Hummingbird Cake

HUMMINGBIRD CAKE

3 C. Unbleached All~Purpose Flour
1 t. Baking Soda
1 t. Cinnamon
1/2 t. Nutmeg ~ freshly grated
1 t. Fine Sea Salt
1 C. Granulated Sugar
1 C. Light Brown Sugar ~ packed
1 1/4 C. Canola Oil
3 Large Eggs
2 t. Pure Vanilla Extract
2 Cups Mashed Very Ripe Bananas ~ about 5 Large Bananas
8 Ounce Can Crushed Pineapple ~ drained
1 1/2 Cups Chopped Pecans
*1 Recipe for Cream Cheese Frosting

Position rack in the lower third of the oven & preheat to 350 degrees F. Butter two 9 ~ by ~ 2 ~ inch round cake pans, then line the bottoms with parchment paper and butter it as well. Lightly dust the pans with flour, tapping the pans on the counter to shake out the excess.

Sift toghether the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, & salt; set aside.

Cream both sugars & oil together til smooth, for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix for 2 minutes, until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla, bananas, & pineapple, mixing until just combined. On low speed, add the flour mixture in thirds, beating until combined; scrape down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Fold in 1/2 cup of the pecans.

Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops with a spatula. Tap the pans firmly on countertop to remove any air bubbles from the batter. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Let cool for 15 minutes, then remove layers from the pans and cool completely on a wire rack.
Decorate frosted cake with remaining 1 cup of pecans. Cake can be stored wrapped in plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Serve at room temperature.

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

1 Stick Unsalted Butter, cut into chunks, at room temperature
Two 8 ~ ounce packages Cream Cheese, cut into chunks, at room temperature
1T. Pure Vanilla Extract
8 Cups Sifted Confectioners' Sugar

Beat butter, cream cheese, and vanilla until smooth and creamy, 3 to 5 minutes. Gradually add confectioners' sugar, beating until light and fluffy, 5 to 7 minutes. The frosting can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.

SPICED CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Add 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon when you add the confectioners' sugar.

And of course no cake in the world is complete without a good cup of tea!