Hummingbird Cake Bites

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 350°F Line mini-muffin tins with 48 paper liners; set aside.
2. 2
   Toast pecans in a medium-heat iron skillet, on the stove top, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Set aside.
3. 3
   In a medium mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, soda, salt and cinnamon. Stir in eggs, oil and vanilla just until dry ingredients are moistened; do not beat. Fold in the pineapple (and juice), pecans and banana.
4. 4
   Gently spoon batter into the cups, filling each about 2/3 full. Do not overfill. You will have just enough batter for all 48 cups.
5. 5
   Bake 20 minutes; if using two pans at once, rotating the top and lower pans at the 10-minute mark for even baking. (If you have a convection oven, this is not necessary.) Bake in two batches if you have only one pan!
6. 6
   Cake bites are done when they are dark golden brown and gently crowned on top. Remove from oven and cool at least 20 minutes before frosting.
7. 7
   Swirl a small amount of icing over each cake bite in a decorative fashion. Serve immediately or cover with plastic wrap until ready to serve. (Wooden picks can be inserted in a few of the bites to keep plastic wrap from smearing the tops.).
8. 8
   Makes 48 cake bites.
9. 9
   Cream Cheese Frosting Directions:
10. 10
    In a small mixer bowl combine 4 ounces softened cream cheese, 4 tablespoons softened unsalted butter, 1 cup sifted powdered sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract ~ beat with mixer until smooth.
11. 11
    Place in a zipper-top plastic bag with one corner snipped (or use a cake decorating bag).