“Banana, pineapple, cinnamon, walnuts with a cream cheese icing” has become a mantra for staff at Lantana as it is our automated response to the 2nd question most frequently asked by customers (after "what's the difference between a latte and a flat white").
While these cakes may look sweet and innocent, they are the most misunderstood, lusted after and fought over item on the Lantana counter.
Misunderstood, because people think they are cakes that we’ve bought from the Hummingbird Bakery. I'm tempted to rename them Lantana cakes.
Lusted after, because you know that amount of icing can not be good for you so you deny yourself the indulgence of eating one every day.
Fought over because our chefs can’t bake and ice them as fast as we can sell them and I have seen grown men argue with each other over who should have the last cake.
The reason I put them on the menu is because they remind me of my childhood growing up in Queensland in the 70s/80s when tinned pineapple was a dietary staple, appearing on pizzas, in burgers, salads and in Mrs Fogarty's incredible trifle.
I always thought hummingbird cake was an Australian invention but after looking at some spurious websites have found that Americans claim it as their own.
According to ‘food historians’, in 1978, Mrs. L.H. Wiggins of Greensboro, North Carolina submitted the recipe to Southern Living magazine, the "Southern belle bible of gracious hostessing", and the cake became renowned. "It is still our most requested recipe," says Donna, one of the writers for the magazine.
No one seems to be sure of the derivation of the name 'Hummingbird'. One theory is that people hum when they eat the cake. Another is that it refers to what these small south American birds like to eat as they are attracted to intensely sweet food. But I’d like to think that it is related to the ancient Aztecs who apparently wore Hummingbird talismans to draw sexual potency, energy and vigor. Imagine what happens when you eat one.
This is Mrs Wiggin's recipe. I haven’t had a chance to try it yet but see if you think it beats ours.
Mrs Wiggin's Hummingbird cake
3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups salad oil
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple, undrained
2 cups chopped pecans or walnuts, divided
2 cups chopped bananas
Combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl; add eggs and salad oil, stirring until dry ingredients are moistened. Do not beat. Stir in vanilla, pineapple, 1 cup chopped pecans, and bananas. Spoon batter into 3 well-greased and floured 9-inch cakepans. Bake at 350 degrees F. For 25 to 30 minutes; remove from pans, and cool immediately. Spread frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake. Sprinkle with 1 cup chopped pecans. Yield: one 9-inch layer cake.
Cream cheese icing
2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 (16 ounce) packages powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Combine cream cheese and butter; cream until smooth. Add powdered sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Stir in vanilla. Yield: enough for a 3 layer cake.
Mrs. L.H. Wiggins, Greesnboro, North Carolina
"Making the most of bananas," Southern Living, February 1978 (p. 206)
I adore your Hummingbird cakes! I was inspired to make my own having tried yours at Lantana. I was just given the Hummingbord Bakery recipe book for my birthday which has a version. Thank you so much for posting the recipe, I made one large cake and it wasn't a patch on yours!
ReplyDeleteSorry for my bad english. I would like to get updated with you new posts as I love to read your blog. Add me to your mailing list if you have any.
ReplyDeleteThanks , ӏ've just been searching for information about this topic for ages and yours is the greatest I have discovered so far. However, what in regards to the conclusion? Are you certain about the source?
ReplyDeletemy page - make money buying and selling on craigslist
Wow, amazing blog layout! How long have you been blogging
ReplyDeletefor? you make blogging look easy. The overall look
of your site is wonderful, let alone the content!
my webpage CanalDigital CardSharing
I've been surfing online more than 2 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It is pretty worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all web owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the web will be much more useful than ever before.
ReplyDeletemy web-site - server cccam
I am really impressed with your writing talents and also with the layout for your weblog.
ReplyDeleteIs this a paid subject or did you modify it your self? Anyway stay
up the nice high quality writing, it's uncommon to look a great weblog like this one today..
Also visit my homepage; Test Force Xtreme Muscle
buy electronic cigarette, e cig, e cig forum, electronic cigarettes reviews, e cigarette, smokeless cigarettes
ReplyDeleteThe Keshri Software Solutions provides Web Application development,Website Promotions, Search Engine Optimizations services . We have a very dedicated and hard working team of web application developers(asp.net/c#/sql server/MVC) , Search engine optimizers. Fast communication and quality delivery product is our commitment.
ReplyDeleteTo get more details please log on to-http://www.ksoftware.co.in .
Express your style with sterling silver bracelets in a fun and fashionable way. Nothing elevates your style better than high-quality, well-made pandora bracelets. When you are looking for a way to enhance your lovely style, think of Silver Goose Bracelets. Manufactured with pure sterling silver means that you have the opportunity to be as elegant as you are lovely. Combine your Silver Goose bracelets with any one of our charms to create a stunningly amazing outfit that will define who you are. Explore everything from classical to modern bracelets that both bring a timeless elegance you can enjoy forever.
ReplyDelete