Hummingbird

It's hard to believe that the little guy in the photo is going to be 5 in a couple of weeks. I dug out this photo because Bisous is looking for a cake recipe for her daughter's first birthday. I immediately thought about the Hummingbird Cake recipe, which is what that bunny cake up there is made out of. (I miss the days of bunny cakes. Now it gets more complicated because that little guy in the picture now wants a Lexus birthday cake. How do we manage THAT, other than putting a Matchbox or Hotwheels version of a Lexus on top???)

Here's the recipe:

HUMMINGBIRD CAKE
From recipezaar.com

Ingredients

• 
  

Cake

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3 large eggs, beaten
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple, undrained
• 1 cup chopped pecan
• 2 cups chopped bananas
• 1/2 cup chopped pecan

Cream Cheese Frosting

• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 1 (16 ounce) package powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Combine first five ingredients in a large bowl; add eggs, and oil, stirring until dry ingredients are moistened.

2. (Do not beat) Stir in vanilla, pineapple, 1 cup pecans, and bananas.

3. Pour batter into 3 greased and floured 9" round cake pans. (I used 2 )

4. Bake at 350 degrees F for 25-30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.

5. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes; remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks.

6. Spread Cream Cheese Frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake; sprinkle 1/2 cup chopped pecans on top.

7. Store in refrigerator.

8. Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter at medium speed, with an electric mixer until smooth.

9. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating at low speed until light and fluffy.

10. Stir in vanilla.

11. Yield: 3 cups

Calories - a gazillion

Since the cake was for a one year old, I left out the pecans. The first time I had this cake it was in three layers, but it has the density of a carrot cake, so you really don't need to layer it. I made the bunny head using two round pans, cutting out the two ear part, then using the left over part for the bow-tie. I also used store bought tube decorating frosting and confections to decorate.

Most importantly, he loved it...


Yesterday's song:
Hot Dogs and Hamburgers - John Mellancamp

PEACE