Hummingbird Cake Bars are a delightful twist on a beloved Southern classic, transforming the iconic cake into an easy-to-handle bar form. Each bite offers a harmonious blend of sweet banana, tangy pineapple, and crunchy pecans, all crowned with a luscious cinnamon cream cheese frosting that truly elevates this dessert to extraordinary heights. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting, these bars promise a taste of pure comfort and a touch of Southern hospitality, perfect for any occasion from casual gatherings to elegant potlucks.
A Timeless Southern Delight: The Origins of Hummingbird Cake
The Hummingbird Cake holds a cherished place in Southern culinary traditions, but its roots actually trace back to Jamaica, where it’s known as “Doctor Bird Cake.” Named after Jamaica’s national bird, the Doctor Bird (a type of hummingbird), it’s said that the cake is so irresistibly delicious it makes you hum with delight – much like a hummingbird savors nectar. This rich, incredibly moist cake typically features ripe bananas, crushed pineapple, and toasted pecans, bound together with warm, inviting spices like cinnamon. It made its way to the United States and gained immense popularity in the Southern states during the 1970s, quickly becoming a staple at family gatherings, church suppers, and festive celebrations. The original recipe, famously published in Southern Living magazine in 1978 by Mrs. L.H. Wiggins of Greensboro, North Carolina, quickly became a sensation, cementing its status as a quintessential Southern dessert. Its enduring appeal lies not only in its unique and comforting flavor profile but also in its ability to utilize readily available ingredients, particularly overripe bananas that might otherwise go to waste, making it a practical and delightful treat.
Transforming a Classic into Effortless Hummingbird Bars
While the traditional Hummingbird Cake is undoubtedly a showstopper, sometimes you need a dessert that’s a bit more casual, easier to serve, and perfect for grabbing on the go. That’s precisely where our Hummingbird Cake Bars come in! This brilliant adaptation takes all the beloved flavors and textures of the classic layer cake and reimagines them in a convenient, portable bar form. No need for elaborate layering, delicate slicing, or forks – these bars are sturdy enough to be eaten neatly by hand, making them an ideal choice for picnics, bake sales, school events, or simply as a comforting snack throughout the week. This particular recipe comes from my dear friend, Jennifer, who shares her extensive baking wisdom at Bake or Break. Jennifer is a true baking inspiration, and her highly acclaimed cookbook, Quick Shop & Prep 5 Ingredient Baking, perfectly embodies the philosophy of creating amazing baked goods with minimal fuss and maximum flavor.
The Baker’s Pantry: Your Ultimate Guide to Stress-Free Baking
Jennifer’s innovative approach, often referred to as ‘The Baker’s Pantry,’ is an absolute game-changer for anyone who loves to bake but wants to streamline the process without sacrificing quality. The core idea behind this concept is to always have a well-stocked supply of essential baking ingredients on hand, ensuring you’re only ever a few fresh items away from whipping up something truly spectacular. Imagine having a pantry and refrigerator consistently supplied with staples like eggs, milk, high-quality all-purpose flour, butter, granulated sugar, rich light brown sugar, reliable baking powder, baking soda, fragrant vanilla extract, and a selection of common, versatile spices like cinnamon. By keeping these foundational ingredients readily available, you effectively eliminate those last-minute, frustrating grocery runs for basic items. This not only saves valuable time and effort but also genuinely encourages more spontaneous baking adventures. When you have these essential components at your fingertips, the task of adding fresh, flavorful elements like perfectly ripe bananas and juicy crushed pineapple transforms from a potential chore into an exciting and enjoyable creative process. This strategy empowers you to bake more often and with greater confidence, knowing you’re always prepared.
I am absolutely thrilled and grateful that Jennifer has graciously allowed me to share this wonderful recipe for Hummingbird Cake Bars from her fantastic cookbook today. Her rendition is an absolute dream – the bars are perfectly tender and moist, with a delightful richness, yet they are dense enough to hold their shape beautifully without crumbling. And let’s talk about that cinnamon cream cheese frosting! It’s simply divine, providing the ideal creamy tang and warming spice that perfectly complements the sweet fruit and nutty pecan flavors within the bars. It’s a match made in dessert heaven, offering a delightful balance of textures and tastes that will undoubtedly keep you reaching for just one more piece.
Essential Ingredients for Your Hummingbird Cake Bars
Gathering your ingredients is the exciting first step to creating these irresistible Hummingbird Cake Bars. This recipe calls for a thoughtful mix of everyday pantry staples and fresh, flavorful additions that collectively give the bars their distinctive, comforting taste and wonderfully moist texture. To ensure the best possible results, it’s crucial to have your butter and cream cheese softened to room temperature before you begin mixing. This detail significantly impacts the smoothness of your batter and the creaminess of your frosting. And, of course, don’t forget those ripe bananas – the riper they are, the more natural sweetness and moisture they’ll impart to your delicious bars!
