My Grandmother from my Mother's side was born in Finland in 1914 and moved to this country when she was very young, by boat going through Ellis Island. They lived on a farm in Vermont and during the depression era nothing went to waste. Everything was made from scratch. Her mother, my Great Grandmother never learned to speak English but it was never a problem. She still taught me to bake like no other. She never bought bread, desserts or much from a grocery store. Everything was homemade with love and I love passing that love and those skills down to the next generation. This is where this recipe was born and although I've changed it slightly, its so easy and delicious just about anyone could do it!
BANANA CAKE
1 1/2 CUPS SUGAR
1/2 CUP BUTTER OR MARGARINE
2 EGGS
1/2 TSP BAKING SODA
1/2 TSP SALT
1 CUP MASHED BANANA'S (SERIOUSLY OVER RIPE BANANA'S WORK BEST)
1 TSP VANILLA
1/4 CUP MILK
1 3/4 CUPS FLOUR
MIX: BUTTER, AND SUGAR TOGETHER UNTIL REALLY WELL BLENDED THEN ADD THE EGGS AND BLEND REALLY WELL AGAIN.
IN A SEPARATE BOWL MIX DRY INGREDIENTS TOGETHER FIRST, BEFORE ADDING TO THE BUTTER, SUGAR, AND EGG MIXTURE. WHEN YOU ADD THE DRY INGREDIENTS ALSO ADD THE MASHED BANANA'S AND VANILLA THEN MIX EVERYTHING REALLY WELL.
POUR INTO A WELL GREASED 8" X 8" OR 9" X 9" PAN.
BAKE AT 350 DEGREES FOR 30 MINUTES OR UNTIL THE CAKE IS GOLDEN BROWN AND LOOSE FROM THE SIDES OF THE PAN. YOU CAN ALSO INSERT A TOOTH PICK IN THE CENTER IF IT COMES OUT MOSTLY CLEAN ITS DONE.
NOTE: WE SERVE THIS CAKE PLAIN ITS THAT GOOD. YOU MIGHT TRY SPRINKLING CONFECTIONERS SUGAR ON TOP ALSO IS REALLY GOOD. FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT, YOU MIGHT TRY ADDING SOME CHOCOLATE CHIPS TO THE BATTER BEFORE BAKING, OR SOME FINELY CHOPPED NUTS
