These scrumptious hummingbird cupcakes are super moist and light, full of pineapple, chopped bananas, pecans, cinnamon and spices topped off with a sweet cream cheese frosting.
Hummingbird cake first appeared in Southern Living Magazine back in 1978, originally submitted by Mrs. L.H. Wiggins of Greensboro, North Carolina and is known to have won numerous blue ribbons at county fairs. This skinny version does not disappoint! The flavors are reminiscent of a carrot cake, without the carrots and make the perfect Mother's Day dessert!
Skinny Hummingbird Cupcakes
Skinnytaste.com
Servings: 22 • Serving Size: 1 cupcake • Old Points: 4 pts • Points+: 5 pts
Calories: 197.8 • Fat: 6.5 g • Protein: 3.0 g • Carb: 31.1 g • Fiber: 1.7 g • Sugar: 21.7 g
Sodium: 284.2 mg
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 cup sugar (I used raw)
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 2 tbsp oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 cups mashed ripe bananas
- 20 oz can crushed pineapple in juice, drained well
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
For the Frosting:
- 8 oz 1/3-less fat Philadelphia Cream Cheese
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 22 pecan halves
Directions:
To prepare frosting, beat together cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and spices; stir well with a whisk.
In a medium bowl, combine oil, eggs, and vanilla; stir well. Add banana and pineapple; mix well. Fold wet ingredients and chopped pecans with the dry ingredients, batter will be stiff and dry but keep folding it and it will all come together.
Spoon batter into cupcake tin. Bake at 350° for about 23 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack.
Spread frosting over the cupcakes once they are cooled. Garnish each cupcake with a pecan half on top.




















I'm not a big fan of pineapple. Is there something I could use instead of just omit it? These look SO good!
ReplyDeleteIt needs the fruit, maybe use applesauce instead?
DeleteIn my opinion, the pineapple isn't extremely noticeable in the hummingbird cake I've had. This is one of those recipes where the flavors meld together, but you don't really notice them individually. I've never been a fan of pineapple upside down cake, but I LOVE hummingbird cake.
DeleteMaybe try mandrain oranges or something else that you do like.
DeleteHow about zuccini?
DeleteOH my gosh! These look incredible. You're awesome.
ReplyDeleteThese look fantastic!!! I love the decorative muffin liners!
ReplyDeleteLove this cake! Can't wait to try this version now.
ReplyDeleteThese look just perfect! Can't wait to try them!
ReplyDeleteThose little muffin liners are so sweet. These cupcakes look delicious. Great recipe for mother's day. :)
ReplyDeletemy mother makes this cake every year, i can't wait to try the skinny version!
ReplyDeleteMy mom makes the old version, and this is the best cake that ever was in my opinion. I will definitely be trying your version. Thank you so much for doing it!
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU!!! I've been dying for some hummingbird cake, but it was tooo many points!!
ReplyDeleteThese look delicious! :)
ReplyDeleteI love hummingbird cake, I wish I could still eat it! I am not sure it would be as good gluten free
ReplyDeletehmm, I wonder! I'll have to experiment and see.
DeleteGina! Where can I get those beautiful cupcake liners??
DeleteI think it was either Michaels or HomeGoods.
DeleteMel...I just made these using rice flour...they are DELICIOUS!!!(and gluten free!!)
DeleteGina, these look soooo good. I made your guiness cupcakes with the bailey's frosting and they were amazing-so I'll definitely try this recipe. Where did you get the cupcake liners/holders?? they are really cute and I'd love to get them for msyelf. Thanks Jackie :)
ReplyDeleteHere's a link for ya.http://www.amazon.com/Paper-Orchid-Butterflies-Cupcake-Wrapper/dp/B001HMQMPC
DeleteGina, these look really awesome. I want to make them but I'm scared I will eat them all, haha.
great, thank you so much!
DeleteHow much frosting is on each cup cake. Those look so yummy I may have to try them.
