If breakfast needs a pick-me-up, this Baked Oatmeal Cake is ready to swoop in! Moist, chewy, and loaded with gooey chocolate, butterscotch, coconut, and crunchy nuts, every slice is pure morning joy. Whether you want a cozy brunch treat or a meal-prep snack that feels like dessert, you’ll find plenty to love in this recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- All-Day Enjoyment: This Baked Oatmeal Cake is just as welcome at breakfast as it is served as an afternoon snack or dessert.
- One-Bowl Wonder: Minimal dishes and easy method make this a total weeknight (or weekend) MVP.
- Make-Ahead Magic: Stays soft and delicious for days and reheats beautifully, so you can prep breakfast for the whole family in advance.
- Customizable Fun: Mix and match toppings and add-ins to suit your cravings or whatever you have in the pantry.
Ingredients You’ll Need
There’s nothing fussy here—just pure breakfast comfort in every bite! Each ingredient in this Baked Oatmeal Cake has a role to play, from chewy oats to melty chips. Here’s what you’ll need, plus some quick thoughts on why they matter:
- Quick cooking oats: The main event! These cook up tender and give the cake its signature chewy texture. Rolled oats work if you prefer a heartier bite.
- Brown sugar: Adds caramel-like sweetness and keeps things extra moist.
- Baking powder: Lifts the cake so it’s light and not dense.
- Salt: Just a pinch to round out the sweetness—it makes every flavor pop.
- Eggs: Bind everything together and add richness to each slice.
- Almond milk (or dairy milk): For a creamy base—choose your favorite milk, dairy or non-dairy.
- Vegetable oil: Makes the cake super tender and helps keep it fresh.
- Vanilla: That hint of warmth that makes the kitchen smell like a bakery.
- Sliced almonds: Provide nutty crunch on top—swap for your favorite nut if you like.
- Chocolate chips: For melty pools of chocolate in every bite!
- Butterscotch chips: A sweet, buttery twist that takes things up a notch.
- Sweetened shredded coconut: Toasts up on the top for golden, chewy goodness.
- Hemp hearts (optional): Sprinkle on at the end for extra nutrition and a mild, nutty flavor.
Variations
This Baked Oatmeal Cake is like a blank canvas for breakfast creativity. Mix things up based on what’s in your pantry, your mood, or special dietary needs for endless variety!
- Berry Burst: Fold in a cup of fresh or frozen berries for juicy bites throughout your cake.
- Vegan & Dairy-Free: Use plant-based milk and swap the eggs for flax “eggs” or your favorite egg replacer.
- Spices Galore: Add a teaspoon of cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin pie spice for extra warmth and flavor.
- Fruit & Nut: Dried cherries, cranberries, pecans, or walnuts are delicious tossed in or sprinkled on top.
- Less Sweet: Cut the brown sugar or use coconut sugar for a lighter touch.
How to Make Baked Oatmeal Cake
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Dish
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and giving your 13×9-inch baking dish a generous spritz with nonstick cooking spray. This is the fastest way to guarantee easy slicing (and easy cleanup) at the end.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Grab a big bowl and whisk together the quick oats, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. Even distribution here means every piece of your Baked Oatmeal Cake bakes up with balanced flavor and perfect texture.
Step 3: Whisk the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, combine the eggs, your choice of milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla. Whisk until smooth—the eggs should be fully beaten so the cake binds beautifully!
Step 4: Combine and Assemble
Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients and gently stir until everything is just combined. Don’t over-mix, but do scrape the sides and bottom—a rubber spatula is your friend here.
Step 5: Top and Bake
Transfer the batter to your prepared dish and spread out evenly. Sprinkle the sliced almonds, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and coconut over the top. Pop it in the oven for 35–40 minutes, or until golden and set!
Step 6: Cool, Slice, and Serve
Let your Baked Oatmeal Cake cool for at least 10 minutes to set. Add hemp hearts if you like, then slice into squares. Serve warm from the oven or at room temperature—either way, it’s irresistible.
