Oatmeal Cake with Broiled Cinnamon Frosting

Oatmeal Mixture

• 1 cup old-fashioned oats
• 1 ¼ cups boiling water — boiling

Dry Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¾ teaspoon cinnamon — ground
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg — ground

Wet Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter — softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar — packed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs — room temperature

Broiled Cinnamon Frosting

• ¼ cup unsalted butter — melted
• ½ cup brown sugar — packed
• ¾ cup sweetened shredded coconut
• 3 tablespoons heavy cream or whole milk — or whole milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon — ground

1. Soften the Oats: Place the oats in a small heatproof bowl. Pour the boiling water over the oats, stir, cover, and let stand for 20 minutes. Uncover, stir again, and let cool until the mixture is warm but no longer hot.1¼ cups boiling water, 1 cup old-fashioned oats
2. Prepare the Oven and Pan: Arrange one oven rack in the center and a second rack 4–6 inches below the broiler. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9-inch square pan that is approved by the manufacturer for broiler use.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg for about 30 seconds, until evenly distributed.1½ cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt, ¾ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
4. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use a hand or stand mixer on medium speed to beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar for 3–4 minutes, scraping the bowl once, until the mixture is lightened, creamy, and slightly aerated. It will remain somewhat grainy.½ cup butter, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 cup brown sugar
5. Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the vanilla. Add the eggs one at a time, beating for about 30 seconds after each addition and scraping the bowl as needed. Mix in the warm oatmeal mixture on low speed until evenly combined.1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 2 eggs, softened oatmeal mixture
6. Finish the Batter: Add the dry ingredients in two additions, mixing on low speed only until no dry streaks remain. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl, then fold the batter once or twice with a rubber spatula. Do not overmix.
7. Bake: Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake on the center rack for 50–55 minutes, until the surface is golden, the center springs back lightly when touched, and a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter. Transfer the pan to a cooling rack.
8. Prepare the Frosting: While the cake rests, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, coconut, cream or milk, vanilla extract, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Stir until the coconut is evenly moistened and the frosting is spreadable.¼ cup butter, ½ cup brown sugar, ¾ cup coconut, 3 tablespoons cream or milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon cinnamon
9. Broil the Frosting: Let the cake cool for 10 minutes, then turn on the broiler. Gently spread the frosting over the warm cake. Transfer the pan to the upper rack and broil for 1–3 minutes, until the topping bubbles across the surface and the coconut is light golden. Watch continuously and remove the cake immediately if any area begins to darken rapidly.
10. Cool and Serve: Return the pan to the cooling rack and let the cake cool for 15–20 minutes before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature.