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Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cake

One slice of oatmeal cake with cream cheese frosting on a white plate with blue trim with a partial view of a 2nd piece of oatmeal cake in the upper left corner. On the right is a partial view of a glass of milk.

Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cake

BY: Michele
PUBLISHED: Aug 3, 2022
5 Reviews / 5 Average
Featured Comment
Great oatmeal cake recipe! It was sooo delicious! Thanks for the recipe!
Gus
4 More Comments
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OATMEAL CAKE Recipe 1- Close Up Photo Red Label Pin
2-Photo Pin of Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cake
2-photo pin Oatmeal Cake with blue label and white text

You’ll love this old-fashioned oatmeal cake because it tastes like an oatmeal creme cookie that was transformed into a cake.

Rolled oats enhance the texture of the traditional cake, and when combined with a luscious cream cheese frosting on top of the cake, it is irresistible.

Close up of one serving of oatmeal cake with cream cheese frosting on a white plate with blue trip sitting on a blue and white striped napkin with oats scattered around, the handle of a gold fork in the bottom right, a partial view of cinnamon sticks on the bottom left, a partial view of a glass of milk in the top right and a partial view (blurred) of another piece of cake on a small round white plate with blue trim.

If this reminds you of your grandma’s oatmeal cake, then you’re right. Give this moist oatmeal cake recipe a try as I’m sure it will become one of your favorite cakes, as well as become a family favorite.

Jump to:
  • Why You’ll Love This Recipe
  • Why This Recipe Works
  • What You’ll Need To Make This Recipe
  • Equipment
  • Ingredients
  • How To Make Oatmeal Cake
  • How To Make Cream Cheese Frosting
  • Recipe Tips
  • Variations
  • What To Serve With Oatmeal Cake
  • FAQs
  • More Cake Recipes
  • Recipe
  • ⭐ Reviews
Overhead view of a white plate with a single serving of oatmeal cake with cream cheese frosting on top of a white napkin with blue strips and a gold fork on the right, a glass of milk in the upper right corner, a partial view of another plate with a serving of cake and cinnamon sticks tied with a small rope on the bottom left.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Flavor. You’ll love the flavor of this oatmeal cinnamon cake, especially with the sweet cream cheese frosting.
  • Texture. The rolled oats give this cake a little more of a chewy texture than a regular cake.
  • Easy to Make. It is very easy to make this cake and you likely have all the ingredients in your pantry or fridge; and, if not, then all the ingredients are readily available at most grocery stores.
  • Budget-Friendly. This cake is inexpensive to make and helps stretch your food dollars.

Why This Recipe Works

  • Tried and True. This recipe is well-tested and so you can trust it to turn out for you.
  • Recipe Tips. To help ensure success, I’ve included recipe tips to avoid potential issues.
  • Customization. I’ve included some ideas for variations of this recipe to help you personalize it to your taste.
  • FAQs. Get your questions answered before you ask. I have included some answers to frequently asked questions so you have all the information you need to make this recipe.
A white plate with blue trim with a single serving of oatmeal cake with white frosting with a bite taken out of it and a glass of milk next to it on top of a blue and white napkin. A fork with the bite of cake is on the left side of the cake on the plate. Cinnamon sticks are tied with a small rope on the bottom right. Oats are scattered around the napkin.

What You’ll Need To Make This Recipe

Equipment

The affiliate links below will allow you to see the product on Amazon.com. If you purchase one of the items, I will receive a very small commission on the product, which does not increase the price.

  • Stand Mixer
  • Mixing Bowls
  • Cake Pan

Ingredients

Below I discuss the ingredients and possible substitutions in case you don’t have a specific ingredient. However, if you are looking for the specific measurements of each ingredient, be sure to scroll down to the bottom of this article, just above the comments, for the printable recipe card, which includes all the ingredients and the specific amounts of each one.

Overhead view of ingredients for oatmeal cake in individual bowls on white tile background.
  • Old fashioned Rolled Oats – You can also use quick oats. However, it will change the texture of the cake. On the other hand, it will shorten the amount of soaking time.
  • Boiling Water
  • All-purpose flour – You can use whole wheat flour or white whole wheat flour if you prefer.
  • Baking soda – Be sure to check the date on the baking soda to make sure it is still fresh.
  • Baking powder – Like the baking soda, please check the date on the baking powder before making the recipe to make sure it is still fresh. If it is not, then the cake may not rice.
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Sea salt
  • Granulated sugar
  • Light brown sugar
  • Unsalted butter
  • Eggs
  • Vanilla extract – I recommend using pure vanilla instead of imitation vanilla for the best flavor.

