Hummingbird Cake Recipe

butter, for greasing pans
2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1 Cup pecan pieces
3 ripe bananas, chopped
1/2 cup chopped fresh pineapple
1 teasp ground cinnamon
1/2 teasp nutmeg
1/2 teasp ground ginger
1 1/4 teasp baking soda
1/2 teasp salt
3 large eggs, room temp
1 3/4 Cups granulated sugar
1 Cup vegetable oil

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter 2 8" round cake pans with 2" hi sides. Line with parchment rounds, butter again, or flour bottom lightly. Spread pecans on baking sheet and bake about 7 minutes til toasted. Let pecans cool slightly, put in a bowl with the chopped banana and pineapple. Toss with 1/2 cup flour.

Whisk the remaining 2 1/4 cups flour, the cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and baking soda and salt in bowl. Set aside. Beat sugar and eggs in a separate bowl with mixer on high for 5 minutes. Gradually beat in vegetable oil.

Sprinkle flour mixture over egg mixture, then gently fold to make a thick batter. Fold in the pecan-fruit mixture, then transfer batter to pans. Bake until the cakes are firm and a toothpick comes out clean 35 to 45 min. (check at 35 and every 3min). Cool in the pans on a rack, 25 minutes, then invert the cakes onto the rack to cool completely.

Frosting
2 Pkg cream cheese
12 Tablespoons butter, at room temp (1 1/2 cubes)
2 Cups confectioners sugar
1 T grated lemon zest
1 tsp vanilla extract

Make the frosting: Beat cream cheese in large bowl with mixer until fluffy, then gradually beat in the butter until combined. Sift confectioners sugar over the cream cheese and beat until smooth. Add the lemon zest and vanilla, beat until light and fluffy.

Assembly:
Carefully with a serrated knife, cut the layers in 1/2. Put one layer cut side up on a plate cover with frosting and repeat with next 3 layers. Frost the sides very lightly and smoothly, put in frig for 15 min. (this keeps crumbs from coming off)
Remove from frig and frost sides and top generously. I garnished top with chopped crystallized ginger and toasted pecans. (be sure and toast 1/4 C more when you do your toasting)
Put you cake in the frig but make sure you take it out 1 hr before serving. Enjoy!