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    Home » Recipes » Dessert » Cakes

    Oatmeal Cake with Caramel Icing

    Published by Melissa on June 27, 2022 | Updated June 28, 2022 | 35 Comments

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    This Oatmeal Cake with Caramel Icing is an old-fashioned, super easy cake for brunch or dessert with soft raisins and crunchy pecans in every bite. 

    slice of oatmeal cake with caramel icing

    ❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe:  This is an easy make-ahead recipe with a very simple frosting and hearty, warming flavor that everyone loves. 

    Update: I love making this oatmeal cake with nuts and raisins for family and friends. So I’ve updated the recipe with new tips and photos to help you make it too. 

    pinterest button for oatmeal cake

    How to Make Oatmeal Cake

    Before you start making this cake, make sure all your ingredients are room temperature. This will help your batter blend smoothly and uniformly. 

    Reminder: The oats need to be soaked ahead of time!

    In addition, you’ll also want to toast the pecans ahead of time. They should be fully cool before you add them to the batter. 

    ingredients and mixing batter for oatmeal cake

    I like to use a slotted spoon to add the oatmeal to the cake batter. This allows any liquid that did not get absorbed by the oats to remain in the bowl. Too much extra liquid will water down your batter.

    Once you have poured your batter into the prepared pan, check for any raisin clumps. Raisins tend to stick together. Just break up any clumps and scatter the raisins around as needed.

    mixing icing for oatmeal cake

    Caramel Icing Tips 

    The beauty of this icing is how easy it is to make. One word of caution though: anytime you are heating sugar, always keep stirring the entire time. Sugar likes to stick to the bottom of the pot and burn. 

    Once you add the powdered sugar to the hot brown sugar mixture, whisk well to remove any powdered sugar clumps. 

    frosting oatmeal cake with nuts and raisins

    Decorating Oatmeal Cake

    Once your cake is fully cooled and your frosting is ready to go, you can ice and decorate the cake. 

    Remember that the icing is hot when you pour it over the cake, so be careful. If necessary, move icing into the corners or around the surface with a spatula to make sure the whole cake is covered. 

    Note that the icing will start to set quickly, so move at a good pace if you need to use a spatula to spread the icing.

    Once the icing is poured over the cake, sprinkle it with the remaining pecans. The icing will still be soft and warm and the pecans will stick to the icing.

    overhead of slices of pecan and oatmeal cake

    Serving Suggestions

    Before slicing and serving your oatmeal cake, let the decorated cake cool in the refrigerator. This will allow the icing to set completely. Once set, you should be able to swipe your finger across it gently and it will be sealed and smooth.

    Storing Leftover Cake 

    Any leftover oatmeal cake can be stored covered in plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to three days. 

    toasting pecans for cake

    More Easy Cake Recipes

    Here are more of our favorite cake recipes for celebrations:

    • Corner Bakery Cinnamon Creme Coffee Cake is a copycat version of our favorite bakery-style coffee cake. 
    • Hershey’s Perfectly Chocolate Cake is a classic birthday cake for chocolate lovers.
    • Layered Strawberry Cheesecake from Pressure Cooking Today is a pretty pink cheesecake made in an Instant Pot. 
    caramel being poured on the first layer baked of the oatmeal cake
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
    4.67 from 6 votes

    Oatmeal Cake with Caramel Icing

    This oatmeal cake with caramel icing is a pretty, dense and easy cake perfect for brunch or dessert. 
    Cook Time1 hour hr
    Total Time1 hour hr
    Course: Cakes
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: baking, Breakfast, Dessert
    Servings: 12 -16 servings
    Calories: 523kcal
    Author: Barbara Schieving
    Prevent your screen from going to sleep

    Equipment

    • Anchor Hocking 2 Quart Glass Batter Bowl With Lid (81106L11)
    • 1Easylife 18/8 Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons, Set of 6 for Measuring Dry and Liquid Ingredients
    • Nordic Ware Formed Bundt Pan, 6-Cup, Navy

    Ingredients

    Cake

    • 1 cup chopped pecans toasted*
    • 1 ⅓ cups boiling water
    • 1 cup quick-cooking oats
    • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ⅓ teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • ¾ cup granulated sugar
    • ¾ cup packed brown sugar
    • ½ cup 1 stick butter, softened
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • 3 large eggs
    • ½ cup sour cream I used low fat
    • ¾ cup raisins

