Gluten-Free Hummingbird Loaf Cake (Vegan) (2024)

Published: May 1, 2017 · Modified: Apr 13, 2019 by Rebecca Pytell · This post may contain affiliate links.

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The sweet and nutty classic Southern dessert now with a gluten-free and vegan recipe! Gluten-Free Hummingbird Loaf Cake topped with a delicious dairy-free cream cheese frosting and packed with pecans, banana, and pineapple!

Have you ever had some Hummingbird? Haha, don't be silly, you know what I mean 😉 I had never had this classic Springtime Southern American cake until last month. I felt like carrot cake, morning glory cakes, and hummingbird cake all fall in that same sweet-filled breakfasty cake category. This hefty loaf cake is packed with banana, pineapple, pecans, sweet and spice, and of course a killer cream cheese frosting (essential, again, to that trio!)

I have some more food history fun facts for you. The Hummingbird Cake was first created in Jamaica (they also call is Doctor Bird Cake) in honor of their national bird, the Hummingbird! Then in the last 1970s the recipe crept its way up to the Southern States of the US and it took off! It grew popular through various press and media publications and the rest is some sweet delicious history! Obviously, it took even longer to make its way up to MY taste buds, but alas, it was a glorious first experience!

I do love the sweet nutty taste of the raw pecans with the tang of the pineapple and creamy sweetness of the banana. Such a great combo, but really over the top with that dairy-free vegan cream cheese frosting I made! This could totally pass of an indulgent weekend breakfast cake or a dessert with a nice piping hot mug of coffee! Right after I baked this hummingbird loaf cake, I texted my mom that I'd need her to be my taste-tester. To my surprise, she had no idea what a hummingbird cake was either. I got to bake and teach that weekend...perfect way to feel accomplished...and be rewarded with some gluten-free hummingbird loaf cake!

If you want something similar without nuts, try this easy pineapple dump cake!

Gluten-Free Hummingbird Loaf Cake (Vegan)

Gluten-Free Hummingbird Loaf Cake (Vegan)

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Author: Rebecca Pytell
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Yield: 1 8x4 Loaf 1x
Category: Dessert, Breakfast, Bread
Cuisine: Jamaican, Southern

Ingredients

Scale

Cake Batter:
2 Cups Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten-Free Flour
1 TB Psyllium Husk Powder
1 Tsp Baking Powder
2 Ripe Bananas (mashed, about ½ cup)
½ Cup Crushed Pineapple in Juice
½ Cup Crushed Raw Pecans (plus more for topping)
½ Cup "Brown Sugar" (mix ½ Cup Erythritol + 2 Tsp Molasses)
¼ Cup Erythritol
½ Tsp Cinnamon
½ Tsp Pure Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract
½ Cup Unsweetened Non-Dairy Milk
Cream Cheese Frosting:
4 oz Vegan Cream Cheese (I like Daiya or Kite Hill)
½ Cup Powdered Erythritol
¼ Tsp Pure Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F.
In a large bowl, mix together all the cake batter ingredients until combined.
Pour the batter into a greased 8x4 loaf pan and smooth out the top.
Bake in the oven for 30 minutes, remove, and let the loaf cool on a wire rack.
In a small bowl, mix together the cream cheese frosting ingredients until smooth.
Lightly pour the frosting over the top of the loaf cake and sprinkle on more crushed pecans if desired.

So cozy! Definitely a fantastic weekend baking project to try out if you've never had anything Hummingbird! I love when a random assortment of flavors work so perfectly with each other! And don't worry, no Hummingbirds were harmed in the baking of this loaf cake 😉

So tell me:

+ Have you ever had Hummingbird Cake? It's kind of like a banana bread 2.0!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

