There are so many recipes from "outside" that get introduced to the Amish. I mean, the list is endless. Even whoopie pies, synonymous with the Amish, may have originated in Maine and been adopted by the Amish. And with today's recipe, well, no food historian would ever credit the Amish with coming up with pineapple cake.

Hummingbird cake is a moist banana-pineapple spice cake with Caribbean origins and a popular dessert in the southern United States. Still, the cake has been introduced into Amish culinary culture and become quite popular. Legend has it that the cake is so sweet that it attracts hummingbirds. I'd make one and set it outside sometime to see if any hummingbird come, but I'd hate to waste a good cake!
🗺️ Where To Find Good Hummingbird Cake?
I seem to find the best homemade hummingbird cake in hole-in-the-wall restaurants like this one in Blackberry Corners, Ohio.
I once sampled some of this delicious cake at Blackberry Corners, a small dive in an obscure patch of Ohio about 5 miles south of the Lake Erie shore. I can't imagine the place is ever that crowded (I think their claim to fame are their pies and their potato chip-topped pizza) but for about 10 days each May it is transformed into a packed place the Greatest Week of Birding, an annual festival held nearby that celebrates the spring migration of our feathered friends. So you have a bunch of Subaru driving birders from all over descending by the dozens on this normally quiet diner. I've been there a couple of times during the birding festival, they are the closest diner to all the bird action, and I just think the get overwhelmed during that week. Service is usually pretty slow and the wait staff, understandably perhaps, seem harried and haggard. But this homemade hummingbird cake was delicious. Here is a picture I took of it before I devoured it. It has the more traditional cream cheese frosting.
❓ What Is Amish Hummingbird Cake?
Amish hummingbird cake really isn't much different than other versions. The most noticeable difference is the absence of pineapple, which most hummingbird cake recipes call for. You could, however, add it into this recipe if you wanted it. The addition of bananas as a substitute fruit is an Amish favorite.
📜 Tips For Making a Great Hummingbird Cake
Hummingbird cake is a moist and delicious cake that is made with crushed pineapple, bananas, pecans, and cream cheese frosting or various variations.
- Use overripe bananas. The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful they will be.
- Toast the pecans. Toasting the pecans will bring out their flavor and add a nice crunch to the cake.
- Use vegetable oil instead of butter. Vegetable oil will help to keep the cake moist and prevent it from becoming too dense.
- Don't overbake the cake. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool completely before frosting it. This will help the frosting to set properly.
🙋 Amish Hummingbird Cake FAQ
Yes, if you like hummingbird cake but you are not a pineapple fan, just omit the pineapple, most Amish versions don't have pineapple.
Do not drain the pineapple, the juice will make it sweeter and tastier!
Yes, you can freeze a hummingbird cake for a couple of months.
🎂 More Popular Amish Cake Recipes
Cake For Company
Enjoy this cake, it's a unique twist on hummingbird cake. A lot of people think hummingbird cake resembles carrot cake. But there are no carrots in this cake. But there are mashed bananas and toasted pecans. It makes for a super dessert! As far as a hummingbird cake recipe goes, this is an easy one. You can use a stand mixer for the flour mixture, which you should mix in a large bowl.
🖨️ Full Recipe
Old-Fashioned Amish Banana Hummingbird Cake With Homemade Glaze
Ingredients
- · 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 tablespoons cinnamon
- 3 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup vegetable oil·
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup chopped pecans optional
- 2½ cups chopped bananas
- 8 ounces of crushed undrained pineapple optional
Banana Glaze
- 3 tablespoons butter softened
- half of one banana, mashed
- 1 1 /2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Combine first five ingredients in a large bowl; add eggs,and oil, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened.
- Add vanilla, pineapple, pecans, and bananas. Fold in witha fork - do not beat.
- Pour batter into greased 9x13 pan.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes or until toothpickinserted into center comes out clean.
Pam
Silly question I know, but can this cake be made without the banana's?
BELLE
I JUST WANT TO SAY I ENJOY YOUR LETTERS SO MUCH. I THINK YOU ARE SO DOWN TO EARTH AND SENSIBLE ON SO MANY THINGS I AM 77 AND YOU AND I THINK ALIKE ON SO MANY THINGS GOD BLESS YOU
I SURE DO LIKE THE RECIPES AND READING ABOUT THE AMISH THANK YOU SO MUCH PLEASE KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND I ENJOY ALEXIA TOO
Kevin Williams
Thank you, Belle, glad you enjoy my ramblings!
Lisa Phillips
Um recipe doesn't say anything bout pineapple what kind & is it strained
Kevin Williams
The pineapple is optional, you can add 8 ounce can of undrained pineapple, crushed, if you wish.
Claudine in Fort Worth, TX
I've looked everywhere, but I cannot find how to do the glaze.
Please help me. This looks so luscious.
Kevin Williams
Good to hear from you, Claudine, the instructions might have gotten lopped off, here is what it should be for the banana glaze:
5. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and beat until well mixed.
6. Frost cake while hot - the glaze will melt over the cake.
Claudine in Fort Worth, TX
Thank you, Kevin, for being so prompt. I'm planning on making this for our Sunday dessert!
Kevin Williams
Enjoy, hope it turns out well!
Sandra Werner
Made exactly as per the recipe and it was delicious and moist. Enjoyed by all. Thank you
Kevin Williams
So glad you enjoyed, thank you for telling us, Sandra!