Hummingbird Bread with Cream Cheese Frosting

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

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a standard loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, combine mashed bananas, sugar, brown sugar, egg, and oil. Stir until well mixed.

3. Add dry ingredients: Stir in flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt just until no flour remains. Do not overmix.

4. Fold in mix-ins: Gently fold in shredded coconut, pineapple, and chopped pecans.

5. 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.

6. Cool: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

7. 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.

8. 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.

[tasty-recipe id=”19853″]