Hummingbird Cake with Italian Buttercream

I have very few pictures of this cake. I guess I was just so excited about it that I forgot to whip out the camera.And in case you’re concerned, no hummingbirds were harmed in the making of this cake. Although, maybe this cake is the reason Tim’s face was attacked by a hummingbird last week! A hummingbird buzzed in like a giant killer bumblebee and ran right into Tim’s face. He said his face was even wet with bird spit afterwards. (Do birds have spit?) I’m not sure if it was an accidental flight miscalculation or just a violent attack by a rogue bird. Either way, Tim moved pretty fast in reaction to the “attack’. Quite funny, really!

This is a very easy cake to make but the icing is a labor of love. I’d never made an Italian buttercream before. I was a little scared. I read a lot about them so I would know what to expect and decided to jump in. You have to be brave and patient to make this icing. At least the first time you make it.

The cake, on the other hand, can be made in one bowl like a quick bread. It takes no time at all to mix together. I used a mixer but it’s really so simple it could be stirred together by hand in a large bowl. Italian buttercream is not as sweet as a standard sugary American type buttercream. It is light and fluffy and easy to frost a cake with. It gets its body from a meringue base rather than powdered sugar.

Hummingbird cake is a very moist southern cake. It’s flavored with banana, pineapple, coconut and usually pecans. In this cake I skipped the pecans for allergy reasons. Traditionally this cake is iced with a cream cheese icing but if you know me, you know I’m not a huge fan of the cream cheese icing. I think the buttercream was a great compliment instead.And I swear I took pictures of the sliced cake. . except I can’t find them anywhere. Go figure. I guess I dropped the ball on this one. As long as I didn’t drop the cake! It’s eat off the floor good, though. (Like the old episode of friends when they eat the delicious cheesecake off the floor!)

You should make this. It was so good. The icing is creamy and smooth and the cake is moist and fruity. I loved it! I know you can do it. You’re brave.When you decide to make Italian buttercream do yourself a favor and do a quick Google search to read a few recipes first. I mean read this one, but maybe read a few others. It really will help you get a handle on what to expect when you make it. It’s always good to read several other people’s accounts of making it. Everyone has a different tip or trick that could help you out.

This is one of those baking projects I can really lose myself in and clear my head. I know I am not the only one who retreats to baking and cooking in times of stress or boredom or anxiety, etc. Not that I made this cake for those reasons. This was yet another birthday treat! Perfect for a very special birthday!

Italian Buttercream

6 egg whites

1 tsp cream of tartar

pinch of salt

1/3 cup water

1 1/4 cup sugar

3 sticks butter, slightly cooler than room temp, cut into slices

1 tsp vanilla

Combine the sugar and water and salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Heat until the mixture comes to a boil and reaches 240 degrees. (soft ball stage)

While the sugar mixture heats, whip the egg whites and cream of tartar in the bowl of a stand mixer until fluffy and peaks form. Set aside until the sugar syrup is up to temperature.

With the mixer running and whipping the egg whites, slowly drizzle the hot syrup into the whipped egg whites. Keep whipping the egg mixture until the bowl of the mixer feels cool to the touch. This will take a while. Be patient. It’s important it cools down.

Once the mixture is cool, add the vanilla and begin adding the butter a pat at a time. It will start to look soupy and curdled. DON’T WORRY! Keep whipping! Keep adding the butter a little at a time. Keep whipping & whipping & whipping! Be mean to that buttercream!

The buttercream will start to come together the more and more butter you add. Once you’ve added it all, keep whipping some more! It will take some time for it to come together into the fluffy delicious icing you are looking for. Be patient and be brave. Your time and effort will be rewarded. All this whipping is the reason I will only make this icing in a stand mixer. It does all the heavy work for you. Eventually you will have a light and fluffy buttercream. I put mine in a sealed bowl and left it out at room temperature over night until I had cool cake layers to ice the next day. I refrigerated the cake after it was iced only because it was a hot day and I didn’t want the cake to run.

Hummingbird Cake

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

3 eggs

3/4 cup vegetable oil

1 1/2 cups mashed bananas

1 8 oz can crushed pineapple, undrained

1 cup shredded sweetened coconut

2 tsp vanilla

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

3 cups flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

This could not be easier. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

I stirred this up in one large bowl. In the bowl add the sugars, eggs, oil, banana, pineapple, coconut, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and give it all a good stir. Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder & salt. Stir it all until combined.

Pour the batter in even amounts into 3 lightly greased 9″ cake pans. I like my cakes in 3 layers. If you want 2 layer cake you can just increase the bake time a little.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool about 30 minutes and then remove from the pan and allow to cool completely before assembling the cake and frosting.