6 Ways with Hummingbird Cake

March 30, 2012
Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck
Since the Hummingbird Cake recipe originally ran in 1978, it has become the most requested recipe in Southern Living history.A signature Southern dessert, the Hummingbird Cake has been a favorite of our readers for almost 40 years. We gathered our best Hummingbird Cake recipes, all of which put a special spin on the sweet pineapple-banana-cream cheese combination. Though it’s hard to improve on the original—there are more than a few readers dedicated to Mrs. L.H. Wiggins’ classic 1978 version—we have a selection of delectable Hummingbird Cake recipes that take the original to new heights, literally. You’ll love whipping up our stunning, party-perfect Mile-High White Chocolate Hummingbird Cake, an indulgent layer cake recipe that incorporates white chocolate in eight luscious layers. Equally stackable and delicious, we have the family-favorite recipe for Hummingbird Pancakes, a sweet treat ideal for leisurely weekend mornings. Don’t forget our lightened version and the simplified bundt cake style; try out any of these tasty Hummingbird Cake recipes and savor one this season.  
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Hummingbird Bundt Cake

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Hummingbird Bundt Cake

From pineapple to cream cheese, the same ingredients first featured in the 1978 version of this popular layer cake still shine in our new version— simplified by baking in a Bundt pan.

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The Original Hummingbird Cake Recipe

Photo: Southern Living

Originally submitted by Mrs. L.H. Wiggins of Greensboro, North Carolina in our February 1978 issue, this Hummingbird Cake recipe is known to have won numerous blue ribbons at county fairs.

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Hummingbird Cake

The first time it ran in the magazine it had 1 1⁄2 cups of oil and double the frosting. We much prefer this version today; it’s every bit as yummy as the original, higher-fat version.

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Mile-High White Chocolate Hummingbird Cake

Eight layers and a spoon-licking white chocolate-cream cheese frosting make this updated version more spectacular than the original. But it's easy as can be because of convenience products such as cake mix, instant pudding mix, and canned pineapple.

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Lightened Hummingbird Cake

The Lightened version makes simple substitutions such as using applesauce for some of the oil and light rather than regular cream cheese. Your whole family will love the sweet pineapple and banana cake topped with delicious Cream Cheese Frosting.

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Hummingbird Pancakes

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Hummingbird Pancakes

This showstopping stack has the same flavor profile as the original Hummingbird Cake recipe, and the cream cheese frosting is transformed into a lip-smacking Cream Cheese Anglaise to drizzle on top.

Watch: Hummingbird Pancakes

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35th Anniversary Hummingbird Cake

Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck

Recipe: 35th Anniversary Hummingbird Cake

Over-ripe bananas (yellow peels splotched with brown flecks) are best for baking. You won't get the same depth of flavor or moistness without them.

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