Hummingbird Sheet Cake

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### Instructions:

1. **Preheat the oven**: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan to ensure the cake doesn’t stick.

2. **Mix the dry ingredients**: In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Stir until everything is evenly distributed.

3. **Combine the wet ingredients**: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, oil, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add the mashed bananas and crushed pineapple (with juice) to the wet mixture, and stir until everything is well combined.

4. **Mix the wet and dry ingredients**: Gradually add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing until everything is just incorporated. Be careful not to overmix.

5. **Add nuts (optional)**: If you’re using nuts, fold them into the batter at this stage for added texture and flavor.

6. **Bake the cake**: Pour the batter into your prepared baking pan and spread it out evenly. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once done, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely in the pan.

7. **Make the frosting**: While the cake is cooling, make the frosting by beating together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, and continue beating until you achieve a fluffy and creamy consistency. Stir in the vanilla extract.

8. **Frost the cake**: Once the cake has cooled completely, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. You can use a spatula to smooth it out, or if you’re feeling creative, swirl it for a beautiful effect.

9. **Garnish (optional)**: For added crunch and flavor, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top of the frosted cake. This step is optional, but it adds a lovely texture contrast to the soft cake and creamy frosting.

10. **Serve and enjoy**: Slice the cake into squares and serve. It’s perfect for any occasion or as a delicious dessert to enjoy with friends and family.

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### Why This Cake is So Special

The **Hummingbird Sheet Cake** is a Southern dessert that takes the best parts of the classic Hummingbird Cake—bananas, pineapple, and nuts—and makes it even easier to serve and enjoy. The moist texture of the cake is irresistible, and the cream cheese frosting adds the perfect touch of richness. It’s a dessert that feels indulgent without being too heavy.

The combination of sweet bananas, tangy pineapple, and warm spices creates a flavor profile that’s both familiar and exotic. Each bite transports you to a tropical paradise, making it the ideal treat for any celebration or even just a weekday pick-me-up.

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### Tips & Variations:
– **Make it a layered cake**: If you prefer a layered cake instead of a sheet cake, simply divide the batter between two 9-inch round cake pans and bake for about 25–30 minutes. Layer the cakes with frosting between the layers for a stunning presentation.
– **Add coconut**: For even more tropical flavor, stir in a cup of shredded coconut to the cake batter.
– **Gluten-free option**: If you need a gluten-free version, swap the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Just be sure to use one that’s designed for baking.
– **Decorate with fruit**: For an added touch of tropical flair, top the cake with fresh pineapple slices, banana chips, or maraschino cherries.

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### A Slice of Southern Comfort

Whether you’re baking for a holiday, a family gathering, or simply because you deserve something sweet, **Hummingbird Sheet Cake** is a treat that never fails to impress. With its rich flavors and easy-to-make steps, it’s a dessert that brings joy to any occasion—and it’s bound to become a family favorite.

So, next time you want to share a taste of Southern comfort, **Hummingbird Sheet Cake** is the way to go. It’s moist, flavorful, and topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting that will have everyone coming back for seconds (or thirds!).

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Would you like a printable version of this recipe or suggestions for pairing this cake with other Southern-inspired dishes?