Introduction
Have you ever tried making Hummingbird Bread with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting? It’s one of those recipes that always brings joy to my kitchen. The warm aroma of cinnamon mixed with the sweetness of cream cheese creates a delightful treat that never fails to impress. Today, I’ll guide you through the process of making this mouthwatering dessert, sharing some personal tips and tricks along the way.
Why You’ll Love This
I make this when I want to indulge in a rich and flavorful dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. My family goes crazy for this because it strikes the right balance between sweetness and spice, making it a crowd-pleaser every time. Plus, the addition of bananas and pineapple adds a unique twist that sets this recipe apart from traditional bread and frosting combinations.
Sometimes, I swap out walnuts for pecans or even add a dash of nutmeg for extra warmth. Feel free to experiment with different ingredients to make this recipe your own!
(By the way, have you ever accidentally added too much cinnamon to a recipe? I’ve been there—it can be a tricky spice to measure!)
Ingredients
For the Hummingbird Bread:
– Ripe bananas
– Canned crushed pineapple
– Chopped pecans or walnuts
– All-purpose flour
– Baking soda
– Ground cinnamon
– Eggs
– Granulated sugar
– Vegetable oil
– Vanilla extract
– Salt
For the Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting:
– Cream cheese
– Unsalted butter
– Powdered sugar
– Vanilla extract
– Ground cinnamon
(I sometimes use pecans instead of walnuts for a richer flavor profile. It’s all about personal preference!)
Directions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a loaf pan.
2. In a large bowl, mash the bananas and mix in the crushed pineapple (with juice).
3. Add the eggs, sugar, oil, and vanilla extract to the banana mixture and stir until well combined.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
6. Fold in the chopped pecans or walnuts.
(This is where I usually sneak a taste of the batter—it’s too delicious to resist!)
7. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. While the bread is cooling, prepare the cream cheese frosting by beating together the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon until smooth.
(Don’t worry if it looks a bit weird at this stage—it always comes together beautifully in the end!)
Notes
Through trial and error, I’ve found that letting the bread cool completely before frosting yields the best results. It allows the flavors to meld together for a more harmonious taste. Additionally, storing the bread in an airtight container keeps it moist and fresh for longer.
Variations
One experiment I tried was adding shredded coconut to the bread batter for a tropical twist. Unfortunately, it didn’t turn out as I expected—the texture was off. However, don’t let that discourage you from trying new variations!
Equipment
If you don’t have a loaf pan, you can use a muffin tin to make individual Hummingbird Bread muffins instead. It’s a versatile recipe that adapts well to different baking vessels.
Storage Information
Though honestly, in my house, a loaf of Hummingbird Bread never lasts more than a day! The irresistible combination of flavors tends to disappear quickly, especially when shared with loved ones.
Serving Suggestions
I love serving thick slices of Hummingbird Bread with a dollop of extra cream cheese frosting on top. It adds an extra layer of decadence to an already indulgent treat. In my family, we enjoy it with a cup of hot coffee in the morning or as a delightful dessert after dinner.
Pro Tips
I once tried rushing the baking time to get the bread out faster, but it ended up being undercooked in the middle. Patience is key when baking this recipe—the aroma that fills your kitchen is worth the wait! Remember, baking is as much about the process as it is about the end result.
FAQ
“Can I use a hand mixer instead of a stand mixer for the frosting?” Absolutely! A hand mixer works just as well, though you may need to mix a bit longer to achieve the desired consistency. Don’t stress about not having all the fancy equipment—a little extra effort goes a long way in the kitchen!
Hummingbird Bread with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
Indulge in a rich and flavorful dessert with a perfect balance of sweetness and spice. This Hummingbird Bread with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting is a delightful treat enhanced by the addition of bananas, pineapple, and chopped pecans or walnuts.
Ingredients
- 3 ripe bananas
- 1 cup canned crushed pineapple (with juice)
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp salt
- For the Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Directions
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Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a loaf pan.
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In a large bowl, mash the bananas and mix in the crushed pineapple.
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Add eggs, sugar, oil, and vanilla extract to the banana mixture and stir well.
-
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
-
Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mix until just combined.
-
Fold in the chopped pecans or walnuts.
-
Pour the batter into the loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes.
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While the bread is cooling, prepare the cream cheese frosting by beating together cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon until smooth.