• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to header navigation
  • Skip to footer navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Display Search Bar
  • About
  • Contact
  • Work With Me
Follow stetted on Twitter Follow stetted on Facebook Follow stetted on Instagram Follow stetted on Pinterest

stetted

recipes, decor, and more for a better life

  • Recipes
  • House & Home
  • Blogging 101
  • Travel
  • Shop

Hummingbird Cupcakes

June 5, 2017 / Cakes, Desserts

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.

Hummingbird cupcakes are a classic Southern dessert. Filled with fruit and nuts, these party-ready cupcakes will make everyone hum with excitement!

Hummingbird cupcakes are a classic Southern dessert. Filled with fruit and nuts, these party-ready cupcakes will make everyone hum with excitement!

One of the things I’ve realized I love to do as an adult is throw parties. It could be the food blogger in me, but I have a suspicion it has to do with living in Texas the past 12 years.

While not everyone includes Texas in the “South,” Texans are definitely just as proud of their hospitality as any other Southerner. Plenty of food and drink must be available at all times, even if that means you have to run to the store five minutes before the party starts. You also must make sure everyone else eats before you do, even if the food does run out.

Also key at a good party is plenty of dessert, like Texas Sheet Cake or Salted Caramel Pecan Blondies. Though, I know from my experience of Lutheran potlucks that that isn’t limited to the South!

Hummingbird cupcakes are filled with fruit and nuts for a scrumptious dessert!

One dessert that is popular down here is Hummingbird Cake. This fruit-filled cake originated in Jamaica, but quickly became popular in the South when it was featured in Southern Living magazine.

The cake is almost more like an amped-up banana bread, but I think that’s what makes it so amazing, because I LOVE banana bread. It’s usually a layer cake, but I opted to make Hummingbird Cupcakes for easy serving.

Hummingbird Cupcakes are filled with bananas, crushed pineapple, spices, and pecans — or walnuts if you’re not in the South — and then topped with a cream cheese frosting. Most people say it’s called “hummingbird” because everyone hums in happiness like the tiny bird when they eat it!

I use cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg as the spices in this cake, but feel free to use your favorite baking spices. Some recipes call for ginger instead of cardamom, so it just depends on what you prefer. If you can use fresh grated nutmeg, please do! It’s so much better than the pre-ground jar from the store, and whole nutmegs are actually not too expensive.

Hummingbird cupcakes are a Southern dessert staple, and they're easy to make!

I’ve also used applesauce in this cake to replace some of the oil and make it a tiny bit healthier. Since there is already a lot of fruit in the cake, the applesauce blends in perfectly. If you like, you can add shredded coconut to the cake or the frosting, but I like it without.

This recipe makes 1 dozen cupcakes, the perfect amount for using up wayward bananas. You can also easily double the recipe for parties, or if you want to make it into a layer cake instead.

Try these Hummingbird Cupcakes for your next family gathering!

If you’re looking for more delicious cupcake recipes, be sure to check out these Cherry Cheesecake Cupcakes and these Lemon Lime Cupcakes on My Baking Addiction.

Hummingbird cupcakes are a classic Southern dessert. Filled with fruit and nuts, these party-ready cupcakes will make everyone hum with excitement!

Hummingbird Cupcakes

Yield: 12
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Total Time: 33 minutes

Hummingbird cupcakes are a classic Southern dessert. Filled with fruit and nuts, these party-ready cupcakes will make everyone hum with excitement!

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • Pinch grated nutmeg
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup applesauce
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil
  • 3/4 cup mashed banana, (about 2 large bananas)
  • 4 ounces crushed pineapple, undrained
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup pecans, chopped (optional)

For the frosting

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 6 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup powdered sugar, plus more to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake papers.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, cardamom, and nutmeg. Set aside.
  3. In another bowl, whisk together applesauce, oil, banana, pineapple, and vanilla. Pour into dry ingredients and stir until well combined. Stir in pecans, if using.
  4. Scoop batter into prepared pan, filling cups about 3/4 full.
  5. Bake for 18-20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool in pan briefly, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
  6. To make the frosting, using a hand mixer, beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add vanilla and powdered sugar and beat until light and fluffy, adding more sugar as desired. Pipe onto cooled cupcakes and top with a pecan half, if desired.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • USA Pan Bakeware Cupcake and Muffin Pan, 12 Well
    USA Pan Bakeware Cupcake and Muffin Pan, 12 Well
  • Ouddy 3 Pack Stainless Steel Whisks 
    Ouddy 3 Pack Stainless Steel Whisks 
  • OXO Good Grips 3-piece Mixing Bowl Set
    OXO Good Grips 3-piece Mixing Bowl Set
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1 cupcake
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 330Saturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 49mgSodium: 210mgCarbohydrates: 41gFiber: 1gSugar: 26gProtein: 3g

Did you make this recipe?

Share on Instagram and tag @stetted!

© Megan | Stetted
Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad
Chunky Monkey Smoothies

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Join the Conversation
  1. Maggie Perkins says

    June 9, 2017 at 1:44 pm

    Pretty little cupcakes ya got there, missy.

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Welcome!

I focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients in my family-friendly meals. Come live a balanced life with me!

Read More »

Subscribe via Email

to stay in the loop on new posts!

Reader Faves

Spicy glazed brussels sprouts are a quick and easy side dish. It gets its flavor from the fiery Korean condiment, gochujang.

Spicy Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Learn how to peel tomatoes for cooking and canning. It's easy!

How to Peel Tomatoes

vertical bison one pot dinner on a plate with pan of food behind

Bison One-Pot Dinner

Raspberries and Cream Pie

Raspberries & Cream Pie

Browse Around

  • Muffins
  • Side Dishes
  • Cookies
  • Cakes
  • Videos
  • Web Stories

    Hungry for more Texas recipes?

    Footer

    Seasonal

    Butternut Squash Tacos

    Butternut Squash Tacos with Black Beans

    Broccoli Cheese Toastie

    Broccoli Cheese Toasties

    Spiced pear cake is a lovely cake for any party, or just because.

    Spiced Pear Cake

    Popular

    This comforting Instant Pot Irish lamb stew is full of tender lamb and vegetables. It's a wonderful way to end to the day.

    Instant Pot Irish Lamb Stew

    Baked bison meatballs are quick and easy to make any night of the week. Use them for pasta, sandwiches, and more.

    Baked Bison Meatballs

    Copycat Starbucks breakfast sandwiches are full of egg, cheese, and bacon for a fulfilling meal.

    Copycat Starbucks Breakfast Sandwiches

    apple recipes

    Apple Coffee Cake

    Whole wheat apple cinnamon muffins are bursting with flavor. The whole family will love them.

    Whole Wheat Apple Cinnamon Muffins

    Swedish Apple Pie

    Swedish Apple Pie

    Follow stetted on Twitter Follow stetted on Facebook Follow stetted on Instagram Follow stetted on Pinterest
    • About
    • Contact
    • Work With Me
    • Privacy Policy
    Copyright © 2021 Megan Myers LLCTheme by Once Coupled & Melissa Rose Design