Hummingbird Cake

2 cups pecans, chopped, divided 3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1⁄2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1⁄2 teaspoon allspice
1⁄2 teaspoon kosher salt 2 cups mashed bananas
Cream Cheese Frosting
16 ounces cream cheese, softened 3⁄4 cup butter, softened
5 cups powdered sugar
Makes 12 servings
1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained 3 large eggs, room temperature
2⁄3 cup vegetable oil
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
3⁄4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 tablespoon milk
1⁄8 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Spread pecans onto a baking pan lined with parchment paper. Toast for 8 minutes. Remove from the oven. Turn oven up to 350 degrees then grease and lightly flour 3 (9-inch) cake pans.

Whisk the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice, and salt together in a large bowl. Combine the bananas, pineapple, eggs, oil, brown sugar, sugar, and vanilla in a medium bowl. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until completely combined. Fold in 1 1/2 cups toasted pecans.

Spread batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Rotate pans halfway through baking.

Remove cakes from the oven and allow to cool completely in the pans set on a wire rack. Once completely cooled, remove cakes from pans and level the tops off so they are flat.

To make frosting, use a hand or stand mixer to beat the cream cheese and butter together in a large bowl until smooth and creamy. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, milk, and salt. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds then switch to high speed and beat for 2 minutes. Taste. Add more salt if needed.

Place 1 cake layer on a cake stand or serving plate. Evenly cover the top with frosting. Top with second layer and evenly cover the top with frosting. Finish with the third cake layer and spread the remaining frosting all over the top and sides. Garnish with remaining toasted pecans. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before slicing or else the cake may fall apart as you cut.