Andrew's Banana Cake

This is the first cake I ever made for Andrew, and it continues to be his favourite. It is my type of cake too, no frosting, layers, icing, etc... It's a cake we have with tea or coffee, as a desert, or even for breakfast.
This is a Brazilian recipe and there are many similar ones with a few variations. For example, I would love to add walnuts in this cake, but I know that Andrew wouldn't like it. I used regular dark raisins here, but the golden ones are really good too.




Another thing I like about this cake is that it doesn't require any special kitchen gadget or equipment. Everything is done using a few bowls. It takes very little preparation, the hardest part for me is to mash the bananas. If you have a potato masher (which I don't) it will be easier.
For the best results, use bananas that are over ripe.





Banana Cake Recipe:
adapted from this Brazilian cooking site

2 cups of all purpose flour ( you can use half whole wheat flour, half white)
1 1/2 cup sugar ( mixing white and brown sugar will add extra flavour from the molasses)
1 tbsp cinnamon
1/2 tbsp baking powder
1 teasp baking soda
1/2 teasp salt
4 ripe bananas, mashed
2 large eggs
1/2 cup canola oil
1/2 tbsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup milk ( I use 1%)
1/2 cup raisins

Preheat oven to 350'F and prepare a cake pan with butter and flour.

Mix all the dry ingredients in a bow and whisk it to combine. Set aside.

In another bowl, mix the bananas, eggs, oil and vanilla. Add the raisins.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in 3 parts, alternating with milk and making sure it's all incorporated before adding more.

Pour cake batter into prepared pan and bake until done, about 45 minutes.
Cool in pan for 5 minutes before inverting to a wire rack to coll completely.