Hummingbird Bundt Cake with Cream Cheese Glaze

hummingbird bundt cake is a new spring tradition

Grab your prettiest bundt pan and let’s get baking ~ you’re going to be amazed at how quick and easy this hummingbird bundt cake is, without skimping on any of the qualities that make this classic cake so fantastic. It’s super moist, with lots of texture from diced bananas, crushed pineapple, and walnuts. I’ve winnowed the recipe down to one bowl and a few simple steps. That means you don’t have to block out an entire afternoon to make this for your family and friends.

Also try my ONE BOWL HUMMINGBIRD CAKE BARS for another casual take on this classic dessert.

shopping list for hummingbird bundt cake

• all purpose flour
• sugar
• salt and baking soda
• cinnamon and nutmeg
• eggs
• vegetable oil
• vanilla paste or extract
• crushed pineapple
• bananas
• walnuts

GLAZE

• cream cheese
• unsalted butter
• vanilla paste or extract
• confectioner’s sugar
• milk or cream to thin

I broke in my new Stained Glass Bundt Pan with this recipe. A hummingbird bundt cake is traditionally an imposing layer cake, but using a bundt make it a little more casual, and more appropriate for breakfast or brunch. This would be perfect for Easter or Mother’s Day!

Intricate bundt pans are beautiful but removing the baked cake can be harrowing. Even with nonstick pans you need to prep them carefully. You can spray them with a baking spray that contains flour, or you can brush the surface with shortening and lightly flour it. Either way, wait 10-15 minutes after baking to attempt the big reveal. If a little bit remains in the pan, gently pry it loose and stick it right back onto the cake ~ nobody will know that anything’s amiss, and anyway, the glaze will hide the evidence.

storage and freezing

Because of the cream cheese icing, any leftover of this cake should be refrigerated. It will keep for up to a week. But if you’d like to make it ahead, the cake itself can be frozen. Just don’t add the frosting until thawed and ready to serve.

tips for making a hummingbird bundt cake

• Be sure to properly prep your bundt pan with cooking spray and then a good coating of flour. Be sure to get every nook and cranny, especially if you’re using an intricate pan like I did.
• Note that you do not drain the crushed pineapple before adding it to the batter.
• Let the cake cool before removing it from the pan: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before removing it. This will help prevent the cake from falling apart or sticking to the pan. I like to go around and gently loosen all the edges with a thin offset spreading knife first.
• If you want to show off the pattern in your bundt cake use a thinner glaze that will settle into the lines and highlight them. Just add more milk or cream to the recipe below. Make sure you let the cake cool completely before attempting to glaze it or your glaze will sink right in.
  This hummingbird bundt cake can be made into a 3 layer cake, just divide the batter between 3 cake pans and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. To frost, cream 1 pound room temperature cream cheese with 1 cup (2 sticks) room temperature butter, then add 1 pound sifted confectioner’s sugar and a tablespoon of vanilla extract or paste.