Clare Knighton
May 14, 2017 at 3:56 pm
This looks so yummy!
mmmmmm cake!
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 14, 2017 at 4:54 pm
  Haha, yes!
  Reply
Menaka Bharathi
May 09, 2017 at 2:57 pm
That cake definitely looks inviting and delicious..Never had a humming bird cake but this looks divine
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 09, 2017 at 2:59 pm
  You must give it a try then!
  Reply
Miz Helen
May 09, 2017 at 12:17 pm
Your Hummingbird Loaf Cake looks amazing!
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 09, 2017 at 2:58 pm
  Thanks!
  Reply
Leslie Soto
May 09, 2017 at 11:43 am
Hummingbird cake is one of my favorite cakes ever. I love that you made it simple though by making it a loaf cake. This is going on my Pinterest to make soon! Thank you for sharing!
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 09, 2017 at 2:57 pm
  Yes! I'm not all into big layers cakes, but a nice quick loaf cake...my jam!
  Reply
Kathleen - Bloggers Lifestyle
May 07, 2017 at 8:38 am
The cake looks so moist and inviting me to have a piece. Very yum.
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 07, 2017 at 1:28 pm
  It is delish! Thanks!
  Reply
Akaleistar
May 06, 2017 at 6:22 pm
That looks so yummy, and I love that it's gluten free!
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 06, 2017 at 6:29 pm
  Thank you!
  Reply
Emma Shearer
May 06, 2017 at 12:44 pm
Looks really tasty. I have pinned on pinterest 🙂
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 06, 2017 at 2:39 pm
  Thank you Emma!
  Reply
Carol
May 06, 2017 at 8:54 am
Even with all my allergies, if I leave out the nuts I can eat this. Sounds delicious!
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 06, 2017 at 10:01 am
  Thanks!
  Reply
Danielle @ A Sprinkle of Joy
May 06, 2017 at 8:41 am
That looks sooo yummy!!
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 06, 2017 at 10:01 am
  Thanks so much!
  Reply
Montana Modderman
May 06, 2017 at 8:39 am
This looks amazing! Can't wait to try it.
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 06, 2017 at 10:01 am
  Thank you!
  Reply
Nicole Taggart
May 05, 2017 at 8:47 pm
hummingbird loaf is so great. Love the texture. beautiful loaf
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 06, 2017 at 6:29 am
  See Also
  Luscious Southern Meyer Lemon Bars | gritsandpinecones.com Nutella Fried Pies: A Quick and Easy Dessert Idea Chocolate Covered Raisin Oatmeal Cookies - melissassouthernstylekitchen.com Gnocchis au potimarron - La cuisine de Bernard
  Yea! Thank you!
  Reply
Nat - Awaybies
May 05, 2017 at 1:39 pm
Omg that sounds and looks amazing! I love banana bread...I really want to bake a hummingbird cake now, right away.
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 05, 2017 at 2:41 pm
  Banana bread as nothing on Hummingbird!
  Reply
Alyssa Mosher
May 05, 2017 at 12:00 pm
That vegan cream cheese frosting looks divine!
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 05, 2017 at 2:39 pm
  So addicting! It "makes the cake" 😉
  Reply
Julie @ Running in a Skirt
May 05, 2017 at 9:13 am
Hummingbird cake has always been one of my favorites!!! This looks so good.
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 05, 2017 at 11:34 am
  Thank you!
  Reply
Ducks n a Row @SineaPies
May 04, 2017 at 1:54 pm
Rebecca, this sounds amazingly good. I really will make it!
Sinea♥
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 04, 2017 at 2:41 pm
  Fantastic! Let me know, I would love to see 🙂
  Reply
Linda @ Veganosity
May 04, 2017 at 9:33 am
I love Hummingbird Cake! So great that you made a gluten-free version.
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 04, 2017 at 11:35 am
  GF and vegan just as it should be!
  Reply
Andrea
May 04, 2017 at 12:02 am
I had never heard of hummingbird cake! It certainly does look delicious though and I do love recipes with pecans!
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 04, 2017 at 6:44 am
  It is fantastic and the pecans go so well with the tangy fruit!
  Reply
Farrah
May 03, 2017 at 11:21 pm
Yeahhhhh hummingbird cake! <3 This looks so good! I've made hummingbird muffins before but it's been ages! I love that frosting too! :]!!
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 04, 2017 at 6:42 am
  You must make some!
  Reply
Julianne
May 03, 2017 at 5:07 pm
I've never head of hummingbird loaf, but it sounds interesting. I am always looking for gluten free and dairy free recipes for my son and I, so I am excited to find your blog.
