This decadent Keto Hummingbird Cake has all the trademark tropical flavors of the classic Southern favorite – and nobody will believe it’s low carb and gluten free!
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If you’ve never heard of Hummingbird Cake, it’s a classic Southern layer cake flavored with spices, bananas, pineapples, and pecans – which is then slathered liberally with a rich cream cheese frosting. Made famous by Southern Living Magazine, the Hummingbird Cake is actually of Jamaican origin, and was named after their national bird – the Hummingbird, or Doctor Bird as they also call it.
The first time I had Hummingbird Cake was a couple of years ago when we were living in Belize. I’d heard of it but never tried it, and when I did I was hooked! I couldn’t believe more people didn’t know about this amazing cake – forget carrot cake and red velvet cake – why was nobody talking about Hummingbird Cake!?
I immediately knew I wanted to create a Keto Hummingbird Cake, but the method was problematic because of all the high carb fruit in the classic version. In the end I opted to go with a small amount of chopped fresh pineapple and banana extract, which worked together to achieve the right fruit flavor and texture.
The spices and pecans were easy, and to go along with the tropical vibe, I added some unsweetened flaked coconut to the batter and then garnished the outside with toasted coconut for both looks and flavor.
I used my Keto Cream Cheese Frosting for this Keto Hummingbird Cake, and it was a sublime combination. The tangy cream cheese frosting paired with the subtly spiced cake with a banana forward flavor and a bright hint of pineapple is pretty much layer cake perfection.
Oh and it’s worth mentioning the pecans and coconut again, which add a lovely texture to this Keto Hummingbird Cake, and make it truly next level.
If you’re already a fan of Hummingbird Cake, then you’re going to be really excited about this low carb version! But even if you’ve never heard of or tasted the classic version before, I promise that this Keto Hummingbird Cake will be an instant favorite once you give it a try!
Oh, and please be sure to report back and let us know if it was a hit!
RECIPE NOTES:
It’s important to use a good quality superfine grind blanched (no skins) almond flour for this recipe – if you don’t, you will have some textural problems and it won’t bake properly.
I used a combination of white and brown sweeteners to achieve the proper flavor, but if you only have white sweetener that will work in a pinch – simply replace the brown with the same amount of white granulated erythritol.
Pay attention to what size eggs you are using – the recipe calls for large eggs and if you use extra large eggs your keto hummingbird cake may end up mushy or tough.
While this cake can be served immediately after frosting, I think the texture is greatly improved when served chilled – so if you’re making it for an event try to leave time to properly chill it for best results.
Don’t freak out about the fresh pineapple and email me about how pineapple isn’t keto – it adds less than 1 gram of net carbs per serving and is totally worth it! If that breaks your brain, you can replace the pineapple with 1 teaspoon of pineapple flavored extract, but the flavor and texture will suffer needlessly.
Because it’s so rich, a little of this Keto Hummingbird Cake goes a loooong way. For that reason I am putting this in at 16 servings per cake. If you want a bigger slice go for it, just multiply the nutrition info by 16 and then divide by the number of slices you cut to get the right macros.
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Keto Hummingbird Cake – Gluten Free
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 16 servings 1x
Description
This decadent Keto Hummingbird Cake has all the trademark flavors of the classic Southern favorite- and nobody will believe it’s low carb and gluten free!
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated erythritol sweetener (I used Swerve)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar sweetener (I used Lakanto)
- 6 large eggs
- 3 cups superfine blanched almond flour (I used Wellbees)
- 1 cup coconut flour
- pinch of salt
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons banana extract
- 2 cups almond milk, unsweetened
- 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh pineapple
- 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- Keto Cream Cheese Frosting (double batch)
- 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut (to toast for garnish)
- 8 pecan halves to garnish top of cake (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Grease two 9-inch cake pans, and line the bottoms with parchment paper (cut round to fit) which will ensure the finished cake won’t stick to the bottom.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter and sweeteners together with a mixer until smooth.
- Add the eggs, almond flour, coconut flour, salt, cinnamon, allspice, baking powder, xanthan gum, vanilla extract, banana extract, and almond milk.