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Unsalted butter (softened)
- Granulated sugar
- Light brown sugar (firmly packed)
- Large egg
- Vanilla extract
- Ripe bananas (mashed)
- Crushed pineapple (drained)
- Chopped pecans
- Cream cheese (softened)
- Ground cinnamon
- Powdered sugar
Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Irresistible Hummingbird Cake Bars
Creating these incredibly delicious Hummingbird Cake Bars is a wonderfully straightforward process that yields impressively rewarding results. By following these clear and detailed instructions, you can ensure your bars are perfectly moist, bursting with flavor, and generously topped with that absolutely irresistible cinnamon cream cheese frosting. Remember, precision in baking, especially with measurements and mixing techniques, will guarantee the most successful and delectable outcome.
Preparing the Hummingbird Cake Bars Batter
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the correct temperature before the batter is ready. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray, making sure to cover all corners and sides. This essential step prevents the cake from sticking and ensures your beautifully baked bars will lift out with ease.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisking thoroughly ensures that these dry ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the mixture, which is critical for preventing lumps and promoting a uniform rise in your cake bars. Set this well-combined mixture aside for later use.
Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer set to medium speed, beat the softened unsalted butter together with the granulated sugar and light brown sugar. Continue beating this mixture until it becomes noticeably light, fluffy, and significantly paler in color. This crucial creaming process incorporates air into the butter and sugar, which is vital for achieving a tender and airy cake texture.
Add Egg and Vanilla: Once the butter and sugars are creamed, add the large egg and vanilla extract to the mixture. Beat until these ingredients are thoroughly combined, then pause to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula, ensuring every bit is fully incorporated into the batter for an even consistency.
- Incorporate Fruits: With the mixer running on low speed, gently mix in the mashed ripe bananas and the well-drained crushed pineapple. It’s incredibly important to drain the pineapple thoroughly, as excess moisture can lead to a soggy cake. Mix these fruit additions just until they are combined into the batter; avoid overmixing at this stage, as it can overdevelop the gluten in the flour and result in a tougher cake.
Gradually Add Dry Ingredients: Reduce the mixer speed to its lowest setting. Gradually add the whisked flour mixture (from step 2) to the wet ingredients, mixing meticulously just until everything is combined and you no longer see any visible streaks of dry flour. Again, be extremely careful not to overmix, as this will lead to a dense and tough texture in your finished cake bars.
Fold in Pecans: Remove the bowl from the mixer and gently fold in the chopped pecans using a spatula. These nuts add a wonderful crunch and a rich, nutty flavor that beautifully complements the sweet and tangy fruit notes in the cake.
Bake the Bars: Spread the prepared batter evenly into your 9×13-inch baking pan. Ensure the surface is level for even baking. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted directly into the center of the cake comes out completely clean. The top of the cake should be beautifully golden brown and spring back lightly when gently touched.
Cool Completely: This step is absolutely essential for perfect frosting results! Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before you even think about applying the frosting. Attempting to frost a warm cake will cause the frosting to melt, slide off, and create a very messy, unappealing result. Patience here will be greatly rewarded.
Crafting the Irresistible Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
No Hummingbird Cake Bar is truly complete without its iconic cream cheese frosting. This particular cinnamon-infused version adds an extra layer of warming spice and delightful complexity that perfectly complements the rich, fruit-filled bars.
- Beat Cream Cheese and Butter: In a clean mixing bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the softened cream cheese, softened unsalted butter, ground cinnamon, and vanilla extract until the mixture is thoroughly combined and luxuriously smooth. Ensure there are absolutely no lumps of cream cheese remaining for a perfect frosting texture.
Gradually Add Powdered Sugar: With the mixer still on low speed to prevent a cloud of sugar, gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until it is fully incorporated into the cream cheese mixture. Once all the sugar has been added, increase the mixer speed to medium and continue beating until the frosting is wonderfully light, fluffy, and perfectly smooth with a spreadable consistency.
Achieve Smoothness: Continue mixing for another minute or two if needed to ensure the frosting is completely smooth and spreadable, without any grainy texture from the sugar.
Finishing Touches and Serving Your Hummingbird Bars
Once your Hummingbird Cake Bars are perfectly baked and completely cooled, and your delectable frosting is ready, it’s time to bring all the elements together for a truly spectacular and memorable dessert experience.
