Vintage Oatmeal Cake with Coconut Frosting Recipe

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This vintage Oatmeal Cake is like a hug from your grandma. It has all those warm spices you love and the very best part is this amazing frosting. It is a true labor of love that you can taste in each bite.

A square of vintage oatmeal cake with coconut frosting on a white plate.

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Vintage Oatmeal Cake is a true classic in every sense of the word. This is one of those desserts that you can tell is homemade, just by looking at it.  No way can you get this kind of goodness out of a box. You can tell it’s made with love.  You will love everything about vintage cake.


MORE CAKE RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE

No Bake Chocolate Eclair Cake | Rum Soaked Cake | Glazed Cinnamon Bundt Cake


What We Love About This Vintage Oatmeal Cake with Coconut Frosting Recipe

This grandma cake is the recipe you will make when you want to impress people by making a dessert that everyone will ask for at every get-together. It is that special! Top that with this amazing cooked frosting, full of nuts and coconut. Find out the history of oat cakes here.

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  • Easy Ingredients: This cake is made with classic pantry staples. Grandmother’s recipe is a true classic, she has made this cake for years. If you haven’t tried this wonderful recipe, you must. You will love this cake.
  • Family Friendly: Moist cake and homemade frosting recipe are so worth the effort.
  • Makes Great Leftovers: Your family will be begging to take the remaining delicious cake home with them.
A whole cake in a glass baking dish.

Ingredient Notes for the Homemade Old-Fashioned Oatmeal Cake

  • Oatmeal: Rolled oats will add the best flavor and texture to this old-fashioned cake recipe. Skip the steel-cut oats.
  • Evaporated milk: Not sweetened condensed milk.
  • Walnuts: chopped but coconut and pecans are also excellent mix together.
  • Vanilla Extract: A good quality extract.
Oatmeal, coconut, butter flour baking powder and the ingredients to make the cake.

Variations and Substitutions for the Best Oatmeal Cake

  • Different Nuts – Try pecans or almonds! Coconut Pecan topping is excellent.
  • Butter – Use unsalted butter in this recipe.
  • Spices – Ground nutmeg or Pumpkin Pie spices.

How to Make Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cake Recipe

These are the basic steps for making a recipe for oatmeal cake. Please refer to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions and nutrition information. Check out Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook for more great recipes to enjoy.

Mixing the cake ingredients together. Soaking the oatmeal for the cake.

STEP 1: PREPARE OATS

First, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Then add oats to a large bowl, pour boiling water over oats, and let sit until cooled.

Mixing the oats together with the rest of the cake ingredients for the vintage oatmeal cake with coconut frosting.

STEP 2: CAKE MIX

Next in a separate bowl, cream brown and white sugar with eggs and oil. Sift together the remaining ingredients and add to the sugar mixture. Fold in a soaked oat mixture.

STEP 3: BAKE

Pour cake batter into a greased 13×9 baking dish. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean.

Baking the cake in an 9x13 pan and then frosting with the coconut frosting.

STEP 4: FROSTING

When there are 10 minutes remaining, begin making icing. In a large saucepan, combine margarine, brown sugar, and evaporated milk. Then cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 5-6 minutes.

STEP 5: FROSTING

Once thick, remove from heat and add vanilla, coconut, and walnuts. Spread frosting over hot cake. Finally, allow to completely cool before serving.

Prep and Storage Tips for the Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cake with Coconut Topping

HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE AHEAD OF TIME

The best way to make this recipe ahead of time store it on your counter in an airtight container. It will last for several days.

HOW TO STORE THIS RECIPE

Store the delicious oatmeal cake in an airtight container or wrapped well in aluminum foil.

HOW TO FREEZE THIS RECIPE

You can freeze this cake in an airtight recipe or wrap it well in aluminum foil for up to four months.

Frequently Asked Questions

CAN I ADD FRUIT?

Of course, add some raisins even soak in a spiced rum for a boozy plump taste. Apples would be great too!

SHOULD I USE OLD-FASHIONED OATS OR QUICK OATS FOR THIS CAKE?

Old-fashioned rolled gives a more oat flavor, However, can replace it with quick-cooking – oats but it will not have the same flavor.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO ADD CHIPS?

Indeed, chips are a great addition to the top of the cake. Try caramel or dark chocolate chips for this moist fashion cake.

CAN I MAKE THIS CAKE AS CUPCAKES?

Yes, you can. Bake the cupcake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes or until the toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. They will be moist and delicious.

Serving a slice of the cale.

Expert Tips for Making This Oatmeal Cake Recipe

  • Great for a Crowd: You can double the recipe for a potluck or large party.
  • More Icing: If you want you can add even more icing if you.
  • Caramel: Try using caramel icing for this recipe if you prefer.

What to Serve with Vintage Oatmeal Cake with Coconut Frosting

A square of vintage oatmeal cake with coconut frosting on a white plate.
5 from 1 vote

Vintage Oatmeal Cake with Coconut Frosting

Yield: 12 servings
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 45 minutes
Total: 1 hour
This vintage Oatmeal Cake is like a hug from your grandma. It has all those warm spices you love and the very best part is this amazing frosting. It is a true labor of love that you can taste in each bite.
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⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️Did you try this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review below!

Ingredients

Cake

  • 1 cup oatmeal
  • 1 ½ cups boiling water
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 ½ cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Frosting

  • ½ cup margarine
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup shredded coconut
  • ½ cup evaporated milk
  • ½ cup walnuts, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Add oats to a large bowl, pour water over oats and let sit until cooled.
  • In a separate bowl, cream brown and white sugar with eggs and oil. Sift together remaining ingredients and add to sugar mixture. Fold in oatmeal mixture.
  • Pour batter into greased 13×9 baking dish. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Frosting
  • When there is 10 minutes remaining, begin making frosting. In a large sauce pan, combine margarine, brown sugar and evaporated milk.
  • Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 5-6 minutes. Once thick, remove from heat and add vanilla, coconut and walnuts.
  • Spread frosting over hot cake. Allow to completely before serving.

Expert Tips

  • Great for a Crowd: You can double the recipe for a pot luck or large party.
  • More Icing: If you want you can add even more icing if you.
  • Caramel : Try using a caramel icing for this recipe if you prefer.

Estimated Nutritional Information

Calories: 518kcal | Carbohydrates: 73g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 267mg | Potassium: 174mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 57g | Vitamin A: 405IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 103mg | Iron: 2mg
The nutritional information provided are estimates. To learn more about how I calculate this information go to www.itisakeeper.com/about-its-a-keeper/privacy-disclosure-policies/
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

3 thoughts on “Vintage Oatmeal Cake with Coconut Frosting Recipe”

  1. thanx for your simple and easy step by step reicpe I can’t now say ..baking is a piece of cake. I’ve tried it using your reicpe and the cake comes out super moist but since I have a bit of a sweet tooth I might use 1/2 cup of sugar the next time I back this cake but over all its simple easy and delightful

    Reply

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