Hummingbird Cake Recipe

Ingredients

• Butter, for greasing the pans
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder (make sure your baking powder is still fresh!)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, optional
• 3 large eggs
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup canola oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple, with juice
• 2 cups mashed bananas (from 3 to 5 bananas)
• 1 cup finely chopped pecans
• 1 pound cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 pounds powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon Cointreau or other liquor (see Recipe Note)
• 1 cup roughly chopped toasted pecans, optional for topping
• Edible flowers for garnish, optional