Delicious and Easy Oatmeal Cake Recipes: A Step-by-Step Guide
Oatmeal cake might sound unusual, but it’s a delightful and surprisingly delicious dessert that has been enjoyed for generations. Its moist, tender crumb and subtly sweet flavor make it a perfect treat for breakfast, brunch, or even dessert. This cake is not only incredibly tasty but also incredibly versatile, allowing for endless variations and adaptations to suit your preferences. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore various oatmeal cake recipes, from classic versions to creative twists, providing you with step-by-step instructions and tips to ensure baking success. Get ready to discover your new favorite cake!
## What Makes Oatmeal Cake So Special?
Before diving into the recipes, let’s understand what makes oatmeal cake stand out from other cakes:
* **Moisture:** The oatmeal absorbs moisture during the soaking process, resulting in an exceptionally moist and tender cake.
* **Texture:** The oats contribute to a slightly chewy and pleasantly dense texture, adding a unique dimension to the cake.
* **Flavor:** Oatmeal lends a subtle nutty and earthy flavor that complements other ingredients beautifully, creating a well-balanced taste.
* **Versatility:** Oatmeal cake serves as a fantastic base for various flavors and toppings, allowing for endless customization.
* **Simplicity:** Often, oatmeal cake recipes are surprisingly simple to make, requiring readily available ingredients and straightforward instructions.
## Classic Oatmeal Cake Recipe
This is the foundation, the go-to recipe that every oatmeal cake enthusiast should have in their repertoire.
**Ingredients:**
* 1 1/2 cups rolled oats (not instant)
* 1 1/2 cups boiling water
* 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
* 1 cup granulated sugar
* 1 cup packed brown sugar
* 2 large eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
**Instructions:**
1. **Soak the Oats:** In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats and boiling water. Stir well and let stand for 20-30 minutes, or until the oats have absorbed most of the water and cooled slightly. This step is crucial for achieving the right texture in your cake.
2. **Preheat and Prepare:** Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan. Alternatively, you can use baking spray with flour to prevent sticking.
3. **Cream Butter and Sugars:** In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes with an electric mixer.
4. **Add Eggs and Vanilla:** Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Make sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. This helps to create a smooth batter.
5. **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Whisking ensures that the baking soda and cinnamon are evenly distributed throughout the flour, leading to consistent rising and flavor.
6. **Alternate Wet and Dry Ingredients:** Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, alternating with the soaked oats. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a tough cake. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in a denser, less tender crumb.
7. **Pour into Pan:** Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly.
8. **Bake:** Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. The baking time may vary depending on your oven, so start checking for doneness around 30 minutes.
9. **Cool:** Let the cake cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling the cake slightly in the pan helps it to set and prevents it from breaking when you invert it.
## Variations and Add-Ins for Classic Oatmeal Cake
Once you’ve mastered the basic oatmeal cake, you can start experimenting with different flavors and add-ins:
* **Nuts:** Add 1/2 to 1 cup of chopped nuts, such as walnuts, pecans, or almonds, to the batter for added crunch and flavor.
* **Dried Fruit:** Incorporate 1/2 to 1 cup of dried fruit, such as raisins, cranberries, or chopped dates, for a chewy and sweet addition.
* **Chocolate Chips:** Fold in 1/2 to 1 cup of chocolate chips (milk, semi-sweet, or dark) for a chocolatey twist.
* **Spices:** Experiment with different spices, such as nutmeg, cloves, or ginger, to enhance the flavor profile.
* **Citrus Zest:** Add the zest of an orange or lemon for a bright and zesty flavor.
## Brown Butter Oatmeal Cake with Maple Glaze
This variation elevates the classic oatmeal cake with the rich, nutty flavor of brown butter and the sweetness of maple glaze. Browning the butter adds a depth of flavor that complements the oatmeal beautifully.
**Ingredients:**
* 1 1/2 cups rolled oats (not instant)
* 1 1/2 cups boiling water
* 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
* 1 cup granulated sugar
* 1 cup packed brown sugar
* 2 large eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
**Maple Glaze:**
* 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
* 2 cups powdered sugar
* 1/4 cup maple syrup
* 2 tablespoons milk or cream
* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
**Instructions:**
1. **Soak the Oats:** In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats and boiling water. Stir well and let stand for 20-30 minutes, or until the oats have absorbed most of the water and cooled slightly.
2. **Brown the Butter:** In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Continue cooking, swirling occasionally, until the butter turns a golden brown color and has a nutty aroma. Be careful not to burn the butter. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
3. **Preheat and Prepare:** Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
4. **Cream Butter and Sugars:** In a separate large bowl, combine the browned butter (slightly cooled), granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat until well combined.
5. **Add Eggs and Vanilla:** Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
6. **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
7. **Alternate Wet and Dry Ingredients:** Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, alternating with the soaked oats. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
8. **Pour into Pan:** Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly.
9. **Bake:** Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
10. **Cool:** Let the cake cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
11. **Make the Maple Glaze:** While the cake is cooling, prepare the maple glaze. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Remove from heat and whisk in the powdered sugar, maple syrup, milk or cream, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add more milk or cream if needed to reach desired consistency.
