OLD FASHIONED OATMEAL CAKE
This Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cake is a timeless vintage dessert, often called “Lazy Daisy Cake.” It’s famous for its incredibly moist, dense crumb—achieved by soaking the oats in boiling water before mixing—and its irresistible broiled coconut topping. The contrast between the warm, spiced cinnamon cake and the bubbly, caramelized “frosting” makes it a standout for potlucks or cozy Sunday dinners.
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Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cake
Ingredients
| Component | Ingredient | Amount |
| For the Cake | Quick oats | 1 cup |
| Boiling water | 1 1/4 cup | |
| Unsalted butter | 1/2 cup | |
| White sugar | 1 cup | |
| Light brown sugar | 1 cup | |
| All-purpose flour | 1 1/3 cups | |
| Large eggs | 3 | |
| Baking soda | 1 teaspoon | |
| Salt | 1 teaspoon | |
| Cinnamon | 1 teaspoon | |
| Real vanilla | 1 teaspoon | |
| For the Topping | Light brown sugar | 1 cup |
| Shredded coconut | 1 cup | |
| Half & half | 1/2 cup | |
| Real butter | 4 tablespoons |
How To Make Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cake:
Step 1: The Oat Soak: Preheat your oven to 350°F and spray a 9×13-inch pan with non-stick spray. In a medium bowl, combine the quick oats and boiling water. Set this aside to soften and cool slightly while you prep the rest.
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Step 2: Dry Ingredients: Sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a separate bowl. Sifting is key here to ensure the baking soda is evenly distributed for a perfect rise.
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Step 3: Cream and Mix: In a stand mixer, beat the 1/2 cup of butter and the eggs on medium speed for 1 minute. Add the sugars and vanilla, beating until light and creamy. On low speed, add half the flour, then the soaked oatmeal, and finish with the remaining flour. Mix just until combined.
Step 4: Bake: Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 30/35 minutes. A toothpick should come out clean when inserted into the center.
Step 5: The Caramel Topping: While the cake is hot, combine the topping’s brown sugar, half & half, and butter in a pan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat and stir in the coconut.
Step 6: The Broiler Finish: Spread the coconut mixture over the hot cake. Place the pan under the broiler for about 1 minute.
Tip: Stay right by the oven! The line between “perfectly golden” and “burnt” is very thin when broiling coconut and sugar. Once it bubbles and turns golden, pull it out immediately.
