Doctor Bird Cake

The hummingbird is the National Bird of Jamaica and this cake was named after that bird. Did you know that a hummingbird is also known as a doctor bird? I had no idea and it makes no sense to me, but then I've never been to Jamaica. In 1979 this recipe found it's way to America in hopes that tourism would increase. It's a sweet cake that has fruit, spices and normally finished with a cream cheese frosting. Southern Living featured the cake on it's cover in 1978 and is considered a Southern staple. Every fine Southern Belle knows how to make a hummingbird cake. Makes you wonder how this Sicilian housewife stumbled upon this recipe, no? I had bananas and didn't want to throw them away.

After reviewing the recipe, I decided that it was time to give it an update and put my own spin on it. That's the best part about recipes, they are guides and you can tweet them to make them your own.

Having six ripe bananas and not willing to make banana bread yet again, I decided it was time to explore my recipe books. If a banana bread and a spice cake had an offspring, it would be this cake. Let me rephrase that, a good banana bread, not a nasty dry one. This cake is extremely moist from the bananas and you don't really taste the pineapple. It offers just a hint of sweetness and texture. I'm not a pineapple fan and didn't think I would care for this cake but this is delish. My recipe tasters all agreed that this is a keeper of a recipe!

Since this is a Southern recipe base, I feel the need to tap into my Southern roots and type with an accent, y'all! I actually do have Southern roots since my father was born in Boomer, West Virginia. I feel this allows me a Southern accent.

Here's what y'all need to make this delightful:

3 cups of flour bake: 350 degrees 35-40 mins

2 cups of sugar 3 baking layer cake pans

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

3 eggs

1 1/2 cups of vegetable oil

2 cups mashed ripe bananas

1 can (with juice) crushed pineapple

1/2 cup dried mango (chopped & optional)

1/2 cups dried cherries (optional)

1 cup chopped nuts (I used walnuts) pecans are traditional

Cream Cheese Frosting:

2 blocks of softened cream cheese

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 tsp almond extract or 1 tbsp of Bourbon

(if using Bourbon, ya'll need a tad more to brush on your baked layers to enhance the flavor)

Use a stand mixer and combine the oil, sugar, cinnamon until it mixed well. Add the eggs, one at a time. Your goal is to incorporate air into the mix so your cake with be light and fluffy. Add the bananas and pineapple and continue to mix. On low, add the dry ingredients. Once combined, by hand, stir in the nuts.

Fill your baking pans half way up and bake for 35-40 mins or until your knife comes out clean. Allow the layers to cool completely. Your cakes will be a beautiful golden brown and y'all be able to see the fruit and nuts peaking out. Well bless your soul, you did an amazing job at baking the cake!

We're fixin to make the frosting now. A soften cream cheese with confectionery sugar (maybe a drizzle of Bourbon would work) is traditional. Bourbon, in the South, makes everything better. A buttercream or regular frosting would be too sweet for this cake. Put a thin layer of cream cheese frosting between the layers of cake. If using Bourbon, you'll need to brush your dry layers with about 1/4 cup or what makes your britches ride up. Keep in mind, Bourbon is a strong flavor, not all like it. Do not frost the sides of the cake, this cake is suppose to be served naked and simply decorated.

I dusted confectionery sugar over the top and kept the presentation light. I candied a few walnuts for the top center of the cake. I'll let the cake speak for itself and no need to get it all gussied up with frosting.

I reckon I'll need to stop talking like this soon or the men in the white coats may come to offer me a vacation in a padded room.

Just because we're Yankees doesn't mean we can't take Southern recipes and make them our own. Try making these in cupcake tins (no papers but spray the cupcake tins with baking spray) and put whipped cream on the table so the guests can top their own cupcake. If your guests are adults, a Bourbon whipped cream would be great. Another way to serve, would be to use a round cookie cutter and cut circles out. (pictured) This will allow you to make individual cakes and top with whipped cream. Here's a mini cake with candied walnuts and whipped cream.

So many possibilities with this hummingbird cake - let me know how you prepared this cake.

Y’all come back now, hear?