Happy Birthday to me~

Happy birthday to me,

happy birthday to meeeeeeeee~

Give me a fork, pass me some cake...

happy birthday to meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Here is a recipe of the birthday cake (cupcakes) that I made for myself.. its fabulous! Some say this southern layer cake earned its name because each otherworldly bite makes you hum with delight....

Sounds like the perfect cake for my birthday!

Here is the recipe:
HUMMINGBIRD CAKE
3 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt (I never add the salt)
1 cup vegetable oil (I use 1 cup of applesauce instead)
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 cups sugar
3 large eggs
2 cups mashed ripe banana (about 3 large)
1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple, drained
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
1 cup coconut
1.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees, with rack in the center. If your using cake pans-- butter and flour pans. Set aside.
2.) In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt, set aside.
3.) In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat oil (I use applesauce) vanilla and sugar until combined... about 2 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, incorporating each before adding the next. Beat at medium speed until mixture is pale yellow and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
4.) In a medium bowl, mix together banana, pineapple, walnuts and coconut. Add to egg mixture; stir until well combined. Add flour mixture; blend well.
5.) Divide batter between pans. (I prefer cupcakes!) Bake, rotating the pans halfway through, until golden brown and a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, baking 30 to 40 minutes.
6.) Transfer pans to a greased wire rack. Let cool 15 minutes. Run a knife around edges to loosen. Invert onto racks; cool completely.
CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
1 pound (16 ounces) cream cheese, room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, but into pieces, room temperature
2 pounds confectioners' sugar
1.) In a bowl of an electric mixer, beat cream cheese and vanilla until light and creamy, about 2 minutes. With mixer on medium speed, gradually add butter, beating until incorporated.
2.) Reduce mixer speed to low. Gradually add sugar, beating until incorporated. Use immediately, or cover and refrigerate up to 3 days. Frost cake or cupcakes...