HUMMINGBIRD CAKE

I love writing songs with my dear friend Natalie Hemby and all of our bandmates. Over the course of a long day we wrote the song “Night Owl” while polishing off just about a whole one of these banana, pineapple, and ginger pecan cakes. The song is a romantic lullaby about two lovebirds finding their way back to each other.

Makes one 9-inch triple-layer cake

CAKE

COOKING SPRAY

3 MEDIUM-RIPE BANANAS, FINELY CHOPPED

1½ CUPS FINELY CHOPPED FRESH PINEAPPLE

1 CUP PECANS, FINELY CHOPPED

2 CUPS PACKED LIGHT BROWN SUGAR

1 CUP VEGETABLE OIL

3 EGGS

1 TEASPOON VANILLA EXTRACT

3½ CUPS ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR, SIFTED

1¼ TEASPOONS BAKING SODA

1 TEASPOON GROUND CINNAMON

½ TEASPOON GROUND GINGER

1 TEASPOON SALT

FROSTING

16 OUNCES CREAM CHEESE, AT ROOM TEMPERATURE

2 STICKS (½ POUND) UNSALTED BUTTER, AT ROOM TEMPERATURE

2 TEASPOONS VANILLA EXTRACT

8 CUPS POWDERED SUGAR, SIFTED

GRATED ZEST OF 1 LEMON

DRIED BANANA CHIPS AND DRIED PINEAPPLE, FOR GARNISH (OPTIONAL)

1. Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350˚F. Coat three 9-inch cake pans with cooking spray.

2. Using a whisk, combine the bananas, pineapple, pecans, sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla in a large bowl and mix until blended well. Sift the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and salt into the bowl. Fold in with a rubber spatula until evenly blended. Divide the batter evenly among the 3 pans.

3. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of each cake comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then invert the cakes onto cooling racks and let cool completely.

4. Make the frosting: Using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla in a large bowl until fluffy. Add the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, and blend well. Beat in the lemon zest. The frosting should be creamy and fluffy.

5. To ice the cake, place one layer bottom side up on a dessert plate or cake stand. Top with ¾ cup frosting, spreading it evenly to the edges of the cake. Repeat with a second cake layer and another ¾ cup frosting. Add the top layer and spread the remaining frosting on the top and sides of the cake. Arrange banana chips and dried pineapple on top of the cake for a garnish, if desired.

SOUTHERN SIMPLE: Tuck little strips of wax paper under the bottom edges of the cake to keep the plate clean while you spread the frosting.