12. **Glaze the Cake:** Once the cake is completely cooled, drizzle the maple glaze over the top. Let the glaze set for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
## Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cake
This recipe combines the warm flavors of apple and cinnamon with the moistness of oatmeal cake, creating a comforting and delicious treat. It’s perfect for fall or any time you crave a cozy dessert.
**Ingredients:**
* 1 1/2 cups rolled oats (not instant)
* 1 1/2 cups boiling water
* 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
* 1 cup granulated sugar
* 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
* 2 large eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 2 cups peeled and diced apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
**Optional Streusel Topping:**
* 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
* 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
* 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
**Instructions:**
1. **Soak the Oats:** In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats and boiling water. Stir well and let stand for 20-30 minutes, or until the oats have absorbed most of the water and cooled slightly.
2. **Preheat and Prepare:** Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
3. **Cream Butter and Sugars:** In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
4. **Add Eggs and Vanilla:** Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
5. **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
6. **Alternate Wet and Dry Ingredients:** Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, alternating with the soaked oats. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
7. **Fold in Apples:** Gently fold in the diced apples.
8. **Prepare Streusel Topping (Optional):** In a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
9. **Pour into Pan:** Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly. If using, sprinkle the streusel topping over the batter.
10. **Bake:** Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean and the topping is golden brown.
11. **Cool:** Let the cake cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
## Chocolate Oatmeal Cake
For chocolate lovers, this recipe transforms the classic oatmeal cake into a decadent chocolate delight. The addition of cocoa powder creates a rich, chocolatey flavor that is irresistible.
**Ingredients:**
* 1 1/2 cups rolled oats (not instant)
* 1 1/2 cups boiling water
* 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
* 1 cup granulated sugar
* 1 cup packed brown sugar
* 2 large eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
* 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 cup sour cream or plain yogurt (optional, for extra moisture)
**Optional Chocolate Ganache:**
* 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
* 1/2 cup heavy cream
**Instructions:**
1. **Soak the Oats:** In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats and boiling water. Stir well and let stand for 20-30 minutes, or until the oats have absorbed most of the water and cooled slightly.
2. **Preheat and Prepare:** Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
3. **Cream Butter and Sugars:** In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
4. **Add Eggs and Vanilla:** Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
5. **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
6. **Alternate Wet and Dry Ingredients:** Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, alternating with the soaked oats. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. If using sour cream or yogurt, add it with the oats. Mix until just combined.
7. **Pour into Pan:** Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly.
8. **Bake:** Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. **Cool:** Let the cake cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
10. **Make Chocolate Ganache (Optional):** While the cake is cooling, prepare the chocolate ganache. Place the chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl. Heat the heavy cream in a saucepan over medium heat until it just begins to simmer. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate chips and let it sit for 1 minute. Then, whisk until smooth and glossy.
11. **Glaze the Cake (Optional):** Once the cake is completely cooled, drizzle the chocolate ganache over the top. Let the ganache set for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
## Tips for Baking the Perfect Oatmeal Cake
* **Use Rolled Oats:** Always use rolled oats (also known as old-fashioned oats) for oatmeal cake. Instant oats will not work as well, as they are too finely processed and will result in a different texture.
* **Don’t Overmix:** Overmixing the batter can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough cake. Mix until just combined.
* **Use Room Temperature Ingredients:** Using room temperature butter and eggs helps to create a smoother batter and a more tender cake.
* **Grease and Flour the Pan:** Properly greasing and flouring the baking pan is essential to prevent the cake from sticking. You can also use baking spray with flour.
* **Check for Doneness:** Start checking for doneness a few minutes before the recommended baking time. A wooden skewer inserted into the center of the cake should come out clean.
* **Cool Completely Before Glazing:** Make sure the cake is completely cooled before glazing or frosting it. Otherwise, the glaze or frosting will melt.
## Serving Suggestions
Oatmeal cake is delicious on its own, but it can also be enhanced with various toppings and accompaniments:
* **Whipped Cream:** A dollop of whipped cream adds a light and airy touch.
* **Ice Cream:** Serve warm oatmeal cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a classic dessert pairing.
* **Fruit Compote:** Top with a homemade fruit compote, such as berry compote or apple compote.
* **Caramel Sauce:** Drizzle with caramel sauce for a decadent treat.
* **Powdered Sugar:** A simple dusting of powdered sugar adds a touch of elegance.
## Storing Oatmeal Cake
Oatmeal cake can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate it for up to a week. You can also freeze oatmeal cake for up to 2 months. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil before freezing.
## Oatmeal Cake: A Timeless Classic
Oatmeal cake is more than just a cake; it’s a comforting classic that has stood the test of time. Its moist texture, subtle flavor, and versatility make it a perfect choice for any occasion. Whether you’re baking it for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, oatmeal cake is sure to delight your taste buds and become a new family favorite. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to experience the joy of baking and enjoying a delicious oatmeal cake!
With its ease of preparation and endless possibilities for customization, the oatmeal cake is a recipe you’ll want to keep close at hand. Experiment with different flavors, add-ins, and toppings to create your own signature version. Happy baking!