Hummingbird bread is a beloved Southern classic that brings together the best of banana bread and pineapple upside-down cake. This recipe marries ripe bananas, juicy pineapple, and crunchy nuts in a tender, spiced batter. The result is a wonderfully moist quick bread that's both comforting and a little bit tropical. Topped with a silky cream cheese frosting, it's the kind of treat that disappears quickly at potlucks and family gatherings. The beauty of this bread lies in its simplicity - it's easy to make but tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.
Have you ever tasted a slice of heaven? That's what Southern Hummingbird Cake Bread feels like when you bite into it. This classic treat combines the tropical goodness of bananas and pineapples with a hint of cinnamon, creating a moist and flavorful loaf that's hard to resist. Top it off with a creamy, tangy cream cheese frosting, and you've got yourself a dessert that'll make your taste buds sing.
What's great about this Hummingbird Bread Loaf is how simple it is to make. You don't need to be a master baker to whip up this delicious treat. Just mix the ingredients, pop it in the oven, and let the magic happen. Before you know it, your kitchen will smell amazing, and you'll have a perfect Pineapple Banana Bread ready to enjoy.
So, let's roll up our sleeves and get baking. I promise you, this Easy Hummingbird Bread recipe is worth every minute you'll spend making it.
What You'll Need for Your Banana Pineapple Loaf
For the Hummingbird Bread:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 very ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 (8 oz) can crushed pineapple, drained
- 1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Understanding Your Ingredients
Before we start baking, let's take a closer look at what makes this Moist Hummingbird Bread so special:
All-purpose flour
This is the base of our bread. It gives structure and helps hold everything together. Be careful when measuring - too much can make your bread dry and heavy.
Baking soda
This is what makes our bread rise. It reacts with the pineapple to create little air bubbles, making the bread light and fluffy.
Salt
Just a bit of salt makes all the flavors pop. It balances out the sweetness and makes everything taste better.
Ground cinnamon
This warm spice adds a cozy flavor that goes great with the tropical fruits. Feel free to add a bit more if you love cinnamon.
Granulated sugar
Sugar doesn't just make things sweet. It also keeps the bread moist and helps it brown nicely in the oven.
Eggs
Eggs hold everything together. They also add richness and help the bread rise. Try to use room temperature eggs for the best results.
Vegetable oil
Oil keeps the bread moist, even when it's cold. This is why our bread stays soft and delicious for days.
Ripe bananas
The riper, the better! Very ripe bananas are sweeter and have a stronger flavor. They also help keep the bread moist.
Crushed pineapple
This gives our bread a tropical twist. It adds sweetness and moisture. Make sure to drain it well so your batter isn't too wet.
Shredded sweetened coconut
Coconut adds a subtle tropical flavor and a bit of texture. The sweetened kind adds extra sweetness too.
Vanilla extract
A little vanilla makes all the other flavors taste better. It also makes your kitchen smell amazing while the bread is baking.
Chopped pecans (optional)
If you like some crunch in your bread, pecans are great. They add texture and a nutty flavor. If you don't like pecans, you can leave them out or use walnuts instead.
Let's Make Some Hummingbird Bread
Now that we know what goes into our bread, let's get baking!
- Get your oven ready: Turn your oven on to 350°F (175°C). This way, it'll be hot and ready when we're done mixing. While it's heating up, grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
- Mix the dry stuff: In a bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. This makes sure everything is evenly spread out in the batter.
- Mix the wet stuff: In another bowl, mix the sugar, eggs, and oil until they're well combined. It should look smooth and a bit frothy.
- Add the fruits: Mash your bananas and add them to the wet mixture. Then add the drained pineapple, coconut, and vanilla. Mix it all up. Don't worry if it looks a bit lumpy - that's normal!
- Combine wet and dry: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir gently until everything is just combined. Don't overmix - a few small lumps are okay.
- Add nuts if you want: If you're using pecans, gently stir them in now.
- Bake it: Pour the batter into your greased pan. Put it in the oven and bake for about 60-70 minutes. Start checking at 55 minutes - it's done when a toothpick stuck in the middle comes out clean or with just a few crumbs.
- Cool it down: Once it's done, take it out of the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then take it out of the pan and let it cool completely on a wire rack. Don't rush this step - if you frost it while it's warm, the frosting will melt!
Making the Best Cream Cheese Frosting for Hummingbird Bread
While your bread is cooling, let's make that delicious cream cheese frosting:
- Soften the cream cheese and butter: Make sure they're at room temperature. This helps avoid lumps in your frosting.
- Beat them together: Mix the cream cheese and butter until they're smooth and creamy. This usually takes 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer.
- Add sugar: Slowly add the powdered sugar, mixing on low speed at first. Once it's mixed in, increase the speed and beat until it's smooth and fluffy.
- Add flavor: Mix in the vanilla extract. This adds a nice depth to the frosting.
- Check the thickness: If it's too thick, add a little milk. If it's too thin, add more powdered sugar. You want it to be easy to spread but not runny.
Putting It All Together
Now for the fun part - frosting your Homemade Hummingbird Bread with Frosting!
- Frost the bread: Once your bread is completely cool, spread a thick layer of frosting on top. Don't be shy - a good amount of frosting is part of what makes this bread so good!
- Add toppings if you want: You can sprinkle some chopped pecans or coconut on top of the frosting if you like.
- Slice and enjoy: Cut your bread into thick slices. It might get a bit messy because of the frosting, but that's part of the fun!
Tips for Perfect Hummingbird Bread Every Time
- Use very ripe bananas: The riper they are, the sweeter and more flavorful your bread will be.
- Don't overmix: Mix just until everything is combined. Overmixing can make your bread tough.
- Check it while baking: Start checking your bread about 5-10 minutes before the recipe says it should be done. Every oven is a bit different.
- Let it cool completely: It's tempting to frost it right away, but waiting until it's completely cool will give you the best results.
- Store it right: Keep your frosted bread in the fridge. It should last about 5-7 days. Let it come to room temperature before eating for the best taste.
Enjoy Your Southern Treat
There you have it - a delicious Southern Hummingbird Cake turned into a moist, flavorful bread. This Easy Hummingbird Bread is perfect for breakfast, dessert, or anytime you need a little something sweet. The combination of bananas and pineapple makes it extra moist, while the cream cheese frosting adds a tangy sweetness that's hard to resist.
Whether you're making it for a special occasion or just because you're craving something tasty, this Classic Hummingbird Cake Bread is sure to be a hit. It's like a little slice of the South in every bite!
So go ahead, give this recipe a try. Your taste buds (and anyone lucky enough to share it with you) will thank you. Happy baking!