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 03, 2017 at 5:54 pm
  Fantastic! Let me know if you give it a try!
  Reply
Chloe
May 03, 2017 at 4:36 pm
Hi, I love this loaf and this is a great alternative to enjoy with a nice cup of tea
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 03, 2017 at 5:53 pm
  Yea, thanks!
  Reply
Yeukai
May 03, 2017 at 4:52 am
Ummm this loaf sounds amazing! I love banana bread and the addition of pineapple would be delicious. I also love that it's vegan. Thank you
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 03, 2017 at 7:07 am
  Thank you so much!
  Reply
Anjali @ Vegetarian Gastronomy
May 02, 2017 at 11:40 pm
yum!! I love banana bread and this another great variety!
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 03, 2017 at 7:07 am
  This is not banana bread, not even a variety of it.
  Reply
Megan @ MegUnprocessed
May 02, 2017 at 11:26 pm
The flavors in this recipe sound amazing!!
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 03, 2017 at 7:06 am
  The magic of hummingbird!
  Reply
Megan
May 02, 2017 at 10:55 pm
Loaf cakes are the best! I think I'd love the spices in this.
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 02, 2017 at 11:09 pm
  So easy and delicious!
  Reply
Amanda
May 02, 2017 at 7:40 pm
I've never heard of hummingbird cake, but now I need to make it! This sounds delicious!
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 02, 2017 at 11:09 pm
  It is fantastic!
  Reply
Manju | Cooking Curries
May 02, 2017 at 6:07 pm
That looks so very delicious and lovely pictures too!
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 02, 2017 at 6:33 pm
  Thank you!
  Reply
Michelle | A Latte Food
May 02, 2017 at 5:23 pm
I love hummingbird everything! This is so pretty!
See Also
CHERRY CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 02, 2017 at 5:34 pm
  Thank you so much!
  Reply
Aish Das-Padihari
May 02, 2017 at 4:09 pm
I always thought why this is called a hummingbird cake. Looks super tempting and its gluten free too. Yay!!
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 02, 2017 at 5:33 pm
  I was surprised by the origins 😛
  Reply
Luci
May 02, 2017 at 3:44 pm
This is looks so delicious. I am going to try in making this one day, maybe not gluten free.
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 02, 2017 at 5:33 pm
  Lol, then you wouldn't be making this recipe then, would you?
  Reply
Uma Srinivas
May 02, 2017 at 12:29 pm
This kind of loaf cake is always winner 🙂 Looks delicious.
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 02, 2017 at 3:02 pm
  I agree there!
  Reply
Rachel (LittleChefBigAppetite)
May 02, 2017 at 10:55 am
This cake looks incredible!
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 02, 2017 at 3:01 pm
  Thank you, Rachel!
  Reply
Lizet
May 02, 2017 at 9:24 am
Love your pictures! makes me want to take a bite. Luckily I have all the ingredients in my pantry!
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 02, 2017 at 3:01 pm
  Fantastic! I hope you make it then!
  Reply
Georgianna Dolan-Reilly
May 02, 2017 at 9:16 am
I've never heard of hummingbird cake before! It sounds so delicate and delicious.
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 02, 2017 at 3:01 pm
  Delicate and delicious it is!
  Reply
Justine
May 02, 2017 at 9:07 am
this looks great, thanks!
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 02, 2017 at 3:00 pm
  I hope you enjoy it!
  Reply
neil@neilshealthymeals.com
May 02, 2017 at 8:49 am
I'd really like a piece of this hummingbird loaf cake please Rebecca.
Your close up photographs are so tempting and show just how moist and tasty a slice looks! Yum!
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 02, 2017 at 3:00 pm
  Haha, thank you, Neil! It is one delicious loaf!
  Reply
Belinda
May 02, 2017 at 7:38 am
Looks delicious!!
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 02, 2017 at 8:45 am
  Thank you!
  Reply
Excellence
May 02, 2017 at 5:20 am
I never knew the origins behind the hummingbird cake! Your version looks incredible!
Thanks.
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 02, 2017 at 6:18 am
  Enjoy it!
  Reply
Alisa Fleming
May 02, 2017 at 12:03 am
This looks so delicious. I've been dying to make this kind of cake.
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 02, 2017 at 6:18 am
  It is delicious!
  Reply
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious
May 01, 2017 at 7:58 pm
