A moist, tender quick bread bursting with ripe banana, pineapple, and warm spices—topped with luscious cinnamon-infused cream cheese frosting. Sweet, aromatic, and perfect for breakfast or dessert.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Exciting flavor from bananas, pineapple, cinnamon, and vanilla
Moist crumb that stays fresh for days
Rich and smooth cinnamon cream cheese frosting
No yeast needed—easy to whisk and bake
Great for breakfast, brunch, or sweet snack time
Ideal make-ahead loaf or freezer-friendly treat
Perfect balance of sweet and spice
Tropical twist on classic banana bread
Easy to customize with nuts or dried fruit
Crowd-pleasing and heartfelt gift option

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Hummingbird bread:

1¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon salt
3 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1½ cups)
⅔ cup crushed pineapple, drained
½ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
½ cup vegetable oil or melted coconut oil
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

For the Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting:

4 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Pinch of salt (optional)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Grease a standard 9×5-inch loaf pan and line with parchment if desired.
Mix dry ingredients: whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a large bowl.
Combine wet ingredients: in another bowl, whisk mashed bananas, crushed pineapple, granulated and brown sugars, eggs, oil, and vanilla until smooth.
Stir together: pour the wet mixture into dry ingredients. Stir until just combined—avoid overmixing. Fold in nuts if using.
Bake: pour batter into prepared pan and bake for about 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean or with only moist crumbs.
Cool: transfer loaf to a wire rack and cool completely before frosting to avoid melting the frosting.
Make frosting: beat softened cream cheese and butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt. Mix until smooth and fluffy.
Frost the bread: spread frosting evenly over cooled loaf. Sprinkle with chopped nuts or a cinnamon dusting if desired.
Serve: slice and serve. Keeps well chilled or at room temperature.

Servings And Timing

Servings: 8–10 slices
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 55–65 minutes
Cooling Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: ~1 hour 45 minutes

Variations

Use mashed banana and mashed sweet potato instead of pineapple for a fall twist
Add ½ cup shredded coconut or raisins for texture and sweetness
Substitute honey or maple syrup for part of the sugar for natural sweetness
Lighten with Greek yogurt and reduced oil in the batter
Spike cinnamon frosting with a pinch of cardamom or ground ginger
Fold in finely chopped apples or carrot shreds for more veggie flavor
Make cupcakes instead of a loaf for portioned servings
Use vegan cream cheese and butter substitutes for a dairy-free version
Add toasted seeds or chopped pecans on top for garnish
Drizzle honey or fruit compote over frosting instead of a full layer

Storage/Reheating

Store cooled, frosted loaf in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
Bring to room temperature before serving for best texture
Bread alone (without frosting) can be wrapped and stored at room temperature for 2–3 days
Loaf (unfrosted) freezes well—freeze wrapped for up to 1 month
Thaw overnight and frost before serving for best freshness

Hummingbird Bread With Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

FAQs

Can I make this bread ahead of time?

Yes—bake the loaf in advance and frost just before serving to keep the frosting fresh.

Why should I let the bread cool completely before frosting?

Frosting skids or melts if the bread is too warm; cooling completely ensures a clean finish.

Can I reduce the sugar?

Yes—reduce granulated sugar by up to one-third for a less sweet loaf without compromising moisture.

Is the bread dense or light?

It’s moist with a tender crumb—not heavy, thanks to the combination of banana and pineapple.

Can I omit the nuts?

Yes—nuts are optional and can be omitted or replaced with seeds or dried fruit.

How do I keep the bananas from browning?

Use fresh bananas. Overripe ones work best for sweetness but frost or wrap the loaf if sliced and stored.

Can I skip the frosting?

Absolutely—it’s tasty plain or with a light dusting of powdered sugar.

Can I make it gluten-free?

Yes—substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free mix and ensure other ingredients are gluten-free.

Can I make muffins instead?

Yes—pour batter into lined muffin cups and bake for 18–22 minutes at the same temperature.

How should I serve leftover slices?

Enjoy at room temperature or lightly warmed—great with tea or coffee.

Conclusion

Hummingbird Bread with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting brings the tropical warmth of banana and pineapple together with cinnamon richness to create an unforgettable loaf. With its moist crumb, lovely spice notes, and indulgent frosting, it’s ideal for brunch, dessert, or sweet everyday enjoyment. Easy to bake and endlessly customizable, it’s sure to delight everyone who tries it.