Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups all-purpose flour 🍚
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon 🍂
- 1 cup granulated sugar 🍬
- 1 cup packed brown sugar 🍯
- 1 teaspoon baking soda 🧂
- 1 teaspoon baking powder 🧂
- 1 teaspoon salt 🧂
- 3 large eggs 🥚
- 1 cup vegetable oil 🛢️
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (for cake) 🍶
- 8 oz (1 can) crushed pineapple, undrained 🍍
- 2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 2–3 bananas) 🍌
- 1 cup finely chopped pecans, toasted 🌰
- 32 oz cream cheese, room temperature 🧀
- 4–6 cups confectioners’ sugar (for frosting) 🍬
- 8 tablespoons (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature 🧈
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract (for frosting) 🍶
- Whole pecans for decorating, as needed 🌰
- Nonstick cooking spray or butter for pans 🧴
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans, or line bottoms with parchment and spray with cooking spray 🧴.
- In a large bowl whisk together the flour, cinnamon, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt until evenly combined 🍚🍂🍬.
- In a separate bowl beat the eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla (for cake), crushed pineapple with its juice and mashed bananas until well blended 🥚🛢️🍍🍌.
- Fold the wet ingredients into the dry mixture gently until just combined — avoid overmixing to keep the cake tender 🤲.
- Stir in the finely chopped toasted pecans until evenly distributed 🌰.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops. Bake in the preheated oven about 22–28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean 🍰.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then run a knife around the edges and invert onto wire racks to cool completely to room temperature 🧊.
- While the cakes cool, make the cream cheese frosting: beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth and lump-free. Add the vanilla (for frosting) and gradually beat in the confectioners’ sugar until the frosting is thick and spreadable 🧀🧈🍬.
- If you wish to create more layers, slice cooled cake layers horizontally with a long serrated knife or dental floss to make even tiers. Keep layers stable by chilling briefly if needed 🔪.
- Place the first cake layer on your serving plate, spread an even layer of frosting, then repeat with remaining layers. Frost the top and sides with the remaining frosting using an offset spatula for a smooth finish 🎂.
- Press whole pecans around the sides and decorate the top as desired. Chill the assembled cake for about 30 minutes to set the frosting before slicing 🌰❄️.
- Slice with a sharp knife warmed under hot water and wiped dry for clean cuts. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days 🥄.