Hummingbird Bread Recipe with Cream Cheese Glaze

This Hummingbird Bread recipe is reminiscent of the better known southern favorite, Hummingbird Cake. It's smaller, less sweet and topped with cream cheese glaze instead of a thick coating of frosting. The banana, pineapple, coconut and pecan flavors still play prominently.

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• Ingredients Needed
• How to Make Hummingbird Bread
• Expert Tips
• Storage Information
• Looking for more quick bread recipes?
• Recipe FAQs
• 📖 Recipe

All of the flavors you love in the southern classic, hummingbird cake, are still here. The ripe bananas, sweet pineapple, coconut and pecans provide the topical flavor the cake is known for and they're the basis for the bread too.

A layer cake is a large dessert that most folks save for a special occasion, or at least a gathering of a good many people. You're not going to make a big cake like that for just the two or three of you, right? This hummingbird banana bread is the perfect way to get your craving for those flavors satisfied in a smaller way.

This delicious hummingbird bread not quite as sweet as the southern cake and that fact, coupled with the thin glaze instead of thick cream cheese icing, even make it suitable (in our opinion) as a breakfast bread. After all, it's got two kinds of fruit plus the pecans.

We use the same easy recipe for our Hummingbird Muffins, so however you like to eat this breakfast treat, we've got you covered.

If the traditional hummingbird cake is what you're after you can't go wrong with the Southern Living Magazine recipe.

Ingredients Needed

• Butter - Using butter at room temperature ensures it creams smoothly with the sugars.
• Egg - Also use a room temperature egg for best incorporation.
• Ripe bananas - The bananas must be very ripe to mash smoothly and blend into the batter properly. If your bananas aren't quite ripe, check the tips section for how to quickly ripen them.
• Sugar and brown sugar - A combination of sugars adds depth of flavor and moisture.
• Self-rising flour - We love this shortcut ingredient, but if you don't have it, check the tips for a substitution.
• Coconut - Sweetened shredded coconut adds texture and flavor.
• Crushed pineapple - Don't drain the pineapple, as the juice helps keep the bread moist.
• Chopped pecans - Pecans are traditional, but you can substitute walnuts if desired.
• Vanilla extract - For the best flavor.
• Cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk - These make up the quick and easy cream cheese glaze. You only need 1 ounce of cream cheese.

How to Make Hummingbird Bread

1. Cream butter, sugars, bananas, egg and vanilla: In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter at low speed using an electric mixer. Add the sugars and cream for about 1 minute. Add the mashed bananas, egg and vanilla and cream for another minute until well blended.
2. Mix in remaining ingredients: Stir in the self-rising flour, crushed pineapple with juice, and shredded coconut until well combined. Fold in the chopped pecans.
3. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake: Line a 9-inch loaf pan with parchment paper and spray with baking spray for easy removal. Pour in the batter and spread evenly. Bake at 350°F for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely before glazing.
4. Glaze the cooled bread: Blend the cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk and vanilla until smooth. Heat in the microwave for 20-30 seconds until pourable. Let cool slightly, then drizzle over the cooled loaf. Let the glaze set for 1-2 hours before slicing.

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Expert Tips

• For a mess-free way to mash ripe bananas, place them in a sealed zip-top bag and mash with your hands. You can break them into a few pieces first if needed. We use that same technique for the bananas in our Banana Bread Bundt Cake and Banana Pancakes with Pecans.
• If your bananas aren't quite ripe when you're ready to bake, put them (unpeeled) on a baking sheet and bake at 300°F for 15-20 minutes until blackened. Let cool, then peel and mash.
• Let the glazed bread sit uncovered for 1-2 hours so the glaze forms a light crust. This prevents it from being too gooey when sliced.
• To prevent sticking, cut a piece of parchment paper the approximate length of the loaf pan with enough to hang over the edges a few inches (photo below). Lay it in the pan, pressing into the bottom. Just for extra stick-free insurance I still spray with a baking spray that has oil and flour like this one.

Storage Information

Hummingbird Bread can be stored at room temperature in plastic wrap or aluminum foil for up to 2 days if your house is not too hot and humid. After that, store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days for best quality.

The bread can also be well-wrapped in plastic wrap whole or in individual slices, placed in a freezer bag, and frozen for up to 3 months.

Looking for more quick bread recipes?

• Fresh Peach Bread Recipe
• Buttermilk Cornbread Muffins
• Blueberry Orange Bread
• Sweet Potato Cornbread
• Healthy Banana Carrot Muffins Recipe
• Easy Cinnamon Biscuits (with only 4 ingredients)
• Pimento Cheese Biscuits: Homemade

Recipe FAQs

📖 Recipe

If you're a big fan of our favorite cuisine be sure to check out Southern Food: Then and Now. It includes lots of interesting facts.

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