ReplyDeleteJust under 1 1/2 tbsp. The frosting makes 2 cups so you can do the math and divide by 22 to be exact.
Deletehalf of 3/4 of a cup= 1/3+ 1tbsp, right? how hard do you think this recipe would be to halve?
ReplyDeleteIt's easier to think in tablespoons, so 3/4 cup is 12 tbsp. Half would be 6 tbsp or 1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp. Yes, I made half for the photo, no problem!
DeleteI've actually never heard of hummingbird cake, but you had me when you said it's like carrot cake! :)
ReplyDeleteRandom question since I've seen it a lot on other recipes you've posted - would it make a difference to use all whole wheat flour? I wasn't sure if it would just affect the taste or if mixing both kinds helped consistency or something else.
Thanks!
In this cake it would be fine! It's usually a taste thing but with all that fruit, you won't notice.
DeleteThanks Gina! You are the best!!
DeleteCan you use this recipe and make a double layer cake instead of cupcakes?
ReplyDeleteSure, but it may require more frosting, or simply frosting the tops only.
DeleteI was wondering if using maple syrup would make it more richer tasting. because 1 cup of sugar sounds like a lot! I'm guessing I would have to adjust liquids. I love carrot cake so this sounds delicious though.
ReplyDeleteI just made a chocolate banana maple cake and it was healthier and delicious!
http://mdcooksfor2.blogspot.com/2012/05/chocolate-banana-maple-cake.html
Thanks! I love your blog!
Mabel
It sounds like a lot, but it's only about 2 tsp per cupcake, although you can certainly cut it back to your taste.
DeleteYum, yum, yum!!!!!!! These look awesome!!!
ReplyDeleteWow I cannot believe this. I just made this and was hesitant to make it again b/c I know it's so high in calories. My question though is can I put this in bundt cake form? And just take those 22 pecans and crumble them on top? Would the actual cake itself suffer any from not being used as a cupcake?
ReplyDeleteSure, I think it would be fine, it will just have to cook longer.
ReplyDeleteHi Gina,
ReplyDeleteWould you be able to say what the points/calories would be without the frosting and pecans? Thanks!
Hi Gina,
ReplyDeleteCould I skip the pecans in the batter? My fiancé can't have nuts but I think he would otherwise loveeee this. Thanks!!
Sure, they wouldn't be "hummingbird" but they taste just as good.
DeleteI'm so excited to try this! I love hummingbird cake, but it will be even better if it's a little healthier.
ReplyDeleteI have made this cake several times, so yum! Why do you still have those funny words that I have to type to commet!? :)
ReplyDeleteprevents spam which I get a ton of!
DeleteThis looked so good that I went right out and bought the ingredients to make it. I can't wait for these to come out the oven...I'll be back with an update.
ReplyDeleteThis looks amazing! It is going on the Mother's Day menu right now!
ReplyDeleteCould I use Splenda instead of the sugar and bake it in a bunt pan like I do the regular version and how long would I bake it?
ReplyDeleteOh, this is what I wanted to ask. Hope she let's us know soon. I want to make this for mothers day.
DeleteI don't use Splenda, but I'm sure the baking blend would work fine.
DeleteLoving these babies! And what gorgeous liners you have here.
ReplyDeleteYum! What a beautiful cupcake! I love that there made with fruit!
ReplyDeleteSO delicious!! I brought them to work today, and everyone is raving! I didn't frost them to cut calories and fat, and they are just so moist and wonderful. THANK YOU!
ReplyDeleteYes making the whole Hummingbird cake is sometimes way too much..this idea seems so much nicer. My mother made it as two loaves of bread..NO ICING..still tasted wonderful.. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThese sound amazing. I can't wait to make some of these up for Mother's day. thanks for the recipe
ReplyDeleteDo you know what the nutritional information would be without the frosting? I made this morning and they are SO delicious even without the frosting!
ReplyDeleteDelicious sounding! I can't wait to make them.... And I always use Splenda baking mix when I bake and have had no problems. Or use organic raw sugar.....
