On Saturday night, I baked a
Hummingbird cake. I've been meaning to bake it since I tried it in a
wonderful tea room in York called Georgina's Café. Theirs was in
tray bake style and rather rustic in appearance. That was the charm
for me. I choose it due to it's appearance, looking like the ugly
duckling amongst all the other layered cakes and because I'd seen it
in my Magnolia Bakery cookbook. I've been itching to bake something
that I'd consider to be proper 'home baking'.
I was so excited to make this and in
true OCD (obsessive cake disorder) style, had to frost it immediately
after it cooled. I wouldn't have been able to sleep knowing there
was an unfrosted, gorgeous cake in my kitchen! Maybe I need help?!
But that's how much I'm passionate about cake and the finished item.
I had to see it in all it's glory before I crept to bed at 1am.
I used this recipe from BBC Food
It's similar to carrot cake due to the
nuts and cinnamon and using oil instead of butter. However, this has
more depth and scope than carrot cake. The bananas and pineapple
transforms it into something really special and is utterly delicious. I didn't use mango as stated in the
recipe, however used more pineapple and cinnamon to compensate. I
love cinnamon and recipes could always use a bit more for my palette!
I sprinkled toasted desiccated coconut on top, which ignited all the
flavours. The cake is finished with a smooth cream cheese (full fat
Philadelphia) frosting.
Verdict: Hummingbird cake is now my
favourite cake. It has everything for me - fruit, nuts, spice and a
rich centre and topping. The texture of it is perfect, dense and yet
still so moist.
