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.
Oooooo fabulous...Hummingbird cake is the best! Many people haven't heard of it but they're always wowed by the taste!! Yours looks so pretty! :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your lovely comments again Laura! I think that everyone should try Hummingbird cake because it's so delicious. I think I'll be making it again soon... ! :-)
DeleteWhat a lovely mix of flavours
ReplyDeleteThank you! It looks so tempting and lush doesn't it? I like the contrast of the brown and white :-)
DeleteWhat a beautiful looking cake! I love Hummingbird cakes although I've never actually made one (probably because my aunty bakes such a good one I don't want to compete!) Like yourself I often get struck by OCD and find myself still icing cakes at 1am. How can others go to bed when their cake is naked in the kitchen?! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment! I have no idea Jo, it had to be finished so I could sleep soundly! Does you Aunty use any special ingredients? You should definitely give it go though :-)
DeleteHummingbird is definitely one of my favourite all time flavours too! Yours looks delish! I especially like the look of all that yummy toasted coconut on top!
ReplyDeleteHey! Thank you for commenting! Yes, the toasted coconut really set the cake off in my opinion. I love toasted nuts anyway, it just transforms them :-)
DeleteWhat a yummy cake! I like this very much. Well done!
ReplyDeleteThank you Alida!
DeleteOh that looks gorgeous, I love Hummingbird Cake! Your glass cake stand and cover is really beautiful too!
ReplyDeleteHi Hannah, isn't it the most amazing cake?! Delicious. Thank you, but the stand is actually plastic! It's brilliant because I'm rather clumsy and I don't need to worry about breaking it :-) It's from Laura Ashley. P.S following your blog now.
DeleteHow delicious. Great with a cup of tea!
ReplyDeleteYes it was! It was my meal replacement for a few days :-)
DeleteWow! Gorgeous Hummingbird cake! Love this delicious flavor cake! Great job on the frosting, looks lovely & very elegant! :)
ReplyDeleteu go girl u kept that a secret dint yas
ReplyDeleteIs that you Amanda?! :-)
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