Hummingbird Bread with Cream Cheese Frosting
This easy hummingbird bread recipe is full of the flavors of the classic southern hummingbird cake! Top this Hummingbird Bread with Cream Cheese Frosting and you’ve got a loaf cake that is to die for!
This simple quick bread recipe is filled with the sweet flavors of a hummingbird cake, and is topped with the best cream cheese frosting!
Happy New Year!
I’m sure I’m not the first person you’ve heard say this, but I cannot believe how quickly 2019 flew by. I feel like it was only a couple of months ago I was wishing you all the happiest of new years and commiserating how 2018 went by in the blink of an eye.
It’s a little crazy and feels slightly surreal.
I’m not much of one for resolutions, but I do always find the start of a new year refreshing and exciting.
This past year was a difficult year for me, for a variety of reasons. While there were also many bright moments I don’t want to forget, the negative moments unfortunately outweighed the good moments. For me, I’m ready to leave the past behind and hope for a brighter 2020.
In California, spring weather often starts before Christmas. While we’ve had some true California cold weather, once we’re in January, my mind and wardrobe is ready for the sunnier, spring-like weather.
With that, I’m all about the brighter, happier flavors. Of course, I love rich chocolate flavors (like this Chocolate Pound Cake), but I’m ready for the flavors Lemon Zucchini Bread, Lemon Bars and sweet loaf cake full of coconut, banana and pineapple.
What do you need to make the best Hummingbird Bread recipe evahhh??
- Bananas.
- Pineapple.
- Coconut.
- Cream Cheese Frosting.
Aka, the Hummingbird Bread of your dreams.
I mean, who wouldn’t be a fan?!
Banana bread recipes are certainly nothing new over here. In fact, you might even say that I’m a tad obsessed with banana breads…and you’d probably be right.
Banana bread = my entire heart.
But, today, this recipe is not just for classic banana bread.
Oh, no.
This recipe is for a sweet, nutty banana bread I like to call Hummingbird Bread.
Hummingbird Cake is a traditional southern dessert that’s filled with bananas, pineapple, coconut and nuts. This has all of the flavors of hummingbird cake but is transformed into a bread recipe that is part loaf bread, part loaf cake.
Hummingbird Bread Tips & Tricks:
- When it comes to any kind of banana bread or banana cake, I like my bananas half mashed/half pureed. This makes for an incredibly moist banana bread recipe (or in this case, an incredibly moist hummingbird bread recipe). However, if you prefer a smoother consistency, I’d suggest pureeing your bananas.
- Do not drain the juice from the pineapple. The juice adds extra flavor and keeps the bread from being too dry.
- I opted for chopped pecans in this hummingbird bread recipe (I believe pecans are used in a traditional hummingbird cake recipe), but if you are not a pecan fan, I am sure chopped almonds or walnuts would taste fine as well. I have not personally tried it, but I imagine it would work out great (I have a simply wonderful imagination 😉).
- Don’t hold back on the homemade cream cheese frosting. 😍 It might just be my favorite thing about this whole quick bread recipe.
I’ll pretty much eat anything if it comes with cream cheese frosting.

Hummingbird Bread with Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
Bread
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cups mashed bananas, about 3-4 medium bananas
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 8 oz crushed pineapple, with juice
- 1 cup shredded coconut, sweetened
- 1/3 cup chopped pecans
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two 8x4 pans.
- In a large bowl, cream butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add in eggs and vanilla; beat until mixed.
- To the wet ingredients, sift in flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.
- Stir until just combined. Add in pineapple, coconut, and pecans. Mix until combined.
- Pour in mashed bananas, and mix until combined.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean. Allow to cool.
Cream Cheese Frosting
- Beat cream cheese and butter together until combined. Add in vanilla extract; mix.
- Add in powdered sugar, and mix until well combined.
- Spread frosting over cooled breads, and sprinkle with chopped pecans.
- Enjoy!
- Store leftovers in the fridge.
The nutrition facts provided are calculated using a third-party tool and are estimates only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use, as well as portion sizes. For accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
Here are some other recipes you might love:
Caramel Glazed Banana Bundt Cake

Meet Michelle
I’m a self-taught baker who truly believes it’s impossible to be upset when eating dessert. It’s my life’s goal to bake everyone happy!
If I’m not baking, I’m probably reading a good book with a cup a coffee in hand.
Welcome! I’m glad you’re here!
I’ve made this several times and give it as gifts. This is one VERY special recipe. Who wants plain ol’ banana bread when they can have Hummingbird Bread!
I have made this bread MANY times and given it as gifts. People rave about it every time ! This recipe is so far superior to ordinary Banana Bread it’s not funny!
Delicious and looks amazing. Last.minute with no ripened bananas, substituted mangos and it came out great! Thanks for sharing this recipe.
I was looking for a recipe to use up most of a can of crushed pineapple, and lo here was this delightful recipe! I even had the ripe bananas. It was fate!
The bread was delicious, moist, and dense. I ended up subbing in 1/2 c coconut flour (I had it on hand and didn’t have any shredded coconut) and cut the sugar by 1/4 cup, and it still came out fine, texturally.
Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe!
Fabulous recipe
However. DEFINITELY needs more bake time
I kept my 2 loaves in for extra 8 minutes.
Baked to perfection.
Absolutely mouthwatering! The combination of hummingbird bread and cream cheese frosting is pure perfection. I will definitely share it with my friends.
Need to change time to 50-60 minutes just like most banana bread recipes.
Easy to make and oh so tasty, split with neighbors they were so happy!
This bread was spectacular, but it is definitely too much batter for a 9 inch pan! We quadrupled the recipe for four 9 inch pans, but it could’ve easily made 5 to 6. But thanks for the great recipe! This is going in the save file!
I have made this cake many times and it always comes out great. I have a friend who loves this cake and I make it a lot for him !