- Frost the Cooled Bars: Evenly spread the luscious cinnamon cream cheese frosting over the top of the completely cooled cake. An offset spatula works wonderfully for achieving a smooth, professional-looking, and perfectly even layer of frosting across the entire surface.
Garnish with Pecans: Sprinkle the top generously with the remaining ¼ cup of chopped pecans. This addition not only enhances the visual appeal of your bars but also provides a delightful textural contrast and an extra layer of nutty flavor that complements the cake beautifully.
Cut and Serve: Using a sharp knife, cut the frosted cake into 24 uniform bars. For cleaner cuts, wipe your knife with a warm, damp cloth between slices. Serve immediately and prepare to watch them disappear quickly! These bars are absolutely perfect alongside a fresh cup of coffee, a glass of iced tea, or as a sweet and satisfying ending to any meal.
Storage Tips for Hummingbird Cake Bars
Due to the inclusion of cream cheese in the frosting, these delectable bars are best stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will maintain their freshness and wonderful flavor for up to 3-4 days. If you’re planning ahead, you can also freeze unfrosted bars for up to 2 months; simply wrap them tightly first in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. When ready to enjoy, thaw them at room temperature, then prepare and apply the fresh cinnamon cream cheese frosting before serving.
Variations and Personalization for Your Hummingbird Bars
One of the greatest joys of home baking is the freedom to personalize recipes to perfectly suit your unique tastes and preferences. While this Hummingbird Cake Bar recipe is absolutely perfect and delicious as is, here are a few creative ideas if you feel inspired to experiment and put your own spin on this Southern classic:
- Add Shredded Coconut: For an extra layer of tropical flavor and chewiness, consider folding in half a cup of unsweetened shredded coconut along with the pecans into the cake batter.
- Nut Alternatives: If pecans aren’t your favorite, or if you simply want to try something different, walnuts or even a delightful mix of almonds and pecans can be substituted for a varied nutty crunch.
- Spiced Up: To achieve an even warmer and more complex spice profile, a tiny pinch of freshly grated nutmeg or a touch of allspice can be added to the cake batter alongside the cinnamon.
- Gluten-Free Option: For those with dietary restrictions or sensitivities, a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend can often be successfully substituted for regular all-purpose flour, allowing everyone to enjoy these delicious bars.
More Southern-Inspired Dessert Recipes You’ll Love
If you’ve truly fallen in love with the comforting, rich flavors of these Hummingbird Cake Bars, then you’re undoubtedly in for a delightful treat with other cherished Southern classics. Here are some more irresistible dessert recipes that beautifully capture the essence of homemade comfort, sweet tradition, and the heartwarming hospitality of Southern baking:
- Southern Hummingbird Cake
- Apple Surprise Cake
- Strawberries and Cream Bars
- Watergate Cake
- Kentucky Butter Cake
- Southern Pecan Pie Bars
- Southern Banana Pudding
- Punch Bowl Cake
Hummingbird Cake Bars
Hummingbird Cake Bars are a classic Southern cake recipe made into an easy bar form. The cinnamon cream cheese frosting takes it over the top!
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars (Based on 3 Reviews)
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 24 bars
Author: Brandie Skibinski
Ingredients
For the bars:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (link)
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter (1 ½ sticks), softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar (link)
- ½ cup light brown sugar, firmly packed (link)
- 1 large egg (link)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (link)
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed (link)
- 8 ounce can crushed pineapple, drained
- 1 cup chopped pecans (link)
For the cinnamon cream cheese frosting:
- ½ block cream cheese (4 ounces), softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (½ stick), softened
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (link)
- 2 cups powdered sugar (link)
- ¼ cup chopped pecans (for topping) (link)
Instructions
TO MAKE THE BARS:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg and vanilla, and mix well. Then mix in the mashed bananas and drained crushed pineapple.
- Reduce the mixer speed to low. Gradually add the flour mixture, mixing just until combined. Stir in the pecans.
- Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared pan.
- Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a pick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely.
TO MAKE THE CINNAMON CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:
- Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the cream cheese, butter, cinnamon, and vanilla until thoroughly combined and smooth.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar and mix until smooth and fluffy.
- Spread the frosting evenly over the top of the cooled bars. Sprinkle the top with the remaining ¼ cup chopped pecans.
- Cut into 24 bars and serve.
Recipe Details
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, Southern
Nutrition Information (Estimated Per Serving)
- Calories: 260 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 12g
- Sodium: 54mg
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 25g
Nutritional Disclaimer
Please note that this nutritional information is an estimate. “The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is provided for convenience. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we highly recommend running the ingredients through your preferred online nutritional calculator. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on specific brands used, preparation methods, and exact measurements.
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