Sunday, November 28, 2010

Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cake


Sometimes we discard recipes.. or cookbooks. They're not so fashionable anymore, we are tired of them, maybe they are not considered healthy by today's standards.
I almost threw out an old cookbook that someone had given me years ago. It was a church cookbook. You know the type... a fundraiser cookbook.
Mind you, I am a collector of cookbooks and to say I may have 300+... well,
I simply cannot bring myself to confess how many I truly have. This sort of
cookbook is my favorite. It's more down to earth, home style cooking, not so gourmet if you know what I mean.


I decided at the last minute that this cookbook deserved a second chance so I took it to our deer lease. It is usually the only place where I make dessert. There is always such a willing and eager audience of hungry hunters out there. Frankly, they'll eat anything!


So I was looking for something to make out there and quickly found this recipe called "Oatmeal Cake". Sounded interesting and I had all of the ingredients... except for margarine which I do not use. Buttah is bettah! Right? So, okay... I have it all ready to go in the oven when I realized there was no temperature nor baking time for this recipe. Remember it is a hands-on church cookbook. Proofing was not on the priority list I guess. But, oh well... I put it in a 325 degree oven for about 25 minutes and it came out great. I think it is one of the most delicious cakes I've ever eaten. And with oatmeal in it... well, it's almost a health food, right??


It was a total hit! Give it a try when you need a bit of "health food".

Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cake
1 1/4 c. boiling water
1 c. quick-cooking oatmeal
1 stick of butter

Place oatmeal in a medium size mixing bowl and add butter. Pour boiling water over this and allow to stand about 20 minutes. (I only gave it about 10 and it was fine.)

In larger bowl mix together:
1 c. sugar
1 c. brown sugar
1 1/4 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Add to the oatmeal mixture when somewhat cooled...
2 eggs, beaten
2 tsp. vanilla

Combine flour mixture with the oatmeal mixture and stir.

Pour into a "Pam'd" oblong baking dish
Bake at 325 degrees for about 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center.

In a saucepan on low heat:
1 stick of butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. sugar
1 c. coconut
1 c. chopped pecans

Pour over cake when straight from the oven and hot.

Serve on a cold winter's night, by the fire with hot spice tea! Guaranteed to warm your cockles.
(Does anyone know what "cockles" are?)


15 comments:

Deb said...

looks yummy....and that is funny...my Nana's family did a cook book after she passed away..some of the recipes have a dash of this...a smidgen of that...throws the young girls way off...LOL

Unknown said...

Oh, my Karen...this sounds wonderful! I too will not actually admit to how many cookbooks I actually own...although I will say I love them all :)

Buttah is bettah!

Blessings!
Gail

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great recipe to me!!! Enjoyed lunch today,
JB

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Karen, this sounds so good. (I laughed at your remark about the hunters thinking anything tastes good -- so true!). I'm going to try this "health food" recipe. Thanks. laurie

Rita said...

I googled "cockles" and found it was a saltwater clam or a pucker as in a girl puckering her lips. So I guess we will pucker up our lips and try your wonderful sounding recipe. My mother-in-law taught me to cook and when I would ask her how much of something, she would always answer me "a pinch or a tad". I've picked up her ways! Ha! Thanks for the recipe. The "old timey" recipe books are always good! I'm certainly going to try this one. Sounds real good.

Theresa said...

I have no clue about "Cockles" but the cake sounds delicious! I don't like oatmeal but love oatmeal cookies:) I know, I am weird! Enjoy your Monday my friend! Hope it will be a good one where you live! HUGS!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

This is one of my favorite cakes...and I made it when my son and his family visited this summer! I did use less sugar though and it came out just as good! It's definitely on my list of comfort foods! ♥

Colleen - the AmAzINg Mrs. B said...

Oh this sounds wonderful! And oatmeal? It HAS to be healthy :-)

Yep, this is a snowy-day comfort food for sure!

designchic said...

Yum...this looks delish!!

Apron Senorita said...

Sound delicious. I love oatmeal.

I can't imagine 300+ cookbooks in one place. Where do you keep them?

I'm stumped, what are "cockles"?

yoli :)
Apron Senorita

Nancy's Notes said...

What a great and yummy sounding recipe! Glad you gave that cookbook a second chance. I agree buttah is better!

Hugs,
Nancy

Farah said...

I love old fashioned things.... hello Karen... I really enjoyed reading your About Me... so true and simple soul...
Your cake sound very tasty... may be I try soon...
Can you please spare a little bit of your time for my new post, its something different I hope you enjoyed
http://craftaworld.blogspot.com/
Love
Farah

Carrie @ Cottage Cozy said...

I need a cake for Thursday night~ thanks for this recipe!

Breezy said...

I can't wait to try this.. it sounds so good. Comfort food at its best!

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

I saw that picture and thought "uh oh"! It looks so yummy! I know my hubs will love it. My kids fav dessert is from one of the old church cookbooks. You're so right! Jacqueline