Mary Berry Hummingbird Cake

Dive into the delightful world of the Hummingbird Cake, a treat that's as enchanting as its namesake. This cake, a beautiful blend of sweet and fruity flavors, stands out with its light, fluffy sponge filled with bananas and pineapple, topped with a zesty cream cheese icing and a crunchy pecan brittle. Perfect for special occasions or simply to indulge in a delicious slice of cake, this Hummingbird Cake recipe is sure to please.

Ingredients for the Hummingbird Cake

• For the cake:
  • Olive oil: 250 ml
  • Self-raising flour: 350 g
  • Ground cinnamon: 1 level teaspoon
  • Golden caster sugar: 350 g
  • Very ripe bananas: 4 medium
  • Pineapple chunks (tin): 1 x 425 g
  • Large free-range eggs: 2
  • Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon
  • Pecans: 50 g
• For the icing:
  • Icing sugar: 400 g
  • Unsalted butter (room temperature): 150 g
  • Cream cheese: 200 g
  • Limes: 2
• For the brittle:
  • Caster sugar: 100 g
  • Pecans: 50 g

Preparation Instructions

1. Bake the Cake: Begin by preheating your oven and preparing your cake tins. Combine your dry ingredients and then mix in your mashed bananas, chopped pineapple, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. After combining well, fold in your finely chopped pecans and divide the mixture into your cake tins to bake.
2. Create the Icing: While the cake bakes, prepare the icing by mixing icing sugar, butter, cream cheese, and the zest and juice of a lime.
3. Prepare the Brittle: For the brittle topping, caramelize sugar with a splash of water, then add pecans and a pinch of salt, pour onto a greaseproof paper to set, and once cool, break into pieces.
4. Assemble the Cake: Once the cake layers are cool, spread icing on the first layer, add the second layer and cover with the rest of the icing, and top with brittle dust and lime zest.

Storage and Reheating

• Refrigeration: Keep the cake in the fridge in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic, ideally for up to 4 days.
• Freezing: You can freeze the cake by wrapping it in plastic wrap, either whole or in slices, for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and bring to room temperature before serving.

Nutritional Information

Each serving of this delightful cake offers a mix of flavors and textures, with a nutritional breakdown approximately per serving as follows: 684 calories, 36.4g fat, 11g saturated fat, 69g sugars, 0.5g salt, 5.1g protein, 89.7g carbs, and 1.5g fiber.

FAQ about the Hummingbird Cake

• Why is it named Hummingbird Cake? It's thought to be due to its sweet, fruity flavors that are as appealing as the nectar to hummingbirds.
• What does it taste like? It offers a perfect mix between carrot cake and banana bread, with a tropical twist from pineapple, the crunch of pecans, and the creaminess of cream cheese icing.

Original recipe from Jamie's Comfort Food by Jamie Oliver​​.

Enjoy this exquisite Hummingbird Cake, a dish that promises a burst of tropical flavors and textures, perfect for any gathering or a quiet afternoon treat.