    Caramel Icing

    • ¼ cup 4 tablespoons butter
    • ½ cup brown sugar
    • ⅔ cup whipping cream
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350°.
    • Toast pecans. Combine boiling water and oats in a medium bowl. Set aside to cool, about 20 minutes.
    • Grease and flour a 9 x 13 cake pan. (Or use non-stick spray with flour.) (You can also bake the cake in half size or full-size bundt pans.)
    • In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg. Set aside.
    • In a large mixing bowl, beat granulated sugar, brown sugar, butter, and vanilla at medium speed for 5 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add oatmeal, and beat until blended. Add sour cream and mix on low until blended. Add flour mixture and mix until well combined. Stir in raisins and ¾ cup chopped pecans. (¼ cup is reserved for decorating the top of the cake.)
    • Pour the mixture into the prepared pan(s). Bake about 40 minutes (half size Bundt for 35 minutes; full-size Bundt for 50-60 minutes) until a toothpick comes out clean.
    • Let cool completely before making the icing.
    • Caramel Icing
    • In a small saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar and cream. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Cook 3 minutes; stirring constantly. Remove from heat and gradually whisk in powder sugar and vanilla. Whisk until smooth adding more cream or powdered sugar as needed to make a thin icing. (Icing will thicken as it cools.)
    • Drizzle the hot icing on top of the cake. Sprinkle with remaining ¼ cup chopped pecans. Store the cake loosely covered in refrigerator.

    Notes

    *To toast pecans: In a small heavy skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add pecans; cook over medium heat until toasted, about 4 minutes. Set aside to cool.
    High altitude adjustment: Increase oven to 375º. Reduce granulated and brown sugar to ⅔ cup. Bake for 30 minutes.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 523kcal | Carbohydrates: 86g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 271mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 62g

    This Oatmeal Cake with Caramel Icing is an old-fashioned, super easy cake for brunch or dessert with soft raisins and crunchy pecans in every bite. 

    slice of oatmeal cake with caramel icing

    ❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe:  This is an easy make-ahead recipe with a very simple frosting and hearty, warming flavor that everyone loves. Sort of like a cross between an oatmeal cookie with the texture of a carrot cake. 

    Update: I love making this oatmeal cake with nuts and raisins for family and friends. So I’ve updated the recipe with new tips and photos to help you make it too. 

    pinterest button for oatmeal cake

    How to Make Oatmeal Cake

    Before you start making this cake, make sure all your ingredients are room temperature. This will help your batter blend smoothly and uniformly. 

    Reminder: The oats need to be soaked ahead of time!

    In addition, you’ll also want to toast the pecans ahead of time. They should be fully cool before you add them to the batter. 

    ingredients and mixing batter for oatmeal cake

    I like to use a slotted spoon to add the oatmeal to the cake batter. This allows any liquid that did not get absorbed by the oats to remain in the bowl. Too much extra liquid will water down your batter.

    Once you have poured your batter into the prepared pan, check for any raisin clumps. Raisins tend to stick together. Just break up any clumps and scatter the raisins around as needed.

    mixing icing for oatmeal cake

    Caramel Icing Tips 

    The beauty of this icing is how easy it is to make. One word of caution though: anytime you are heating sugar, always keep stirring the entire time. Sugar likes to stick to the bottom of the pot and burn. 

    Once you add the powdered sugar to the hot brown sugar mixture, whisk well to remove any powdered sugar clumps. 

    frosting oatmeal cake with nuts and raisins

    Decorating Oatmeal Cake

    Once your cake is fully cooled and your frosting is ready to go, you can ice and decorate the cake. 

    Remember that the icing is hot when you pour it over the cake, so be careful. If necessary, move icing into the corners or around the surface with a spatula to make sure the whole cake is covered. 

    Note that the icing will start to set quickly, so move at a good pace if you need to use a spatula to spread the icing.

    Once the icing is poured over the cake, sprinkle it with the remaining pecans. The icing will still be soft and warm and the pecans will stick to the icing.

    overhead of slices of pecan and oatmeal cake

    Serving Suggestions

    Before slicing and serving your oatmeal cake, let the decorated cake cool in the refrigerator. This will allow the icing to set completely. Once set, you should be able to swipe your finger across it gently and it will be sealed and smooth.

