Hummingbird Bread with Cream Cheese Glaze
Hummingbird Bread is packed with bananas, pineapple and topped with a luscious vanilla bean cream cheese glaze!
I’d never heard of hummingbird cake when I was growing up, and I feel like I missed out. I’ve been making up for lost time with these hummingbird cupcakes and bundt cake recipes. They are family favorites!
Hummingbird cake is a classic southern cake that’s like carrot cake without the carrots, if that makes any sense at all. There are no carrots whatsoever, but there’s plenty of bananas, crushed pineapple and coconut, with a classic cream cheese frosting and pecans.
This Hummingbird Bread is a healthier take on one of my favorite cakes, which means you can eat it for breakfast. 🙂
This recipe is an adaption of my hummingbird muffins, with a luscious vanilla bean cream cheese glaze as a bonus. You’re welcome. 🙂
This hummingbird bread is whole grain, but still moist as it’s packed with plenty of bananas, crushed pineapple and Greek yogurt. Healthy doesn’t have to mean dry and cardboard-like. This is anything but!
Along with all of the other flavors, there’s also plenty of vanilla. I love using vanilla in my baking, and in my opinion, there’s no such thing as too much. It’s the perfect compliment to the fruit flavors, coconut, and tangy cream cheese.
The vanilla bean paste in the glaze makes it extra special. I love seeing the gorgeous black specks.
It wouldn’t be a southern cake without pecans would it? That means we have to top our glaze with toasty, nutty pecans and our bread is complete. I tossed a few toasted coconut flakes on top, too, because you know how I love coconut. 🙂
This Hummingbird Bread is makes a great brunch item, and the best part is that nobody is going to know it’s healthier! It’s perfect for Easter, Mother’s Day, or any spring/summer entertaining that you might need something special for.
And be ready for the question “what’s hummingbird bread?”
Just say that It’s like carrot cake without the carrots. That’s really all they need to know. 🙂
More bread recipes you’ll love:
- Banana bread
- Blueberry banana bread
- Gluten free banana bread
- Lemon bread by Live Well Bake Often
- Pumpkin bread
If you make this recipe I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment and rating below, or tag me @flavorthemoments on Instagram!
Hummingbird Bread with Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Glaze
Ingredients
For the bread:
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar packed
- 1/3 cup oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup mashed bananas about 2 large
- 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup skim milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 8 ounces crushed pineapple drained well
- ½ cup sweetened shredded coconut
For the glaze:
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar sifted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
- 1 1/2- 2 tablespoons nonfat milk*
- ½ cup chopped pecans
Instructions
Prepare the bread:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a standard loaf pan with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flours, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, oil, and eggs until well combined. Whisk in the bananas, yogurt, milk, and vanilla until incorporated. Fold in the crushed pineapple and coconut.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring just until incorporated.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake on the middle rack of the oven for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Place on a wire rack and cool completely.
Prepare the glaze:
- Place the cream cheese and powdered sugar in a medium bowl. Beat with a handheld mixer on low speed until incorporated, then to medium high speed until smooth.
- Add the vanilla bean paste and 1 1/2 tablespoons of the milk, and beat till combined. Add the remaining 1/2 tablespoon milk if you’d like a more pourable glaze.
- Remove the bread from the pan, place on a serving plate. and spread the glaze over the top.
- Sprinkle with the toasted pecans, slice, and enjoy!
Notes
- *I used 2 tablespoons of the milk for the glaze to make it creamier.
- Buy pre-toasted pecan pieces, or toast your own on a rimmed baking sheet in a 350 degree oven for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown and fragrant.
- Leftover bread should be refrigerated covered in plastic wrap. I loved the bread heated for 15 seconds in the microwave to take the chill off.
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
68 Comments on “Hummingbird Bread with Cream Cheese Glaze”
I never heard of a hummingbird cake until the past few years, and now I feel like they’re everywhere! I’ve never tasted on though, so I definitely need to try that…especially after seeing this version! I absolutely love the vanilla cream cheese glaze. And your pictures are just gorgeous!
Thank you, Gayle! I hope you get to try hummingbird cake (or bread!) — it’s just scrumptious!
I would most definitely give this recipe a try. It looks delicious!!
Thank you, Shoshana!
I would bake cakes!
This looks amazing! I just make Hummingbird cake actually! Great minds! 🙂
Great minds, indeed! 🙂 Thanks, Annie, and I hope I get to see your cake soon!
Hi Marcie, all the products look delicious but I am especially in love with the vanilla ones, extract and paste. Also love Hummingbird cakes and muffins, perfect food to start the day with.
The vanilla products here are amazing, Cheri! Thanks, and have a great day!
I have been making the original hummingbird recipe lately, but not happy with the calorie count and
all the white ingredients. I am definitely going to give this recipe a try…thank you.
Classic hummingbird cake is pretty high in calorie, so this is a nice option! Thank you, Heather, and I hope you enjoy it!
I love baking with vanilla, and I think I would start with simple cupcakes and a buttercream frosting — after this cake, of course!
That sounds delicious — good luck!
I would love to make a vanilla cake! I’ve been meaning to get some high quality vanilla paste, so this would be a perfect prize!
I’d definitely make something chocolate, cake or brownies!
This bread looks delicious Marcie!! And such a wonderful giveaway!!
Thank you, Ami! 🙂
Looks so good, I would definitely try this if I won!
Thank you, Lindsay, and good luck!
I would definitely try this recipe! It looks amazing!
Thank you, Alison!
I would make a cake! Maybe I will try making this delicious recipe.
This hummingbird bread looks amazing, especially with that vanilla bean cream cheese frosting! Vanilla bean paste is the best.
Thank you, Rachel, and I get enough vanilla bean paste! 🙂
I’d love to make a vanilla cake with lemon icing!
Cocoa and vanilla? Looks like brownie time!
And I’d never heard of hummingbird cake either. It looks a-MAZ-ing, though.
I’m pretty sure the first time I heard of hummingbird cake was after I started reading blogs! I had no clue what it was until then!!
I love this healthier spin … so right up my alley! And that glaze…
I saw it for the first time in a cupcake cookbook that I have — when I saw it I thought the world had been holding out on me! haha Thanks, Ashley! 🙂
Looking good” Will make over the weekend. Would love the baking essentials kit. On my way to making anything.
Thank you, Carole, and good luck to you! 🙂
I have heard of hummingbird bread Marcie, but really interesting to read about it! The flavors sound delicious and I need to make it asap!
Thanks so much, Manali!
I actually hadn’t heard of hummingbird cake either growing up! Your version looks absolutely delicious with that glaze too, I love that it’s lightened up!
Thank you, Danielle!
This is something new to me. Sounds interesting and looks gorgeous.Can’t wait to try this out 🙂
Thank you, Kushi!
I LOOOVE hummingbird cake and this hummingbird bread looks amazing without sacrificing nutritional value 🙂 Love that frosting!
Thanks so much, Medha!
I would make a delicious chocolate cake!
I would make a batch of chocolate granola and a chocolate pound cake! 🙂
Would love to try the cocoa powder on a chocolate cake recipe! Keep my fingers crossed! This cake looks wonderful!
…which means you can eat it for breakfast! Definitely my kind of cake!
Sounds like we’re on the same page, Abbe!
I would make some chocolate cake or brownies!
I’d make a chocolate cream pie
I think your recipe for the Hummingbird Bread sounds really tasty. I love Hummingbird Cake so if it is anthing like that I would love to try to make it!
Thank you, Susan! This may be lightened up, but it has big hummingbird cake flavor!
I’d make chocolate muffins with those ingredients!
I love how u use healthy ingredients to make your beautiful cake so u actually eat cake and feel good about it too.
I’ll make this cake this weekend!
Thank u
Thank you so much, Maria!
Hummingbird bread is amazing, and I really do love putting that glaze on everything! haha Thanks, Dannii!
i would make cupcakes
I just saw a recipe for a double vanilla one-layer cake with a sugar coating. These Rodelle products would be perfect – I’ve never seen vanilla paste before. Who says vanilla is boring!
I would make some brownies, or add it to my homemade smoothie bowls!
I would make family favorites, Lemon Meringue Pie, Chocolate Malt Cake and Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
I’d bake your hummingbird bread and share it with my co-workers. I love hummingbird cake, but I haven’t had the occasion to make it in years. This bread looks much easier, and healthier too!
Thank you, Amy, and I hope you get the chance to try it!
I’ve never made Hummingbird bread so this is the recipe to start with Marcie! Looks so moist!
Thanks, Deb! 🙂
I would use them in my cookies and cakes. I don’t really have a chance to get great flavorings. Your recipes are awesome!
Thank you so much, Tina — good luck to you!
I’ve only heard of a humming heard of a hummingbird cake until after I started the food blog too. Yours looks gorgeous, Marcie! I love that it’s healthier!
Thank goodness we started blogs so we could be in on the hummingbird craze, right? 🙂 Thanks, Kelly!
Omg first I would make this hummingbird bread, then I would make sugar cookies with the Rodelle because my daughter and I have just gotten into making them for each season & holiday 🙂
I would make blueberry coffeecake
I would try this recipe for lighter Hummingbird Cake/Bread but first I would try to find a recipe for the elusive DATE NUT CAKE. It seems to be a tradition in NE Ohio and I’ve never had it but my husband loves it and his favorite bakery that made it closed. The alternate one made at a new bakery – he claims it’s not worth eating!
I think I would have to try out this hummingbird bread
I’d probably give as a gift to my mom who enjoys making cakes and bread. I think she’d let me have a piece though. Thanks.