Spring Is Here! Thank goodness because I thought I was going to go mad with all these spring dish ideas floating around in my head. I have them saved on my iPhone, various post-it notes around the house and if you look at my son’s coloring book you will probably find them scribbled on each page.
A berry crisp, a refreshing salad, maybe a little sweet tea jasmine rice- who knows what I will be throwing at you in the months to come. One thing for sure they will be full of flavor and EASY! No one wants to be stranded in the kitchen when it’s so beautiful outside.
Hummingbirds are beautiful but Hummingbird cupcakes, now they are beautiful and delicious. Hummingbird cupcakes are just a re-creation of a classic southern dessert- The Hummingbird Cake. This cakes is rich and heavy (yet heavenly) with layers of cinnamon, bananas, pineapple, pecans and a heavy dose of cream cheese icing. Instead of a massive cake going to waste at my house- WAIT- who am I kidding! I could eat the whole thing in minutes with my hands tied behind my back and my eyes closed! As I was saying, instead of “wasting” a large cake on a sweet-craving mom I decided to do the alternative and that is cupcakes. By making the cake into individual portions, they are less heavy and dense and since they have fruit in them (hence pineapples and bananas) they are also healthy:) GRIN!
I was going to go all Martha Stewart on you today and make my own pineapple flowers for the tops of the cupcakes (as seen here) but I thought Why? Why am I going to pretend to do something I am not good at? So instead, I just popped a cute little flower (washed well of course) into the frosting for a quick picture shot. Cute huh? Hope you enjoy and by all means whether its cupcakes or something entirely different welcome in Spring by making something fun, fresh and oh so Belleicious!
- For the cupcakes:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 12 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1¼ tsp. vanilla extract
- 1⅓ cups sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1½ cups mashed ripe banana
- ⅔ cup crushed pineapple, drained
- ⅔ cup chopped walnuts, optional
- ⅔ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- For the frosting:*
- 8 oz. cream cheese
- 6 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2½ cups confectioners’ sugar
- Preheat the oven to 350? F. Line cupcake pans with paper liners. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon; whisk together and set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the butter, vanilla, and sugar and beat until blended and smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in the mashed banana. With the mixer on low speed, mix in the dry ingredients just until incorporated. Gently fold in the pineapple, nuts (if using), and coconut with a spatula until evenly mixed.
- Divide the batter between the prepared liners, filling each about ¾ full. Bake for 20-22 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool in the pans 5-10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- To make the frosting, combine the cream cheese and butter in the bowl of an electric mixer. Beat on medium-high speed until well combined and smooth, about 2-3 minutes. Mix in the vanilla extract. Gradually beat in the confectioners’ sugar until totally incorporated, increase the speed and then beat until smooth. Frost cooled cupcakes as desired.
Not just cute, actually very pretty and delicious sounding. I can’t wait for more spring goodies.
These look like an absolutely perfect way to bring in spring Jessica. Beautiful .
Hope you had a great weekend!
Beautiful cupcakes! I love these.
I need those liners!! I agree! Bring on the spring dishes. These are gorgeous. Ive only had hummingbird cake once but om gosh is it fabulous
Really cute cakes. Love the flower garnish. I’m with you – why do something you’re not good at? And I’m ready for spring, too. Really fun post (and nice recipe!) – thanks.
Love these cupcakes. they are so cute and love the fresh flower- no need for dried one! LOL!
Yes! So glad you agree! Why do dry when you can do fresh:)
TOOO CUTE! LOVE THESE!
Spring is here, and wow I love the idea of your Hummingbird Cupcakes. One look and I see I have those same cupcake papers of the sunflowers! I love them and never thought I would see these in Safeway!
Almost contacted you for some chocolate ideas for appetiezers to a wine party. Since I am now in a blind wine club, I am always looking. I did find something from Sarabeth that I am going to do. I will keep checking back. Thanks, I love your recipes.
These cupcakes are adorable, Jessica! I absolutely love those liners…never seen any like that before. The fresh flower is a nice touch. 🙂
I love how pretty these are. Girl these look amazing. I will be keeping these and now I cant wait to take these to Garden Club I know they will be just perfect for that. I also know I will have to keep some for the family.
Oh they would be so perfect for the garden club Kelli! I hope you try them!
Why have I never heard of hummingbird cakes or cupcakes before? It sounds delish
These are the perfect baby or wedding shower treats, I loooove the fresh flowers!
They look so yummy, and pretty too! I’ve never heard of Hummingbird Cake, but I love the idea of the cupcakes!
I heard about Hummingbird cupcakes on Cupcake Wars a few weeks ago, and was wondering about them! I will have to make them and bring them Up North here!
LOL! I didn’t see that episode but now you have me curious! Yes- enlighten the North to our fab hummingbird cupcakes!
Spring is definitely here Gal!!!
these cupcakes look gorgeous… I am loving the wrapper too…
My son was asking me to bake cupcake, I will do this recipe…
B/W how are you n boys doing dear? I am sure you must be one busy mama these days… Enjoy my dear and take some rest too….
I have been dreaming of cupcake all night and now I see your cake right in the morning! I totally adore them and how good if you can send me one straight away! LOL!
The liners so pretty and colorful and the frosting on top is so neatly done! Pass me some cupcakes here too please 😛
Stunningly Gorgeous!!!
Those hummingbird cupcakes are stunning. Happy Spring to you! I love this time of year.