I love that you took such a beautiful and classic dessert and made it GF! Thank you!!
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 02, 2017 at 6:18 am
  Thank you!
  Reply
Liv
May 01, 2017 at 6:41 pm
oh this is lovely! this loaf is wonderful for breakfast or a brunch!
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 02, 2017 at 6:17 am
  Dessert, mostly!
  Reply
Gluten Free With Emily
May 01, 2017 at 6:36 pm
Never heard of hummingbird cake till today. Looks good!
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 02, 2017 at 6:17 am
  That's surprising!
  Reply
Baker by Nature
May 01, 2017 at 5:08 pm
This would be perfect for breakfast!!! Especially with a cup of coffee. YUM!
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 01, 2017 at 5:52 pm
  A very sweet start to the day!
  Reply
Erica D.
May 01, 2017 at 4:01 pm
I never knew the origins behind the hummingbird cake! Your version looks incredible!
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 01, 2017 at 5:51 pm
  Thank you!
  Reply
Gentle Joy Photography
May 01, 2017 at 2:33 pm
I've never had this kind of cake, but it does sound good. 🙂
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 01, 2017 at 2:46 pm
  It is a random assortment, but so delicious!
  Reply
Chef Mireille
May 01, 2017 at 2:14 pm
what a beautiful cake - perfect for mothers day
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 01, 2017 at 2:45 pm
  That would be a great idea!
  Reply
Hannah
May 01, 2017 at 12:40 pm
Hummingbird cake is one of my favorites! I think of it as fancy Easter cake, because we usually had it in layer cake form then 🙂
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 01, 2017 at 2:10 pm
  Yea! It's so spring! (Easier to make as a loaf...and then it can pass for a breakfast cake) 😉
  Reply
Prasanna Hede
May 01, 2017 at 12:35 pm
I need to try more of vegan recipes. This looks so delicious.
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 01, 2017 at 2:09 pm
  You will love this cake!
  Reply
Nicole Dawson
May 01, 2017 at 12:29 pm
This sounds amazing!
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 01, 2017 at 2:09 pm
  Thanks!
  Reply
Casey the College Celiac
May 01, 2017 at 12:25 pm
I've never had hummingbird cake ut I love cake and I love hummingbirds, so it sounds like a winner to me! 😉
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 01, 2017 at 2:08 pm
  A cake for Celiac Awareness Month 😉
  Reply
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish
May 01, 2017 at 11:26 am
This cake is so pretty and perfect for spring! I bet it's delicious and I love that it's sugar-free too.
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 01, 2017 at 2:08 pm
  Yes! Naturally fruity and sweet!
  Reply
Tasting Page
May 01, 2017 at 11:07 am
I've never heard of hummingbird loaf, but I like the looks of it, so I'm ready for a little bird!
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 01, 2017 at 2:07 pm
  Hahaha 😛
  Reply
Chrystal @ Gluten-Free Palate
May 01, 2017 at 10:43 am
I just made a hummingbird cake too. I love that yours is vegan. My vegan friends will love it.
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 01, 2017 at 2:07 pm
  Yea, well vegan is the only way to do it!
  Reply
Ashley @ Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen
May 01, 2017 at 10:32 am
Such a gorgeous combination of flavors here, Rebecca!
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 01, 2017 at 2:06 pm
  Thank you!
  Reply
Sus // roughmeasures.com
May 01, 2017 at 9:11 am
I have never heard of this Hummingbird cake before but it sounds delicious!
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 01, 2017 at 10:17 am
  It is a new favorite!
  Reply
Josy A
May 01, 2017 at 8:06 am
This looks gorgeous!!
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 01, 2017 at 10:17 am
  Thanks!
  Reply
jen
May 01, 2017 at 7:27 am
I've never had humming bird cake, but this might be the day! looks delish!
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 01, 2017 at 10:16 am
  I hope so! It is delicious!
  Reply
Mari
May 01, 2017 at 6:41 am
I've never had Humming bird cake before and now I think I will 🙂 it looks so delicious, and ingredients are all the right one! Thank you for posting this recipe, Rebecca, and I'm glad to have found your beautiful blog! xx
Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  May 01, 2017 at 7:05 am
  Aw, thank you so much Mari! You're so sweet!
  Reply

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