How To Make Oatmeal Cake

Add the oatmeal into a medium-sized heat-proof bowl. Pour boiling water over the oats and let the oatmeal mixture sit for about 90 minutes or until it comes down to room temperature.

Overhead view of a glass bowl with rolled oats added on the left and on the right is the glass bowl with the boiling water covering the oats.

Stir together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a medium-sized bowl and set aside.

Overhead view of bowl with flour cinnamon baking soda and baking powder on the left that has net yet been stirred, and on the right is a photo of the same ingredients after they have been mixed together.
  1. Add the sugar, brown sugar, and butter into a large bowl.
  2. Mix until combined with an electric hand mixer.
  3. Add the cooled oatmeal.
  4. Mix until combined.
  5. Add the eggs and vanilla.
  6. Mix until combined, and then scrape down the sides.
6-photo collage of the steps of how to make oatmeal cake.

Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Stir it in just until combined.

2-you photo collage with the picture on the left showing flour added to the batter, and the photo on the right shows the batter after it has been mixed together.

Pour the batter into a 9×13 cake pan and bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Remove from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool.

Horizontal photo of overhead view of an oatmeal cake after it has been baked and is sitting on a wire rack to cool. It is sitting on a white tile surface.

How To Make Cream Cheese Frosting

  1. Make the frosting by placing the cream cheese and the butter in a large bowl.
  2. Whip the cream cheese and butter with an electric hand mixer until smooth.
  3. Add in the powdered sugar a little at a time.
  4. Mix until fully combined.
  5. Add the vanilla and cinnamon and mix it in.
  6. Whip for 2 minutes until light and fluffy.
6-photo collage with each photo showing one step in the process for how to make cinnamon cream cheese frosting for oatmeal cake.

After the cake has cooled to room temperature, spread the cinnamon cream cheese frosting evenly over the top of the oatmeal cake.

A photo of a frosted oatmeal cake in a cake pan with two slices of cake removed so you cans the texture of the cake.

Recipe Tips

  • Soaking Oats. Sorry, soaking the oats in boiling water before making the cake is required to get the right texture. However, if you use quick oats instead of rolled oats, then you will only need to soak in the boiling water for about 15 minutes.
  • Quick Oats. Yes, you can use quick oats instead of rolled oats. However, it will give the cake a different texture. See above about soaking the quick oats.
  • Room Temperature. For the most moist cake, serve the cake at room temperature.
  • Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting. If you prefer traditional cream cheese frosting, then you can leave out the cinnamon.
A side view of 2 servings of cake, each on a small white plate with blue trim, with a fork and a glass of milk next to the first serving. A tied up roll of a group of cinnamon sticks to the left, on a wood background with oats scattered about and a partial view of the cake pan with the rest of the cake in the back upper right corner of the photo.

Variations

  • Apple Oatmeal Cake – Add 2 cups of chopped Granny Smith apples to the cake batter.
  • Banana Oatmeal Cake – Add 1 mashed banana to replace the butter in the cake batter.
  • Chocolate Oatmeal Cake – Reduce the all-purpose flour to 1 cup and add 1/3 cup cocoa.
  • Microwave Oatmeal Cake – Instead of baking, microwave the oatmeal cake uncovered at 50% for 6 minutes and then microwave on high for 6 minutes.
Overhead view of 2 servings of frosted oatmeal cake, each on a small white plate with blue trim on a white napkin with blue stripes with a glass of milk to the upper right of the first plate with a gol d fork next to the plate and a tied up roll of a group of cinnamon sticks on the lower left. Rolled oats are scattered about on a wood surface and a partial view of the corner of the cake pan in the top right corner of the photo.

What To Serve With Oatmeal Cake

Serve this delicious oatmeal cake for dessert or an afternoon snack with a big glass of milk.

FAQs

Can I Make This Recipe In Advance?

Yes. You can make this oatmeal cake up to 3 days in advance. However, I recommend leaving the cake unfrosted until the day you are going to serve the cake.

How Do I Store This Cake?

Store this cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I recommend that you remove the cake from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before serving to allow it to come up to room temperature.

White plates with single servings of oatmeal cake with white frosting and a glass of milk next to it on top of a blue and white napkin.