ReplyDeleteWhat could I substitute bananas with due to a food allergy?
ReplyDeletetry subing it with sugar free applesauce.
Deleteyou are amazing!!! I was looking for a dessert to make for mother's day brunch and i just found it. thank you!
ReplyDeleteGina, these look great! What size pan would you suggest if I wanted to make this a cake for Mother's Day and how long should I cook it?
ReplyDeleteCan you use Stevia instead of sugar.???
ReplyDeletePretty bummed that I made the full fat version of this the DAY BEFORE you posted this. Will def have to try this one
ReplyDeleteThis cake is one my Mother would take to church. Our pastor at the time, really loved it. Mother would say she is taking it to the preacher. I'm anxious to try these cupcakes.
ReplyDeleteLet me know what you think!
DeleteI made these yesterday as an after school treat. I did not make the frosting. They were good without it!!! I never heard of these before. They were really good!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Gina
I've had this recipe in my 'to make' pile but the calories always scared me but now I am definitely going to make this version. I might try it in a loaf foam instead so I can bring to a BBQ :)
ReplyDeleteCould these be made in the mini-muffin tins? What would the Points Count be for a mini-cake?
ReplyDeleteSure, 2 minis would equal the same.
DeleteWhere did you get the cupcake holders that are photographed with the hummingbird cupcakes?
ReplyDeleteI think it was Michael's.
DeleteI made them, they were great! Thanks for a wonderful recipe!
ReplyDeleteMade these for Mother's Day, used pineapple tidbits on accident instead of crushed, but they were still soo good!!!
ReplyDeleteWould the points be less if Splenda was used instead of sugar?
ReplyDeleteGina! I made this for mother's day dessert (as part of "made for mom with love theme) and OMG can you say crowd pleaser! Granted was only a crowd of three (mom, hubbs and myself) but of the 2 dozen Im left with approximately 9. Mom and hubby are diabetic so I used splenda instead of sugar and walnuts in lieu of pecans (its what I had on hand) and no FROSTING and may I just say this cupcake stood up to the challenge. Abso-friggin- lutely delish! this is likely my third or thirtieth attempt at weight watchers (this time Im more so counting calories but using WW good food guidelines and weekly meetings) but staying within my point/calorie range while NOT giving up my fave foods is so much more achievable and I have YOU TO THANK! I appreciate you for creating this site and making life so much easier for average gals like me - complete with Ziplist! I flag recipe and update my shopping list. So far Ive made a sweet treat every week since Ive started (on week 5) and up until last week made a slow cooker meal on sunday to get us thru the week. My husband (otherwise a critic) has inhaled everything faster than we can get to Tuesday. Compliments to the chef (and blog owner). You are a gem and I hope you continue to grace us with your site - bc it is a godsend! Thanks again!!!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Chubbette 150%!!! I do not think Gina realizes how wonderful she is! I have been fighting with my weight ever since I had kids (the oldest is almost 13). I absolutely LOVE to cook and her meals are on my menu everyday. I did WW, now I am counting calories and working out to Turbo Fire and am losing inches like crazy! My family LOVES all of Gina's recipes and I hope she keeps on cranking them out! I have YET to make something that we didn't just love! Gina is DEF a God send!
DeleteThese are adorable! We loved them so much we included them in our Mother's Day recipes round-up:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.tipsonhealthyliving.com/diet-and-fitness/show-your-love-with-healthy-mothers-day-recipes
I'm going to make these then freeze a bunch to use for breakfast. I don't know if these are really meant to be a breakfast item... but they look similar in nutrition to a breakfast cookie recipe I saw recently, so why not!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
I wanted to update you on the success of these cupcakes (I'm calling them muffins so that I can eat them for breakfast, hehe).
ReplyDeleteThey are totally amazing, and I am a horrible baker.
I had to make the following substitutions, as I didn't want to go out to the store: walnuts for pecans, EVOO for oil, 1/2 of the sugar was light brown sugar (1/2 white), and grated fresh ginger for powdered. Also, I didn't measure my mashed bananas--I used four of them (looked a bit under 2 cups).
