the batter evenly between the baking tins.

Bake in an oven preheated to 160 degrees fan for 25 to 30 minutes.

Once baked, leave the cakes to cool completely before frosting.

To make the cream cheese frosting, beat the butter until smooth in a bowl.

Add the cream cheese and mix together.

Add the icing sugar and vanilla, then beat on a low speed until just combined.

Increase the speed and whisk until the frosting is thick and creamy.

Spread cream cheese frosting between the sponge layers and cover the cake with the remaining frosting.

To make pineapple flowers, trim off the rind and remove the eyes from the pineapple using a small sharp knife.

Cut the pineapple into thin slices.

Arrange the slices on a tray lined with paper towel, place another sheet on top, and press firmly to remove moisture.

Transfer to a parchment-lined tray and bake at 80 degrees fan for 30 minutes.

Flip the slices over and bake for a further 30 minutes.

Continue this process until the slices are mostly dry but still pliable.

While still warm, place the slices into a muffin tin and leave to dry overnight.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens