The Best Oatmeal Cake Recipe: A Cozy Treat for Sweet Lovers

Oatmeal cake whispers comfort through its tender crumb and nostalgic warmth.

Generations have savored this classic dessert for its rustic charm and homemade goodness.

Soft, spiced layers create a delightful sensory experience that awakens childhood memories.

Hearty ingredients reimagine simple pantry staples into a remarkable sweet treat.

Subtle hints of cinnamon and nutmeg dance within each delectable slice.

Robust oats provide unexpected depth and a satisfying texture to this beloved cake.

The magic happens when humble components merge into something truly extraordinary.

Oatmeal Cake: A Comforting Classic with a Modern Twist

• Bake a Comforting Classic: This oatmeal cake brings nostalgia with its warm, homey flavors that remind you of grandma's kitchen, packed with hearty oats and rich cinnamon spice.
• Enjoy Textural Perfection: Combine the soft, tender cake base with a crunchy streusel topping featuring toasted pecans and coconut, creating an irresistible contrast that delights every bite.
• Master Simple Baking Magic: With straightforward ingredients and easy steps, even novice bakers can whip up this delicious dessert that looks and tastes like a professional bakery creation, making it perfect for weekend family gatherings or potluck parties.

What You Need for a Perfect Oatmeal Cake

• Oats: Provides texture and moisture to the cake, old-fashioned rolled oats work best.
• Hot Milk: Softens oats and adds richness to the cake, whole milk recommended.
• Flour: Gives structure to the cake, all-purpose flour is ideal.
• Cinnamon: Adds warm, sweet flavor to the cake.
• Baking Soda: Helps cake rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor of the cake.

• Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Provide sweetness and help create tender crumb.
• Butter: Adds richness and creates smooth, creamy texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with sweet, aromatic notes.

• Coconut Flakes: Adds tropical flavor and crunchy texture to streusel.
• Pecans: Provides nutty crunch and depth to the topping.
• Milk: Helps bind streusel ingredients together.

• Eggs: Help bind ingredients and provide structure to the cake.

How to Bake a Perfectly Moist Oatmeal Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish

Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.

Step 2: Soak the Oats

In a medium bowl, combine hot milk and oats. Let the mixture soak while you prepare other ingredients.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Cinnamon
• Baking soda
• Salt

Step 4: Create the Cake Base

• Butter
• Brown sugar
• Granulated sugar

Add eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.

Step 5: Combine Cake Mixture

Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the creamed ingredients, alternating with the soaked oats. Mix until smooth and well combined.

Step 6: Bake the Cake

Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 7: Prepare the Streusel Topping

• Coconut flakes
• Chopped pecans

Step 8: Finish and Serve

Spread the streusel topping over the warm cake. Let the cake stand for 10 minutes before serving to allow the topping to set and flavors to meld.

Tips for Ensuring Your Oatmeal Cake Turns Out Flawless

• Soak Oats Perfectly: Let hot milk and oats rest together to create a rich, moist texture that enhances the cake's softness.
• Cream Butter Strategically: Beat butter and sugars until light and fluffy, ensuring a smooth and even cake consistency.
• Layer Ingredients Gradually: Add dry ingredients and soaked oats alternately to prevent lumps and create a well-integrated batter.
• Check Doneness Carefully: Use the toothpick test to ensure the cake is fully baked without becoming dry or overcooked.
• Toast Streusel Topping: Consider lightly toasting coconut flakes and pecans before adding to the topping for extra depth of flavor and crunch.

How to Keep Your Oatmeal Cake Fresh for Longer

• Refrigeration: Store leftover oatmeal cake in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Wrap individual slices tightly with plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
• Room Temperature: Keep cake covered at room temperature for 1-2 days maximum. Place a clean kitchen towel over the cake to protect it from dust and maintain its soft texture.
• Reheating: Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds on medium power. Alternatively, reheat slices in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes, which helps restore the cake's original soft and tender crumb while slightly crisping the streusel topping.