I popped it into my calorie tracker (sans frosting--which is amazing, but skippable) and got: Calories 127. Woohoo!
THANK YOU! This will be a regular recipe for me. Totally impossible to mess up, and delicious.
These are incredible looking! I just made a lightened up version of Hummingbird cake too. I love it without all the added oil that the original recipe uses.
ReplyDeleteThese sound amazing! I'm wondering if there is something else I could use in place of bananas; I'm unfortunately allergic to them :(
ReplyDeleteThose cupcakes are absolutely GORGEOUS!!! :D
ReplyDeleteI made these for mothers day and they turned out beautifully! I accidentally bought the pinapple chunks rather than the crushed pineapple. After draining it, I ran it through the blender and added it in. It made the batter really moist and I was worried they wouldn't turn out. But they did! Thank you so much for the recipe.
ReplyDeleteWOW These are amazing! Honestly even better than they are from my favorite bakery. Only problem is...I can't stop eating them! Next time I'm only making 1/2!
ReplyDeleteMade these for Mother's Day and they were fantastic!! Going to try the zucchini/pineapple ones next!! Gina, I cook one of your recipes nightly! My family thanks you!!
ReplyDeleteWe are making these for church and need to make multiple batches. Would I be able to make ahead freeze these (unfrosted) or would they dry out too much?
ReplyDeleteCan I just say that I am OBSESSED with these cupcakes. I have made them every week for the past month, and they disappear, what seems like, immediately. I make them in half batches, but bake 12 cupcakes each time -- which is nice because then these are only 4 points! A moist cupcake with cream cheese frosting for 4 points? Yes, please.
ReplyDeleteFor everyone who is wondering: the freeze and thaw nicely (sans frosting).
ReplyDeleteI have been baking a batch, freezing, and then taking a frozen one to work in the morning. By the time I get to work it is thawed, and perfect for a quick breakfast.
I have made this recipie using cupcake pans, various bundt pans, regular cake pans, sheet cake pans and 11x14" rectangular pans. They all work. Just bake until cooked (I use times on recipies as recommendations, not fact so I'm used to just watching for doneness). We love this cake without frosting, dusted with powdered sugar, or frosted. And I bet I've passed this recipie (the original recipie) on more than any other recipie. Most people don't even realize there is pineapple in it. I have also added yellow raisins, chopped dried fruit, coconut. The more I add the less it needs any frosting since the cake stands on its own. I try to keep this cake in the freezer so I have something special for guests (I haven't ever frosted it if I had plans to freeze it). In fact hubby insist I send this cake whenever him and his buds go hunting/camping/fishing for a few days. Hope something here helps those asking questions. This is a very forgiving recipie - by that I mean one you can play around with once you use the basics. gbohachick@netzero.net
ReplyDeleteHow would you make these gluten-free?
ReplyDeleteI made these last night...they did not turn out at all. The batter was really wet and the did not rise in the oven. Not sure what happened.
ReplyDeleteServed these yesterday for dessert and they were a hit!!
ReplyDeleteWell I apparently can't read very well. I read 2 bananas instead of 2 cups and I did not drain the pineapple and they were still delicious.
ReplyDeleteGreat recipe, so tasty, I used less powdered sugar in the frosting. Gina, this is the first dessert I've made from your blog and is definitely a keeper. I love all the recipes I've made so far.
ReplyDeleteI made these to take to a friends house and they were a huge hit! I was so delighted to find a lower calorie version of a family favorite cake. This recipe didn't dissapoint.
ReplyDeleteI posted it on my blog and linked to your recipe.
Thank you so much for an awesome recipe.
Hi Gina, I want to make these for my NYE party (along with about 10 other recipes of yours! Haha) and I'm wondering how they'd taste/turn-out without banana or with some sort of substitution. I'm allergic to banana and I'd like to eat one of them! If you don't think it would work, I will just make them "as-is" for my guests =)
ReplyDelete