Hummingbird Sheet Cake

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This Hummingbird Sheet Cake is the kind of dessert that wraps you in a warm Southern hug. Moist, fragrant with cinnamon, and loaded with bananas, pineapple, and pecans, it’s crowned with a luscious cream cheese frosting that you could eat by the spoonful. If you love banana bread or carrot cake, this is your sweet spot—rich, nostalgic, and surprisingly easy to whip up.

Perfect for potlucks, family dinners, or any occasion where you want to impress without fuss. Baked in a sheet pan, it delivers all the cozy flavor of the classic layer cake, minus the layering. One bowl, one pan, and a whole lot of wow.

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What Kind of Pineapple Should I Use?

For the best texture and flavor, use crushed pineapple in juice—not syrup. The juice helps keep the cake extra moist and tender. Drain it lightly but don’t squeeze out all the moisture. If you only have pineapple chunks, give them a blitz in the blender or food processor until finely chopped.

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Ingredients for the Hummingbird Sheet Cake

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 (8 oz) can crushed pineapple (with juice)
• 2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 4 bananas)
• 1 cup chopped pecans (plus more for topping, optional)
• Cream Cheese Frosting (see below)

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How To Make the Hummingbird Sheet Cake

Step 1: Prep the Pan and Preheat

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch sheet pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt until evenly combined.

Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients

Add eggs, oil, and vanilla to the dry mixture. Stir just until moistened (don’t overmix). Then fold in the crushed pineapple with juice, mashed bananas, and chopped pecans until just incorporated.

Step 4: Bake

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 45–50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let it cool completely in the pan before frosting.

Step 5: Frost It Up

Once the cake is cool, spread with cream cheese frosting and sprinkle with extra chopped pecans if desired.

Cream Cheese Frosting

• 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  Beat all ingredients together until smooth and fluffy.

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How to Serve and Store Your Hummingbird Sheet Cake

This cake is perfect at room temperature and doesn’t require any fancy presentation. Slice it right from the pan for easy serving. It’s just as delightful cold from the fridge if you like a firmer texture to your frosting.

To store, cover the cake tightly and refrigerate for up to 5 days. You can also freeze individual slices (frosted or unfrosted) for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight or at room temp for a few hours.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this cake in advance?

Yes! This cake actually tastes better the next day once the flavors have had time to meld.

What can I use instead of pecans?

Walnuts are a great substitute, or you can skip the nuts altogether if there’s an allergy concern.

Can I use fresh pineapple?

Absolutely. Just make sure it’s finely crushed and juicy. You’ll need about 1 cup.

Do I need to refrigerate the cake?

Because of the cream cheese frosting, yes—store it in the fridge if not serving within a few hours.

Can I use whole wheat flour?

You can swap up to half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat. It will give a denser texture but still delicious.

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Want More Cake Ideas?

If you’re all about cozy, fruity cakes, you’ll love diving into these delicious bakes too:

• Decadent Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting for a spiced treat with creamy topping.
• Cherry Chocolate Cheesecake when you’re craving something rich and tangy.
• Nutella French Toast Casserole for a brunch bake that doubles as dessert.
• Irresistible Pecan Pie Bites for a crunchy, caramelly delight.
• Cinnamon Donut Bread for a twist on breakfast and cake in one.

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Save This Pin + Share Your Results

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dessert board so you can come back to it any time.

And when you try it, let me know how it turned out! Did you toast the pecans first? Add a dash of nutmeg? Skip the frosting altogether? I’d love to hear how you made it your own.

Got questions? Drop them in the comments below or find more cozy cake ideas over on my Pinterest at Nina Dishes.

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