Oatmeal Coconut Walnut Cake

My family has found a new go-to cake!

I couple months ago I found this recipe from The Mother Huddle. My dad's three favorite things are oatmeal cookies, coconut (fresh or in a cream pie) and walnuts (eaten raw or baked into anything). So what could be more perfect for Father's Day dinner than an Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cake with Coconut-Walnut Frosting?!?

I gotta tell you- I enjoyed every step of baking this cake. It was easy to make- the only ingredient I didn't have on hand was evaporated milk. It smelled FAN-FREAKIN'-TASTIC while baking! And everyone LOVED it! I knew my dad would, but I had no idea how much everyone else in the house would enjoy it. I think my husband had three pieces that night!

There have been several requests to bake this again. I think I'll need to add a few cans of evaporated milk to the stockpile list so I am ready to go whenever we get a craving for this incredible cake!

Here is the basic recipe but please do stop by The Mother Huddle to check out her baking tips!


Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cake

1-1/2 cups boiling water

1 cup oatmeal (old fashioned or quick)

1/2 cup butter (1 stick)

2 eggs, beaten

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup white sugar

1 tsp soda

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp vanilla

1-1/3 cup flour

Pour boiling water over oatmeal and add the butter. Let stand until butter is melted.

Add all other ingredients. Mix together well. Pour into a greased and floured 9×13 pan. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes.

Coconut Walnut Frosting

1/2 cup butter (1 stick)

1/2 cup white sugar

1/4 cup evaporated milk or cream

1-2 cups shredded coconut (I only used one cup but my mom uses two)

1 cup chopped walnuts (may substitute pecans if desired)

1 tsp vanilla

Melt butter in quart size pan and add sugar, evaporated milk (or cream.) Bring to a boil and cook until thickens, about 4 minutes on my stove. Remove from heat and stir in coconut, nuts, and vanilla. Pour over cake and broil in oven until toasty looking.