However; I was watching tv this week and was intrigued by a recipe that was shared. It was a take on Hummingbird Cake...it's Hummingbird Bread Pudding (how clever is that)!!
I checked around to find the best Hummingbird Cake recipe and found it in Southern Living magazine. I wanted to add both of these recipes to my "to make" list because they have rave reviews and aren't too terribly complicated (that's a must for me...I am a simple girl so I like delicious, simple meals)!!
Intrigued by the name of this cake, I did a little research and here's what I found:
Legend of the Hummingbird Cake
Despite its name, Hummingbird cake is not made from or for hummingbirds. It is a moist, flavorful cake made from a relatively simple recipe. Many speculate that the cake's name is due to its sweetness, but the origin of the cake remains a mystery.
History
In 1978, Southern Living Magazine published Mrs. L.H. Wiggin's Hummingbird Cake recipe in its February issue. This publication is the first known printed reference to the cake. Mrs. Wiggin provided no explanation of the cake's name in the issue, leaving readers to wonder as to its origin. Hummingbird cake quickly became the magazine's most requested recipe and was elected favorite recipe ever in 1990. It has won many awards at various Southern county fairs including the Favorite Cake Award at the 1978 Kentucky State Fair. The recipe consists of two to three layers of cake filled with pecans, mashed bananas, crushed pineapple and cream cheese frosting.
Jamaican Theory
The hummingbird, also known as the Doctor-Bird, is the Jamaican National Bird. This particular type of hummingbird lives only in Jamaica. Foodtimeline.org states that a recipe for Doctor-Bird cake appeared in the Jamaican Daily Gleaner in March 1969. The recipe included bananas, one of the main ingredients for Hummingbird Cake.
Southern Theory
Due to the ingredients of the cake and the fact that it appeared first in Southern Living, many believe the cake originated in the Southern United States. According to the Dallas Morning News, Hummingbird cake is a "relative youngster in the pantheon of Southern classics," but is a popular favorite among those living in the South.
Additional Theories
There are several different theories about the origination of the name for Hummingbird cake. Some say that the cake is so delicious it makes you hum with happiness while others think the cake is named because it's sweet enough for hummingbirds. Another theory is that people hover around the cake similar to the way hummingbirds hover around flowers. Foodtimeline.org notes that perhaps it was named after the way the cake draws people in and is eaten quickly, similar to the eating pattern of those tiny energetic fliers.
Other Names
Hummingbird cake is known by various names in different parts of the world and has probably been around longer than what has been documented. A few of the names include Cake That Won't Last, Jamaican Cake, Granny's Best Cake, Nothing Left Cake and Never Ending Cake. Each variation has slightly different measurements, directions and added nuts and fruit, but all produce a similar result.
Bon Appétit!!
Hummingbird Cake
The ultimate recipe for Hummingbird Cake. Its the most requested recipe in Southern Living magazine history and frequents covered dish dinners all across the South, always receiving rave reviews.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, undrained
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 2 cups chopped bananas
- Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
Directions:
Combine first 5 ingredients in a large bowl; add eggs and oil, stirring until dry ingredients are moistened. (Do not beat.) Stir in vanilla, pineapple, 1 cup pecans, and bananas.Pour batter into three greased and floured 9-inch round cakepans. Bake at 350° for 25 to 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes; remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks.
Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
- 1 (16-ounce) package powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
Beat cream cheese and butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating at low speed until light and fluffy. Stir in vanilla.Donna Bell's Bake Shop Hummingbird Bread Pudding
Ingredients:
- 1/2 loaf French bread
- 6 large eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 tablespoons vanilla
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 3 cups milk, whole
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- 2 bananas (one mashed, one cut into small bites)
- I can crushed pineapple (drained)
- 1 cup pecans
Cube bread or rustic tear into small pieces
Whisk eggs, add vanilla and milk- mix
Add dry ingredients- sugar, cinnamon
Mix in smashed banana
Fold in banana pieces, pecans, coconut, and pineapple
Add all bread to mixture- stir and mix
Let mixture sit for 10-15 minutes- mix again after 5-10 minutes
Pour mixture in greased casserole pan, bake at 350 degrees F for about 45 minutes
Cool, serve, top with Cream Cheese Pecan Sauce (recipe follows)
Cream Cheese Pecan Sauce
Ingredients:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar, plus extra if needed
- 4 tablespoons milk, plus extra if needed
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup crushed pecans
Whip cream cheese with spoon and add powdered sugar slowly until smooth. Add vanilla and milk. Mix completely. Fold in pecans and drizzle over warm Hummingbird Bread Pudding!
2 comments:
Deb,
The Hummingbird Cake sounds like a July Birthdays keeper! We'll have to try it.
Love, Pam
YUMMY! I am now hungry!!! :) These both look so good!
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