    Storing Leftover Cake 

    Any leftover oatmeal cake can be stored covered in plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to three days. 

    toasting pecans for cake

    More Easy Cake Recipes

    Here are more of our favorite cake recipes for celebrations:

    • Corner Bakery Cinnamon Creme Coffee Cake is a copycat version of our favorite bakery-style coffee cake. 
    • Hershey’s Perfectly Chocolate Cake is a classic birthday cake for chocolate lovers.
    • Layered Strawberry Cheesecake from Pressure Cooking Today is a pretty pink cheesecake made in an Instant Pot. 
    caramel being poured on the first layer baked of the oatmeal cake
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
    4.67 from 6 votes

    Oatmeal Cake with Caramel Icing

    This oatmeal cake with caramel icing is a pretty, dense and easy cake perfect for brunch or dessert. 
    Cook Time1 hour hr
    Total Time1 hour hr
    Course: Cakes
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: baking, Breakfast, Dessert
    Servings: 12 -16 servings
    Calories: 523kcal
    Author: Barbara Schieving
    Prevent your screen from going to sleep

    Equipment

    • Anchor Hocking 2 Quart Glass Batter Bowl With Lid (81106L11)
    • 1Easylife 18/8 Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons, Set of 6 for Measuring Dry and Liquid Ingredients
    • Nordic Ware Formed Bundt Pan, 6-Cup, Navy

    Ingredients

    Cake

    • 1 cup chopped pecans toasted*
    • 1 ⅓ cups boiling water
    • 1 cup quick-cooking oats
    • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ⅓ teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • ¾ cup granulated sugar
    • ¾ cup packed brown sugar
    • ½ cup 1 stick butter, softened
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • 3 large eggs
    • ½ cup sour cream I used low fat
    • ¾ cup raisins

    Caramel Icing

    • ¼ cup 4 tablespoons butter
    • ½ cup brown sugar
    • ⅔ cup whipping cream
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350°.
    • Toast pecans. Combine boiling water and oats in a medium bowl. Set aside to cool, about 20 minutes.
    • Grease and flour a 9 x 13 cake pan. (Or use non-stick spray with flour.) (You can also bake the cake in half size or full-size bundt pans.)
    • In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg. Set aside.
    • In a large mixing bowl, beat granulated sugar, brown sugar, butter, and vanilla at medium speed for 5 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add oatmeal, and beat until blended. Add sour cream and mix on low until blended. Add flour mixture and mix until well combined. Stir in raisins and ¾ cup chopped pecans. (¼ cup is reserved for decorating the top of the cake.)
    • Pour the mixture into the prepared pan(s). Bake about 40 minutes (half size Bundt for 35 minutes; full-size Bundt for 50-60 minutes) until a toothpick comes out clean.
    • Let cool completely before making the icing.
    • Caramel Icing
    • In a small saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar and cream. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Cook 3 minutes; stirring constantly. Remove from heat and gradually whisk in powder sugar and vanilla. Whisk until smooth adding more cream or powdered sugar as needed to make a thin icing. (Icing will thicken as it cools.)
    • Drizzle the hot icing on top of the cake. Sprinkle with remaining ¼ cup chopped pecans. Store the cake loosely covered in refrigerator.

    Notes

    *To toast pecans: In a small heavy skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add pecans; cook over medium heat until toasted, about 4 minutes. Set aside to cool.
    High altitude adjustment: Increase oven to 375º. Reduce granulated and brown sugar to ⅔ cup. Bake for 30 minutes.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 523kcal | Carbohydrates: 86g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 271mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 62g
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    about us

    About Melissa & Barbara

    As of June 2022 Melissa Griffiths now is the one adding recipes. So think of it as Barbara Bakes, and Melissa too! Melissa and Barbara have been blogging friends for over 10 years and when Barbara was ready to retire and spend more time with her family, Melissa took over the site. Read more...

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Angie | Big Bear's Wife

      September 04, 2013 at 10:27 am

      I love the caramel icing on that cake! I’d eat that with a spoon haha

      Reply
    2. Pam

      September 04, 2013 at 9:33 am

      Wow! It looks stunning and so delicious too.