Best Ways to Enjoy Your Oatmeal Cake

• Brew Cozy Coffee Companions: Pair this warm oatmeal cake with a rich, medium-roast coffee that complements its nutty and sweet profile. The robust coffee balances the cake's sweetness and highlights its cinnamon undertones.
• Select Smooth Dessert Wines: Choose a late-harvest Riesling or a sweet Moscato that echoes the cake's caramel notes and provides a delightful contrast to the streusel's buttery texture.
• Craft Creamy Beverage Matches: Serve alongside a cold glass of vanilla-infused almond milk or a creamy chai latte to enhance the cake's warm spices and nutty pecan elements.
• Explore Complementary Tea Pairings: Try a chai tea or a spiced apple tea that mirrors the cake's cinnamon warmth and brings out its comforting, homestyle character.

Fun Variations on Classic Oatmeal Cake

• Nutty Coconut Crunch: Replace pecans with sliced almonds and add shredded coconut to the streusel for extra texture and tropical flavor.
• Berry Bliss Edition: Fold fresh blueberries or raspberries into the batter before baking, creating bursts of fruity sweetness throughout the cake.
• Chocolate Chip Comfort: Mix semi-sweet chocolate chips into the batter and sprinkle additional chips on top of the streusel for a rich, decadent version.
• Spiced Autumn Warmth: Enhance the cinnamon with ground nutmeg and ginger, and add a handful of diced dried apples to the batter for a cozy fall-inspired cake.

Oatmeal Cake Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Rich, spiced oatmeal cake celebrates classic comfort with warm cinnamon and hearty rolled oats. Moist layers drizzled with brown sugar caramel sauce promise pure nostalgic delight you’ll savor down to the last sweet crumb.

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Ingredients

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Cake Ingredients:

Main Ingredients:

• 1½ cups (360 milliliters / 12 fluid ounces) hot milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup (90 grams) old-fashioned oats
• 1⅓ cups (170 grams) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
• ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature

Sweeteners:

• 1 cup (220 grams) brown sugar
• 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Streusel Topping Ingredients:

Main Topping Ingredients:

• ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter
• 1 cup (220 grams) brown sugar
• ¾ cup (75 grams) finely chopped pecans
• ½ cup (40 grams) coconut flakes

Additional Ingredient:

• ¼ tablespoon (4 milliliters / 0.125 fluid ounces) milk

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Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and thoroughly coat a 9×13-inch (23×33 centimeters) baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
2. Pour hot milk over rolled oats in a medium mixing bowl and allow to soften and absorb liquid while preparing other components.
3. Combine all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, baking soda, and kosher salt in a separate mixing bowl, whisking to distribute ingredients evenly.
4. Using an electric mixer, cream unsalted butter, dark brown sugar, and granulated white sugar until light and fluffy.
5. Incorporate eggs individually into the butter mixture, ensuring complete integration after each addition, then blend in pure vanilla extract.
6. Gradually fold dry ingredient mixture into the creamed butter mixture, alternating with the softened oat mixture to create a smooth, consistent batter.
7. Transfer cake batter into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly with a rubber spatula.
8. Bake for 35-40 minutes, checking for doneness by inserting a clean toothpick into the center, which should emerge without raw batter.
9. During baking, prepare streusel topping by melting unsalted butter in a small saucepan, then stirring in dark brown sugar and whole milk.
10. Mix shredded coconut flakes and roughly chopped pecans into the warm butter mixture until well combined.
11. Remove cake from oven and immediately spread the streusel topping across the surface, ensuring even coverage.
12. Allow cake to rest for 10 minutes, enabling topping to set and flavors to meld before serving warm or at room temperature.

Notes

• Customize this cake by swapping pecans with walnuts or almonds for a different nutty crunch.
• Leftover cake stays moist and delicious when wrapped tightly and stored at room temperature for 3-4 days.
• Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for extra indulgence.
• Save preparation time by measuring dry ingredients while oats are soaking in hot milk.
• Check cake doneness early to prevent overcooking, as ovens can vary in temperature and baking performance.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 420 kcal
• Sugar: 38g
• Sodium: 250mg
• Fat: 24g
• Saturated Fat: 14g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0.5g
• Carbohydrates: 54g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 6g
• Cholesterol: 80mg