Description

Warm, tender, and dripping with a buttery coconut topping, Grandma’s Oatmeal Cake is the ultimate comfort dessert. This easy recipe brings out the nostalgic flavors of your childhood with every bite. A moist, spice-infused cake made from pantry staples and topped with a rich broiled brown sugar glaze—it’s the kind of dish that turns ordinary days into special memories.

Perfect for cozy nights, potlucks, or when you’re just craving something sweet and homemade, this is a top-tier choice among quick breakfast options, easy dessert recipes, and timeless food ideas. Whether you’re seeking dinner ideas with a sweet ending or breakfast ideas that double as a treat, this healthy snack-like cake covers it all. The soft crumb, hearty oats, and irresistible topping make it one of those recipes you’ll return to again and again.

Ingredients

For the cake:

1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats

1 1/2 cups boiling water

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup brown sugar, packed

2 large eggs

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

1 tsp vanilla extract

For the topping:

1/2 cup unsalted butter

3/4 cup brown sugar, packed

1/4 cup evaporated milk (or heavy cream)

1 cup shredded sweetened coconut

1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)

1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

In a bowl, combine oats and boiling water. Let soak for 20 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
In a large bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar.
Beat in eggs and vanilla extract. Mix in soaked oats.
In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Add dry ingredients to wet mixture and stir just until combined.
Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 35–40 minutes.
While cake bakes, prepare the topping: Melt butter in a saucepan, add brown sugar and milk, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in coconut, pecans, and vanilla.
Spread topping over hot cake. Broil 2–3 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Let cool slightly before serving.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Dessert