When it comes to comforting desserts, this Old-Fashioned Oatmeal Cake is everything! Topped with broiled coconut and nuts, each bite is a hug for your mouth!
Place a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add applesauce and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in rolled oats. Let rest for 20 minutes.*Prep the rest of your ingredients while you wait for the applesauce to cool.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F after 10 minutes. Spray a 9-inch x 9-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, beat together 1/2 cup butter and sugar for 1 minute. Add eggs and vanilla, and beat until smooth.
In a medium mixing bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Add half of the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients; stir until just combined. Repeat with remaining dry ingredients. The batter will be thick.
Add the applesauce/oat mixture to the bowl and stir to combine. The batter will loosen up thanks to the applesauce.
Pour cake batter into prepared baking dish. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes until the cake has browned and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Coconut Topping
Add coconut, brown sugar, walnuts, 1/4 melted butter, and milk to a small mixing bowl. Stir together until all ingredients are combined and moistened. Carefully spread topping over the hot cake.
Return to the oven and broil on HIGH for 1 to 2 minutes or until the top is golden and bubbly.
Remove cake from the oven and let cool for 30 minutes or a wire rack. Cut into 9 pieces and serve.