Pro Tips for Making Baked Oatmeal Cake
- Texture Tweaks: If you like it a little firmer, bake until the center doesn’t jiggle when you gently shake the pan—if you prefer it gooier, slightly underbake for a fudgier bite.
- Flavor Explosion: Lightly toast the coconut and nuts before topping for an ultra-nutty, aromatic finish.
- Mix-Ins Last: Always scatter chocolate and butterscotch chips over the top rather than stirring in so that they melt into sweet little pockets instead of blending with the batter.
- Do-Ahead Breakfast: Bake it the night before—this Baked Oatmeal Cake actually gets even more flavorful after resting overnight in the fridge.
How to Serve Baked Oatmeal Cake
Garnishes
Dress up each piece with a dollop of Greek yogurt, a drizzle of warm maple syrup, a few extra chocolate chips, or extra toasted coconut for a bakery-style presentation right at home! Even fresh berries or a dusting of powdered sugar add a festive touch.
Side Dishes
This Baked Oatmeal Cake is the star, but it pairs beautifully with fruit salad, crispy bacon, scrambled eggs, or a simple smoothie for a full and balanced brunch spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Try slicing the cake into fun shapes with cookie cutters for a kid-friendly breakfast platter, or layer cubes of cake with whipped cream and fresh fruit to make breakfast parfaits. Stack squares on a pretty cake stand or serve warm in ramekins for a cozy, café-inspired touch!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover Baked Oatmeal Cake in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. It keeps its cozy texture and delicious mix of flavors, making breakfast (or that midnight snack!) nearly effortless all week long.
Freezing
Once cooled, wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and tuck them in a freezer-safe bag. You can freeze the Baked Oatmeal Cake for up to three months. Perfect for busy mornings—just thaw overnight in the fridge!
Reheating
To reheat, simply pop a slice in the microwave for 30–60 seconds until warmed through, or bake at 300°F covered loosely in foil for 10–15 minutes. This revives both the flavors and that lovely just-baked aroma.
FAQs
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Can I make Baked Oatmeal Cake ahead of time?
Absolutely! This recipe is ideal for meal prep. Bake the cake, let it cool, then cover and refrigerate. It stays fresh for several days and reheats beautifully for grab-and-go breakfasts.
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What type of oats are best for Baked Oatmeal Cake?
Quick cooking oats create a softer, more classic cake texture, but you can use rolled oats for a heartier, chewier bite. Steel-cut oats are not recommended, as they don’t soften enough during baking.
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Can I reduce the sugar or use a different sweetener?
Definitely! You can reduce the brown sugar or swap in coconut sugar, maple syrup, or even monk fruit sweetener depending on your preference. The recipe is quite forgiving—just keep an eye on cake moisture if you use dry sweeteners.
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Is this cake gluten-free?
It can be! Just make sure you use certified gluten-free oats, as some oats are processed in facilities with wheat. All other ingredients in this Baked Oatmeal Cake are naturally gluten-free.
Final Thoughts
I hope this Baked Oatmeal Cake inspires a little extra joy at your breakfast table! Whether you keep it classic or try a creative twist, this recipe is meant for sharing, savoring, and making memories. Give it a try—and don’t forget to let me know how yours turns out!
PrintBaked Oatmeal Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Baked Oatmeal Cake is a delightful twist on traditional oatmeal, combining the heartiness of oats with the sweetness of chocolate and coconut. Perfect for a cozy breakfast or a satisfying dessert.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 4 1/2 cups quick cooking oats
- 1 cup brown sugar packed
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 4 eggs
- 2 cups almond milk or dairy milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
Toppings:
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- 1/3 cup chocolate chips
- 1/3 cup butterscotch chips
- 3/4 cup sweetened shredded coconut
- 2 tablespoons hemp hearts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray a 13×9 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk oats, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla. Pour into the dry ingredients and mix.
- Bake: Pour the mixture into the baking dish, top with almonds, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and coconut. Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden.
- Cool and serve: Let the cake cool, then sprinkle with hemp hearts if desired.
Notes
- You can customize the toppings with your favorite nuts, fruits, or spices.
- This cake can be served warm with a dollop of yogurt or a drizzle of maple syrup.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 70mg