More Cake Recipes

  • Cinnamon Roll Cake
  • Coconut Fudge Swirl Cake
  • Pumpkin Sheet Cake

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Recipe

One slice of oatmeal cake with cream cheese frosting on a white plate with blue trim with a partial view of a 2nd piece of oatmeal cake in the upper left corner. On the right is a partial view of a glass of milk.
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5 from 5 votes

Oatmeal Cake

This old fashioned Oatmeal Cake is so moist and delicious that it will remind you of Grandma's oatmeal cake. This one has a cinnamon cream cheese frosting too!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword oatmeal cake, old fashioned oatmeal cake
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Cool: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 25 minutes
Servings 15
Calories 347kcal
Author Michele @ Flavor Mosaic

Ingredients

Oatmeal Cake

  • 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
  • 1-1/2 cups boiling water
  • 1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 pinch of fine sea salt
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup light brown sugar (packed)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
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Instructions 

  • Add the rolled oats into a medium-sized heat-proof bowl. Pour boiling water over the oats and let the oatmeal mixture sit for approximately 90 minutes or until it comes to room temperature.
    1 cup old fashioned rolled oats, 1-1/2 cups boiling water
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with baking spray, set aside.
  • In a medium-sized bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt, and then set aside.
    1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 pinch of fine sea salt
  • In a separate large bowl add sugar, brown sugar, and butter and mix until combined with an electric hand mixer.
    3/4 cup granulated sugar, 3/4 cup light brown sugar, 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • Add the cooled oatmeal mixture to the flour mixture and mix until combined. Then add the eggs and vanilla and mix until combined. Then scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the flour mixture to the butter and sugar mixture and stir until just combined.
    2 large eggs, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • Pour the cake batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth out the top. Bake the cake for about 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. When finished baking, carefully remove the cake from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool completely.
  • While the cake is cooling, make the cream cheese frosting by adding the cream cheese and butter in a large bowl and, using an electric hand mixer, whip the two together until the mixture is smooth. Add in the powdered sugar a little at a time until fully combined. Add the vanilla and cinnamon and mix them in, whip for 2 minutes until the frosting is light and fluffy.
    8 ounces cream cheese, 1/2 cup unsalted butter, 2 cups powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Once the cake is cooled completely, spread the cinnamon cream cheese frosting evenly over the top of the cake and serve.

Video

Notes

  • Make Ahead. Yes, you can make this oatmeal cake up to 3 days in advance. However, I recommend leaving the cake unfrosted until the day you are going to serve the cake.
  • Storing Cake. Store this cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I recommend that you remove the cake from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before serving to allow it to come up to room temperature.
  • Soaking Oats. Sorry, soaking the oats in boiling water before making the cake is required to get the right texture. However, if you use quick oats instead of rolled oats, then you will only need to soak in the boiling water for about 15 minutes.
  • Quick Oats. Yes, you can use quick oats instead of rolled oats. However, it will give the cake a different texture. See above about soaking the quick oats.
  • Room Temperature. For the most moist cake, serve the cake at room temperature.
  • Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting. If you prefer traditional cream cheese frosting, then you can leave out the cinnamon.

Nutrition

Calories: 347kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 139mg | Potassium: 86mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 37g | Vitamin A: 618IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 1mg

Filed Under: Cakes, Desserts, Fall Recipes Tagged With: breakfast?, dessert, healthy

DISCLOSURE: Flavor Mosaic is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. Please note: This blog may contain affiliate links to products I use and love. I earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you, to help with blog expenses when you make a purchase through an affiliate link. Thank you for your support!

Reader Interactions

Michele F - Owner / Founder / Creator / Blogger at Flavor Mosaic
Michele

Hi, I’m Michele Feuerborn, wife, and dog Mom, with 20+ years experience as a home cook. I’m the Founder of Flavor Mosaic, as well as the author, recipe developer, and photographer. I share fast, easy, flavorful recipes with bold flavors, featuring Instant Pot recipes and Southern and Mexican cuisines.

Comments

  1. Dana says

    August 3, 2022 at 11:05 am

    Oatmeal cake! I’m into cake for breakfast 😉 This was delicious!

    Reply
  2. Sue says

    August 3, 2022 at 12:34 pm

    The texture of this cake looks PERFECT!

    Reply
  3. Gus says

    August 3, 2022 at 1:12 pm

    Great oatmeal cake recipe! It was sooo delicious! Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
  4. Heather says

    August 3, 2022 at 1:40 pm

    Oatmeal cream pie in cake form?! Sign. Me. UP! This cakes looks wonderfully delicious especially with that cream cheese frosting on top.

    Reply
  5. Beth says

    August 3, 2022 at 1:42 pm

    I can never say no to a cream cheese frosting! This cake is utterly delicious.

    Reply

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Hi, I’m Michele, a home cook with 20+ years experience. I created Flavor Mosaic as a place to share our favorite fast, easy, and flavorful creative recipes with bold flavors, including Southern, Mexican, Tex-Mex, and Instant Pot recipes. Read More…

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