Hummingbird Cake

Ingredients:

Cake

• 2 and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for working with
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 3 overripe bananas, chopped
• 1/2 cup finely chopped pineapple
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. grated nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 and 1/4 teaspoons of baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• 1.75 cups sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• Butter, for greasing

Cream glaze

• 2 packages of cream cheese (230 g each), room temperature
• 170 gr. butter, diced, room temperature
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tbsp finely grated lemon zest
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 170°C. Grease two 20cm round cake pans with butter. Line them with parchment paper, grease it again, and dust with flour.
2. Spread the pecans on a baking sheet and roast until fragrant and toasted, about 8 minutes. Let them cool slightly, then coarsely chop. Combine with the bananas, pineapple, and 1/2 cup flour in a small bowl.
3. Prepare the cake layersIn another bowl, whisk together 2 1/4 cups of the remaining flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, baking soda, and salt. Beat the eggs and sugar in a separate bowl with a mixer on high speed until pale (5 minutes). Gradually pour in the vegetable oil, continuing to whisk.
   
   Pour the flour mixture into the beaten eggs, then fold gently to form a thick dough.
4. Stir in the nut and fruit mixture. Then pour the batter into the prepared pans.
   
   Bake until the cakes are firm and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (50-55 minutes). Cool in the pans on a wire rack (25 minutes), then invert the cakes onto a wire rack to cool completely.
5. Prepare the cream glazeBeat the cream cheese in a large bowl with a mixer until fluffy, then gradually add the butter, continuing to beat until completely combined. Sift the powdered sugar over the mixture. Beat until smooth. Add the lemon zest and vanilla extract. Beat until light and fluffy.
6. Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread about half the frosting on top. Then top with the second cake layer. Spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides of the cake, and refrigerate until serving.
   
   Recipe Cupcakes "Hummingbird".
   
   Chef's Note
   
   Chilling the glaze makes it easier to apply between coats when you need to create dramatic swirls..