Description
Hummingbird Poke Cake is a delightful twist on the classic Southern hummingbird cake, featuring moist yellow cake infused with ripe bananas and crushed pineapple. After baking, the cake is poked to allow a luscious blend of sweetened condensed milk and vanilla pudding to soak in, creating a rich and creamy texture. Topped with a smooth cream cheese frosting folded with whipped topping and finished with toasted pecans, this cake is perfect for gatherings and offers a tropical, indulgent dessert experience.
Ingredients
Cake Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 medium bananas)
- 1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple, undrained
- 3 large eggs
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- ¼ cup milk
Poke Filling
- 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 box (3.4 ounces) vanilla instant pudding mix
- ½ cup milk
Frosting
- 8 ounces cream cheese (softened to room temperature)
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1½ cups whipped topping
- 1 cup pecans (toasted and roughly chopped)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Cake Batter: In a large bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, cinnamon, mashed bananas, crushed pineapple with juice, eggs, vegetable oil, and milk. Stir until all ingredients are just combined to maintain a tender crumb.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 28 to 32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the cake is fully cooked.
- Poke Cake Surface: While the cake is still warm, use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes all over the surface. This creates channels for the filling to seep into the cake.
- Prepare and Add Poke Filling: Whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, vanilla instant pudding mix, and ½ cup of milk until the mixture thickens slightly. Pour this mixture evenly over the warm cake, allowing it to soak into the holes. Let the cake cool completely.
- Make the Frosting: Beat together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Gently fold in the whipped topping to lighten the frosting.
- Frost and Garnish: Spread the prepared frosting evenly over the cooled cake. Sprinkle the top with toasted and roughly chopped pecans for a crunchy finish.
- Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours to allow flavors to meld and frosting to set before serving.
Notes
- To toast pecans, spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Ensure cream cheese is softened to room temperature to avoid lumps in the frosting.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute whipped topping and cream cheese with suitable non-dairy alternatives.
- Use ripe bananas for maximum sweetness and moisture in the cake.
- The poke cake method allows the filling to soak into the cake, making it moist and flavorful.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American