- Blend for 2 – 3 minutes, or until fully smooth.
- Stir in the chopped pineapple, 1/2 cup shredded coconut, and 1/2 cup chopped pecans.
- Divide the batter (which will be thick) between the two cake pans, and spread evenly with a silicone spatula.
- Bake for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Remove the cake and cool for 30 minutes on a wire rack.
- Meanwhile, spread 1 cup of unsweetened shredded coconut on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 3 – 5 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove and set aside to garnish.
- Carefully run a knife around the rim to release the first cake, then turn out onto a cake plate or pedestal.
- Place about 1/3 of the cream cheese frosting in center of cake and carefully spread to the edges with a warm knife.
- Place second cake upside down over the frosting layer.
- Carefully frost the top and sides of cake.
- Press toasted coconut evenly into the sides of the cake with your hands, and blow or wipe any excess coconut off of the plate when finished.
- Garnish the top of the cake with pecan halves if desired.
- Can be served immediately, but I think it’s better after chilling for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Notes
Approximate net carbs per serving = 5g
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Keto Dessert Recipes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tropical
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/16th cake
- Calories: 486
- Fat: 45g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 11g
Suzanne Dampier says
This cake was AMAZING! I made it for myself, as I don’t know anyone else who is following Keto right now. And that’s a good thing, as I couldn’t stay out of it! I was a super happy camper for 16 days straight. Not just for dessert, either – it makes one wonderful breakfast entree! And it actually kept well in the fridge for that entire time. THANK YOU for posting this!
barbara a preston says
Have made this cake multiple times now. Always a favorite of mine and others! Thank you for working out the recipe. I have sometimes added gluten rather than xanthum gum so that it is a bit less dense and has a lighter texture, but either way is delicious! Next time will also try a couple of drops of pineapple extract since I love that flavor.
Margo Hagen says
You said you added gluten instead of xantham gum what is the gluten flour?, or vital gluten
Tara says
Can these be made into cupcakes ?
Debbie Hall says
Hey Melissa, I also love Carrot Cake and Italian Cream Cake. Do you think this batter will work with those?
Pamela says
Salted or unsalted butter for the cake and the frosting?
Mellissa Sevigny says
I used salted but unsalted will also work just fine. There is so much flavor you won’t see a noticeable difference.
Mary M says
Can this be baked in an 9×11 pan? Looks yummy!
Mellissa Sevigny says
Maybe a 9 x 13 pan would hold all the batter?
Ileene says
So I made this cake because I love hummingbird cake. Followed the instructions exactly and it came out soft and somewhat doughy. I baked way longer then what you suggested and still didn’t appear to be done all the way.
Melisha says
Did everything exactly as you’ve written. The cake wasnt cooked / was doughy after more than 55 minutes.
After cooking it for ages after it broke it half it still never cooked and was wet inside. Gave up on it and binned half. Lets see with the other half. May have to throw that away as well. It is quite an expensive recipe so bummer.
Mellissa Sevigny says
Possibly a problem with your oven, or you used Extra large eggs which would have had more liquid, or you didn’t use a good quality superfine blanched almond flour.
Charlene Lundquist says
This cake sounds amazing and I’m dying to try it but I have one question…is the xantham gum really necessary? I’ve used it in a few different recipes and it’s completely ruined it for me. I just can’t get past the slimy mouth feel it produces. Would it work if I omitted that one ingredient? Thank you for the amazing recipe, I’m looking forward to trying it.
Mellissa Sevigny says
There is no mouthfeel in baked goods unlike when you use it as a thickener. You can omit it but the cake will be a little more crumbly – but still good!
Jan Jensen says
Made this cake for Easter with a double batch of cream cheese icing as suggested. It was absolutely delicious and made a gorgeous cake!
I made the cake batter and refrigerated overnight in the pans before frosting the next day. I then let this sit in the fridge overnight until serving the next day. It cut like slices cleanly, was magnificent to look at and tasted every bit as good. Thanks for this recipe.
Joel says
Do you mean you baked the cakes and then refrigerated them overnight?
Suzanne says
These look delicious! Thank you for sharing!