Short description

This Hummingbird Bread is a moist, fruit-filled quick bread inspired by the Southern classic cake. Made with ripe bananas, pineapple, coconut, and pecans, and topped with a smooth cinnamon cream cheese frosting, it’s perfect for brunch, dessert, or a sweet snack.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Tropical flavors: A blend of banana, pineapple, and coconut brings bright, warm flavors.
Rich yet balanced: The cream cheese frosting adds sweetness without overwhelming the loaf.
Perfect for all occasions: Elegant enough for entertaining, simple enough for everyday.
No mixer required: Easy preparation with pantry ingredients.
Make ahead friendly: Tastes even better the next day!

Ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Bread:

3 ripe bananas, mashed
½ cup sugar
½ cup sweetened shredded coconut
¼ cup brown sugar
1 large egg
¼ cup canola or vegetable oil
1½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
½ cup diced pineapple, patted dry
½ cup chopped pecans

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

4 oz cream cheese, softened
¼ cup butter, softened
½ cup powdered sugar
½ tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp ground cinnamon

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a standard loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.
Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, combine mashed bananas, sugar, brown sugar, egg, and oil. Stir until well mixed.
Add dry ingredients: Stir in flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt just until no flour remains. Do not overmix.
Fold in mix-ins: Gently fold in shredded coconut, pineapple, and chopped pecans.
Bake: Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 55–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prepare the frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon, and beat until creamy.
Frost and serve: Once the bread is completely cool, spread the frosting evenly on top. Garnish with extra pecans if desired. Slice and enjoy.

Servings and timing

Yield: 8–10 slices
Prep time: 10 minutes
Bake time: 55–60 minutes
Cool and frost time: 30 minutes
Total time: Approximately 1 hour 40 minutes

Variations

Nut-free: Omit the pecans or replace with sunflower seeds for a crunch.
Extra fruit: Add chopped dried mango or golden raisins for more tropical flavor.
Coconut topping: Toast extra shredded coconut to sprinkle over the frosting.
Mini loaves: Divide batter into smaller loaf pans and reduce baking time to 30–35 minutes.
Glaze alternative: Replace the frosting with a light lemon or vanilla glaze for a simpler touch.

Storage/reheating

Room temperature: Store unfrosted bread wrapped tightly for up to 3 days.
Refrigerator: Store frosted bread in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Freezing: Wrap slices or the whole loaf (without frosting) in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months.
To serve: Thaw overnight in the fridge and frost just before serving.

FAQs

1. Can I use canned pineapple instead of fresh?

Yes, canned pineapple works well—just make sure to pat it dry to avoid excess moisture.

2. Can I skip the cream cheese frosting?

Absolutely. The bread is delicious on its own or with a light glaze instead.

3. What type of bananas should I use?

Use overripe bananas with lots of brown spots for the best flavor and moisture.

4. Can I make this into muffins?

Yes. Divide the batter into a lined muffin tin and bake for 20–25 minutes.

5. Can I reduce the sugar?

You can reduce either the white or brown sugar slightly, but keep enough for balance.

6. Do I need to toast the pecans?

Toasting is optional but enhances their nutty flavor.

7. Can I use whole wheat flour?

You can substitute up to half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat, but expect a denser texture.

8. How do I know when it’s fully baked?

Insert a toothpick into the center—if it comes out clean or with a few crumbs, it’s ready.

9. Can I make this dairy-free?

Yes, use dairy-free cream cheese, plant-based butter, and swap oil for the butter in the bread.

10. Can I use unsweetened coconut?

You can, though sweetened coconut adds moisture and sweetness. You may want to slightly increase the sugar.

Conclusion

This Hummingbird Bread is a beautiful, flavorful fusion of fruit, nuts, and tropical flair, topped with a creamy cinnamon frosting. With its moist texture and versatile options, it’s a perfect recipe to impress guests or enjoy at home with a cup of tea or coffee. Make it ahead, frost generously, and savor each flavorful slice.

Hummingbird Bread with Cream Cheese Frosting

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Author: Douaa
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 1 loaf (8–10 slices)
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

This moist and tropical Hummingbird Bread is packed with ripe bananas, pineapple, coconut, and pecans, then topped with a luscious cinnamon cream cheese frosting. A comforting twist on the Southern classic hummingbird cake, this quick bread is perfect for brunch, dessert, or gifting.

Instructions

Preheat Oven:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.
Mix Wet Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, combine mashed bananas, sugar, brown sugar, egg, and oil.
Add Dry Ingredients:
- Stir in flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until just mixed.
Fold in Add-Ins:
- Gently fold in shredded coconut, pineapple, and chopped pecans.
Bake:
- Pour batter into prepared pan.
- Bake for 55–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let cool on a wire rack completely before frosting.
Make Frosting:
- Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
- Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon. Beat until fluffy.
Frost and Serve:
- Spread frosting over the cooled bread.
- Optional: top with extra pecans. Slice and enjoy.

Notes

Pat pineapple dry to prevent excess moisture in the loaf.
For extra spice, add 1/4 tsp nutmeg to the batter.
Store frosted bread in the fridge; unfrosted bread can be frozen.
Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Southern American