      Reply
    3. Mique

      September 04, 2013 at 9:06 am

      Yuuuuummmmm. This looks so delicious! Can’t wait to make it.

      Reply
    4. Angie@Angie's Recipes

      September 03, 2013 at 10:24 pm

      A very autumny and beautiful bundt!

      Reply
    5. Laura Dembowski

      September 03, 2013 at 8:16 pm

      This cake looks incredible and sounds so comforting! Oatmeal cakes are always so moist and the frosting looks to die for!

      Reply
    6. natalie@thesweetslife

      September 03, 2013 at 8:02 pm

      I’m thinking I want to make this and top it with cream cheese frosting 🙂

      Reply
    7. Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella

      September 03, 2013 at 7:53 pm

      Hi mum! I just did a clean up of old magazine clippings 🙂 I love the icing pattern on top. Thank you too for your motherly advice re my trip too 😀 xxx

      Reply
    8. Anna and Liz Recipes

      September 03, 2013 at 7:10 pm

      Barbara you can’t go wrong with any chocolate cakes and the fact it has oatmeal in it and you can eat it for breakfast is fantastic! My family would love this! Thanks for the recipe 🙂

      Reply
    9. stephanie

      September 03, 2013 at 6:16 pm

      I never knew a 9-inch two-layer cake recipe would work as one bundt or two mini bundts. Thank you!!

      Reply
    10. Emily

      September 03, 2013 at 4:51 pm

      Mmmmmmmmm……..

      Reply
    11. Claire @ Claire K Creations

      September 03, 2013 at 4:50 pm

      Barbara I am always envious of your bundt cakes. They always look so wonderful and tempting. I’m adding bundt tin to my Christmas list right now!

      Reply
      • Barbara Schieving

        September 03, 2013 at 5:01 pm

        Great idea! You’ll love it. Thanks!

        Reply
    12. Letty Flatt

      September 03, 2013 at 4:39 pm

      I am so much a recipe clipper and saver too. One day I would like to organize them all. And make them all. And all of the recipes in my cookbooks!.
      I keep a bag of dry buttermilk powder in the pantry for just those times when I need buttermilk for a recipe. Sour cream–I don’t have on hand very often–only after a Mexican dinner party!

      Reply
      • Barbara Schieving

        September 03, 2013 at 5:03 pm

        I need to get some buttermilk powder for the pantry. That’s a great idea. I usually use light sour cream, but I like it on so much more than Mexican 🙂

        Reply
    13. Cindy

      September 03, 2013 at 3:15 pm

      Your post makes me hopeful that fall is on its way. Yeah! I can’t wait to bake on cooler days. Beautiful photos!

      Reply
    14. Kitchen Belleicious

      September 03, 2013 at 1:48 pm

      i have never put oatmeal in my cake before? What a fabulous idea. I can see how it brings a great texture to the cake and chewniness!

      Reply
    15. Carol

      September 03, 2013 at 10:08 am

      Boy do I EVER clip recipes from magazines and newspapers….I have multiple binders full and 3 folders more stuffed full to trim and tape into the binders. I’ll never live long enough to try every one of them that’s for sure. I just love sitting looking through these collections.

      And I love that you shared one of your favorites. That cake looks so good…perfect for cool fall weather.

      Thanks so much!

      Carol

      Reply
    16. Rocky Mountain Woman

      September 03, 2013 at 8:55 am

      perfect! I have a huge red binder of recipes and wine pairings to try – it gets bigger every month when my magazines arrive!

      excited for fall baking! it’s actually getting cool enough to think about it…

      Reply
    17. Natalie

      September 03, 2013 at 8:19 am

      This looks wonderful, such a perfect cake.

      Reply
    18. Rosa Mayland

      September 03, 2013 at 8:01 am

      Heavenly! That is such a wonderful combination. Very autumn-like.

      Cheers,

      Rosa

      Reply
    19. Maureen | Orgasmic Chef

      September 03, 2013 at 7:35 am

      Barbara, that cake is stunning!! It just looks “Autumn”, doesn’t it? Well done!

      Reply
    20. Tieghan

      September 03, 2013 at 7:00 am

      This is gorgeous, Barbara! I love ho fall like this and that caramel icing sounds and looks incredible! Mmm! So excited to start fall baking!

      Reply
    Newer Comments »

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