Velva
Wow! I love this recipe… the flavors are just incredible and they look drop dead gorgeous! You’ve done an awesome job with them! Thanks for sharing this lovely recipe!
how gorgeous they look! I love hummingbird cupcakes and haven’t made them in years! I wish I could taste them now.
I love hummingbird cake, but cupcakes…too sweet!!
SOOOOO pretty, Jessica! Hope you are enjoying springtime. I’m in Japan now enjoying full bloom cherry blooms. Happy Spring to you and your family!
Oh Japan! I hope you are having the best time ever. I am jealous! I bet it is just beautiful!
OMG!!! Soooooooo pretty!!
I pinned this!
Thanks for the pin Veronica!
Your cupcakes are so cute and pretty, what a beautiful way to welcome Spring! Love your cupcake cases!
These cupcake paper liners are so pretty and light and airy looking…just like a hummingbird! Very sweet.
I am such a sucker for cupcakes – think I may have to make these this afternoon.
🙂 Mandy
These are just gorgeous and they sound so delicious. Our daughter-in-law just asked me a few weeks ago if I had ever made a Hummingbird cake. I told her that I didn’t think I had ever heard of it before.Now though I can see me making these real soon!!
Well this is the perfect recipe to try your first hummingbird cupcake or even cake!
These are just gorgeous Jessica! Truly. I’ve pinned them. 🙂 And I’m looking forward to your easy and delicious spring recipes. You’re right – easy is perfect in the nice weather. Happy spring!
hi jessica, do you stay in texas? i’m going to get an air ticket there, enjoy the spring and eat your cupcakes! ha! They are so pretty, i love they way how these cupcakes sit on the liners and the frosting looks so velvety! very very nice!!
Oh you are welcome at my house anytime! Come on over!
Absolutely precious and I’m loving the fresh blossom! I’ve been looking at those pineapple flowers too but, haven’t made them either.
Girl, where did you get those liners?
Shawn I actually got them at Wal-mart. I was there getting some art stuff for my son and they were on the aisle before it in a random place like someone was insane and dropped them off there! Lucky me!They are wilton brand though if that helps!
Sounds amazing-Love the idea of the crushed pineapple!
What type of flowers are those?
I will have to ask my hubby MaryAnn! He is the gardener in our family. I just grabbed them off a bush and went with it:) LOL! I will let you know when he gets home!
Those just look wonderful – fabulous way to celebrate the coming of Spring! You can never have too many cupcakes 😀
Ever since spring hit, I’ve had hummingbird cake on the brain. I love the idea of turning it into cupcakes AND of topping it with flowers. So cute!
Such beautiful cupcakes! Great presentation!
Stunning photos! Don’t hate me but…I’ve never actually had a hummingbird cake or cupcake! Ahh! But now you have me inspired to go ahead and make my own!! They look amazing!
Those are beautiful Jessica! Truly perfect for spring!
So pretty. Perfect for spring and so great that they are healthy too! 😉
What can I say!! these are just stunning!! I love the flavors also – beautiful, beautiful post!!
Mary x
Those are so pretty! I love the cupcake liners.
These cupcakes are definitely humming my way. And that frosting.. YUMMY.. I would definitely enjoy this dessert/snack 🙂
These are gorgeous! I always shy out of making cupcakes. I think I’ll screw something up. But I must at least try.
Oh Dear, those cupcakes are so beautiful! What a treat! Now I want something sweet!
Yum! Those cupcake liners are simply adorable 🙂
How beautiful are these cupcakes?? I want some but I’m going to pin these first. 🙂
These cupcakes are gorgeous! Love the combination of banana, pineapple, and coconut in them. I like the cupcake liners too! 🙂
What a stunning batch of spring cupcakes! These look so wonderful. Great job!
OMG! these are beautiful
I was sure I left a comment here, Jessica…that’s what you get when you do this at work, I get distracted by work!
These are extremely beautiful and I adore the oven dried pineapple flower…I hope I can remember to make this recipe. Simply gorgeous!
I hope your son is doing better.
Oh my. Those are fantastic. I am kind of glad you didn’t do the pineapple flowers. It’s nice to know you’re a regular gal Jessica. I can’t ever understand how people do those fancy things. I wish I could eat one of these right now and have a chat with you over coffee.
This hummingbird cake sounds fantastic. It sounds like a virgin banana colada. YUM! I’m saving this recipe to make at a later date.
By the way I’m not sure what city you are from but I feel like I’ve met you before.
Oh your right they do kind of sound and taste like a pins colada! I was born and raised in a small town called lake providence Louisiana but I now live in
Houston Texas. Not sure if we have meet but how great it would be to meet over coffee one day and talk food:)
Hummingbird cake? they surely look impressive. your description with the layers tempted me, sounds like dream!
wish you a lovely weekend!
Wow! SO beautifully done! These could be wedding cupcakes!
It’s been years since I’ve made this cake! I love the cupcake idea…especially with the cream cheese frosting piled on 🙂
Beautiful cupcakes, and wonderful recipe, thanks for sharing!
These are so so pretty! Love the liners. Such perfect frosting. Love it! xx
Well aren’t those the perfect welcome to spring! They are just adorable! I’ve never heard of hummingbird cake before, but sounds like I’d love it.
I’ve seen lots of recipes of ‘Hummingbird’ cupcakes but haven’t tried them yet. I’m thinking it’s time…what do you think? -.- Your recipe sounds yummy!! I think I’ll go with it!! nom nom nom
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