A recipe for you

Recently I donated a dessert a month for a year for an auction. It was mainly to be cheesecakes but the winning bidder wanted something different this time.
I decided to make a Hummingbird Cake. I have had Hummingbird Cupcakes and loved them so I decided to make the cake. What is it you ask? It is a wonderful layer cake made with banana, pineapple and pecans.
It has been said that the cake got it's name because it is so good that when you taste it,  it makes you hum. mmmm mmmm.
I am not a cake decorator at all but decided to give it a try and garnish it with dried pineapple, pecans and dried banana. Here is how it turned out

 Here is the recipe:

• FOR THE CAKE

  • Nonstick vegetable spray
  • All-purpose flour, for pans
  • 3 cups self-rising flour
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1  cup vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
  • 2 very ripe large bananas, mashed
  • 1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, with juice
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 4 large eggs, beaten

• FOR THE FROSTING

  • 2 pound  confectioners' sugar
  • 16 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
  • 3/4  Cup butter, softened
  • 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp almond Extract
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped pecansTopping: dried banana chips, dried pineapple, whole pecans,more chopped pecans

DIRECTIONS

1. STEP 1Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray and flour three 8-by-2-inch round cake pans, tapping out excess flour; set aside.
2. STEP 2Prepare the cake; in a large bowl, stir to combine self-rising flour, sugar, oil, pecans, bananas, pineapple, vanilla, cinnamon, and eggs.
3. STEP 3Divide batter evenly between prepared pans, smoothing with an offset spatula. Bake, rotating pans halfway through, until the tops spring back when gently pressed with your fingertips, 26 to 28 minutes.
4. STEP 4Transfer pans to a wire rack to cool 10 minutes. Invert cakes onto wire rack. Re-invert cakes and let them cool completely, top sides up.
5. STEP 5Prepare the frosting; in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine sugar, cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and almond on medium speed until frosting is smooth. If needed, add a bit of milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, to achieve the proper spreading consistency.
6. STEP 6Using a serrated knife, trim tops of cakes to make level. Place four strips of parchment paper around perimeter of a serving plate or lazy Susan. Place the first layer on the cake plate. Spread the top of the first layer with 1/4 of the frosting. Place the second layer on top and repeat process with another 1/4 of the frosting. Place the remaining layer on top of the second layer bottom side up. Spread entire cake with remaining frosting. Sprinkle the top with chopped pecans. Garnish with dried banana, dried pineapple and whole pecans if desired. Remove parchment paper strips; refrigerate until ready to serve. ENJOY!

Linking to: Tasty Tuesdays