Delicious old-fashioned oatmeal cake recipe! This moist whole-wheat oatmeal cake comes complete with a broiled coconut-nut topping!
This oatmeal cake is one of my favorite cake recipes. My mom made this cake when I was growing up, and it’s the first cake that my oldest son learned to make on his own.
Nostalgia aside, the reason that I love this cake is because it’s very easy to make, it keeps well, and it is incredibly tasty. The cake is made with pantry staples, and it takes just minutes to make.
The cake itself is moist cake, and the delicious caramelized coconut-nut topping really makes the cake special! Give it a try, and it may become a favorite at your house, too!
“This cake is awesome! I used unsweetened coconut and about 1/2 less sugar in the cake, as we prefer thing on the less sweet side. That topping is amazing!” – Michele
Ingredient notes and substitutions
- Oats: Old-fashioned oats are sometimes called “rolled oats”.
- Butter: I use salted butter in this recipe. If you prefer to use unsalted butter, I recommend increasing the salt in the cake to 3/4 teaspoon and adding a couple pinches of salt to the topping.
- Brown sugar: I use light brown sugar in this recipe, but you could use dark brown if you prefer.
- Cream/canned milk: I use either evaporated milk or heavy whipping cream, depending on what I have on hand at the time. I don’t recommend using sweetened condensed milk.
- Pecans: You can use walnuts, if you prefer. If you want to omit the nuts, you can use additional coconut instead. You may find that you need to increase the amount of cream/milk by 1-2 tablespoons if using additional coconut.
- Coconut: I use sweetened shredded coconut. You can use unsweetened if you prefer a less sweet topping.
How to make oatmeal cake
Here you’ll find step-by-step photos showing how to make this recipe. The full recipe, including instructions, is given below.
Step 1: To make the cake, pour boiling water over oatmeal. Let it stand for 20 minutes.
Step 2: With an electric mixer (either hand or stand), beat together butter and sugars. Mix until well-combined.
Step 3: Add vanilla and eggs. Mix well.
Step 4: Add oatmeal mixture, and stir to combine.
Step 5: Stir together whole wheat flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add to batter in one addition and stir until just combined.
Step 6: Pour into prepared pan and bake. Toward the end of the baking time, make the topping.
Step 7: In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, cream or canned milk, nuts, and coconut.
Step 8: Spread the topping on the hot cake. Return to oven and broil until bubbly, about 3-4 minutes.
Step 9: Remove from oven and serve warm.
Recipe Tips!
- Broiling: Broiling the topping helps to caramelize it. Since it has quite a bit of sugar, it can easy burn, so keep an eye on it.
- Nut free: You can omit the nuts if you prefer to make the cake nut free.
Make ahead tips
The cake keeps well, and it can be made a day ahead of time if needed. To make ahead of time, bake the cake as-directed.
Then, let the cake cool to room temperature. Once cooled, wrap tightly with plastic wrap until ready to serve.
Storage
This cake can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
More recipes made with oats!Â
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Oatmeal Cake
Equipment
- 9×9-inch metal baking pan
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 ½ cups boiling water
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 1 cup brown sugar packed
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups whole wheat flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
Coconut-Brown Sugar Topping
- 1/4 cup butter melted
- 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
- 3 tablespoons cream or canned milk
- 1/2 cup pecans chopped
- 1 cup shredded coconut
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease a 9×9-inch cake pan. Set aside.
- To make the cake, pour boiling water over oatmeal. Let it stand for 20 minutes.
- With an electric mixer (either hand or stand), beat together butter and sugars. Mix until well-combined.
- Add vanilla and eggs. Mix well.
- Add oatmeal mixture, and stir to combine.
- Stir together whole wheat flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Add to batter in one addition and stir until just combined.
- Pour into prepared pan.
- Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Remove cake and turn oven to broil.
- Toward the end of the baking time, make the topping.
- In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, cream or canned milk, nuts, and coconut.
- Spread the topping on the hot cake. Return to oven and broil until bubbly, about 3-4 minutes. Be sure to keep an eye on the topping because it can overbrown quickly.
- Remove from oven, and serve warm.
Notes
- Oats: Old-fashioned oats are sometimes called “rolled oats”.Â
- Butter: I use salted butter in this recipe. If you prefer to use unsalted butter, I recommend increasing the salt in the cake to 3/4 teaspoon and adding a couple pinches of salt to the topping.
- Brown sugar: I use light brown sugar in this recipe, but you could use dark brown if you prefer.Â
- Cream/canned milk: I use either evaporated milk or heavy whipping cream, depending on what I have on hand at the time. I don’t recommend using sweetened condensed milk.Â
- Pecans: You can use walnuts, if you prefer. If you want to omit the nuts, you can use additional coconut instead. You may find that you need to increase the amount of cream/milk by 1-2 tablespoons if using additional coconut.
- Coconut: I use sweetened shredded coconut. You can use unsweetened if you prefer a less sweet topping.
- Nutrition values are estimates.Â
Nutrition
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Reader Interactions
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Comments & Reviews
Penny Bray says
This looks delicious!! We are gluten free around here so I will try this recipe with 1:1 gluten free flour….I will let you know how it turns out. I’m very optimistic!
Kate says
Thank you! I’d love to hear how it turns out!
Carol Bailey says
Forgot to Rate…
Carol Bailey says
Finger-licking good!!! But I want 9×13, please help?
Kate says
Thanks! I haven’t tried doubling the recipe in a 9×13. Usually, an 8×8 doubles to a 9×13, so there may be too much batter for a 9×13.
Glenna says
I have a similar recipe with the cake ingredient the same amounts and it’s baked in a 9×13 for 35 minutes. The topping ingredients might need to be doubled though.
Kate says
I’ve only ever baked it in the smaller pan, but it makes a pretty thick cake. I could see it working in a 9×13.
Heidi says
Can’t Wait to make this!!! Haven’t had it since my mom passed away 8 years ago. Thank You!!! This was the cake my brother always chose for his birthday. He passed two years ago and we are having it in his memory.
Kate says
I’m sorry for your losses! I love the way that food can bring back happy memories, though! I hope that you enjoy the cake!
Michele says
This cake is awesome! I used unsweetened coconut and about 1/2 less sugar in the cake, as we prefer thing on the less sweet side. That topping is amazing!
Kate says
Thank you so much!
Becca R says
Oh, yum! I LOVE this cake. I’m excited to make it following your recipe using whole wheat flour. That makes it health food. Right?
Kate says
Absolutely! =) Hope you enjoy it!
Erin says
What ratio should I use for all purpose flour? Thanks! I can’t wait to try this! Sounds delish!
Kate says
Thank you! In cakes, it’s usually a 1:1 substitute, but I haven’t tried it to say for certain. If you try it, I’d love to hear how it turns out!
Kathy Menold says
Any thing with coconut looks yummy to me and the oatmeal makes it healthy.?
Kate says
Thanks! Absolutely! ;)