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Oatmeal Cake: The Ultimate Guide to Baking the Perfect Cake


  • Total Time: 60 minutes
  • Yield: 12-15 servings 1x

Description

Moist and delicious oatmeal cake topped with a creamy vanilla frosting and optional pecans or walnuts. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups rolled oats (not instant)
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ cups boiling water
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 6 tablespoons (¾ stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 3 tablespoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
  2. Combine oats and boiling water: In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats and boiling water. Stir well and let sit for 20 minutes.
  3. Cream butter and sugar: In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (3-5 minutes).
  4. Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract.
  5. Combine dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt.
  6. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, alternating with the oat mixture. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
  7. Pour batter into prepared pan: Pour the batter into the prepared 9×13 inch baking pan and spread it evenly.
  8. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  9. Cool completely: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. Cream butter (frosting): In a large bowl, cream the softened butter until smooth and creamy (2-3 minutes).
  11. Gradually add powdered sugar (frosting): Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition.
  12. Add milk and vanilla (frosting): Add the milk and vanilla extract and beat until the frosting is light and fluffy. Adjust milk/powdered sugar for consistency.
  13. Stir in nuts (optional): If desired, stir in the chopped pecans or walnuts.
  14. Frost the cake: Once the cake is completely cool, frost it with the prepared frosting.
  15. Serve: Cut the cake into squares and serve.

Notes

  • Use room temperature ingredients for best results.
  • Don’t overmix the batter.
  • Check for doneness with a toothpick.
  • Cool completely before frosting.
  • Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • Variations: Add fruit, use different nuts, add chocolate chips, make it gluten-free, spice it up.
  • Troubleshooting: Cake is dry (don’t overbake, use enough butter/eggs), cake is dense (don’t overmix, fresh baking soda), frosting too thick (add milk), frosting too thin (add powdered sugar).
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes