Hummingbird Poke Cake Food

HUMMINGBIRD CAKE

Steps:

• Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter two 8-inch round cake pans and line with parchment paper. Butter the parchment and dust with flour.
• Spread the pecans on a baking sheet and bake until fragrant and toasted, about 8 minutes. Let cool slightly, then roughly chop. Toss with the bananas, pineapple and 1/2 cup flour in a small bowl.
• Whisk the remaining 2 1/4 cups flour, the cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, baking soda and salt in a bowl. Beat the eggs and granulated sugar in a separate bowl with a mixer on high speed until thick and light, 5 minutes. Gradually beat in the vegetable oil.
• Sprinkle the flour mixture over the egg mixture, then gently fold to make a thick batter. Fold in the pecan-fruit mixture, then transfer the batter to the prepared pans. Bake until the cakes are firm and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean, 50 to 55 minutes. Cool in the pans on a rack, 25 minutes, then invert the cakes onto the rack to cool completely.
• Make the frosting: Beat the cream cheese in a large bowl with a mixer until fluffy, then gradually beat in the butter until combined. Sift the confectioners' sugar over the cream cheese mixture and beat until smooth. Add the lemon zest and vanilla and beat until light and fluffy.
• Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread about half of the frosting on top, then cover with the other cake layer. Spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides of the cake.
• Photograh by Stephanie Foley

HUMMINGBIRD CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray three 9-inch cake pans with nonstick cooking spray and coat the insides lightly with flour, knocking excess out.
• Whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt and nutmeg in a large bowl.
• Beat together the granulated sugar, oil, coconut flakes, vanilla, eggs, bananas and crushed pineapples in a separate medium bowl. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk until completely combined. Fold in the pecans.
• Divide the batter among the prepared cake pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or the cakes bounce back when lightly pressed with a finger, 20 to 25 minutes. Allow to cool for 30 minutes before removing from the pans and cooling completely on a wire rack. Once completely cooled, level the tops using a serrated knife.
• For the buttermilk frosting: In the meantime, beat the butter in a stand mixer until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the confectioners' sugar 1 cup at a time, beating after each addition until smooth and fluffy. Add the buttermilk, vanilla and salt and beat just to combine. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Use the buttermilk frosting to assemble the cake and decorate with dried pineapple rings and coconut chips.

HUMMINGBIRD CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Grease and flour 1 (10-inch) bundt pan, 2 (8x4x2-inch) loaf pans, or 3 (8 inch) layer cake pans. Set aside.
• Using wire whisk, stir together dry ingredients to simulate sifting. Set aside.
• Break eggs into large mixing bowl. Beat until thick and lemon-colored.
• Add all other cake ingredients (oil, pineapple, nuts, banana, and vanilla) Mix well.
• Gently stir in reserved flour mixture. Mix only until lumps are gone and dry ingredients are moistened.
• Pour into greased and floured pan(s).
• Place pan(s) on center shelf of oven.
• Bake until toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean (about 1 hour for bundt pan, 50 minutes for loaf pans, or 25-30 minutes for layer cake pans).
• Place pan(s) on wire rack for 10 minutes.
• Invert cake onto rack and allow to cool completely.
• For frosting, blend together the cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla extract.
• Frost top of cake with cream cheese frosting.
• This freezes well.

HUMMINGBIRD HOLE-PUNCH CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°; spray a 13 x 9 inch pan with nonstick baking spray with flour.
• In a big bowl, prepare cake mix according to package directions, adding 1 cup chopped pecans.
• Spoon batter into prepared baking pan, and bake for 18-20 minutes or until a pick comes out clean.
• Let cool in pan for 10 minutes.
• Using the end of a wooden spoon, poke 1/2-inch deep holes in cake at 1-inch intervals.
• In another bowl, whisk pudding mix and milk until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes.
• Stir in pineapple; pour mixture evenly over cake.
• Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to 3 days.
• Spread whipped topping over cake, and sprinkle with chopped pecans before serving.
• Store in the refrigerator.

HUMMINGBIRD UPSIDE-DOWN POKE BUNDT CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Generously spray 12-cup bundt cake pan with baking spray with flour. Pour 2 tablespoons melted butter evenly in bottom of pan. Sprinkle brown sugar over butter. Cut pineapple slices in half. Line bottom of pan with pineapple halves, fitting slices close together. Set aside.
• In large bowl, beat cake mix, 1/2 cup melted butter, 1/2 cup reserved pineapple juice, eggs, bananas, cinnamon and nutmeg with electric mixer on medium speed 2 minutes. Pour into pan over pineapple. Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from oven; cool 15 minutes.
• In small bowl, mix Filling ingredients. With handle of wooden spoon (1/4 to 1/2-inch in diameter), poke holes halfway down in cake every inch, wiping spoon handle occasionally to prevent sticking. Carefully pour filling mixture over holes in cake, using spoon to direct mixture into holes. Refrigerate in pan, uncovered, 2 hours.
• Remove from refrigerator, and run metal spatula around outer and inside edges of pan to loosen cake; turn upside down onto serving platter. In small bowl, mix powdered sugar and 2 teaspoons reserved pineapple juice. Drizzle on top of cake; sprinkle with pecans.