Grandma's Old-Fashioned Oatmeal Cake

A delicious broiled topping and maraschino cherries give this moist oatmeal cake an old-fashioned flavor with a touch of festiveness.

Recipe Ingredients:

Cake:
1 1/4 cups boiling water
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 large eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (10-ounce) jar (3/4 cup) maraschino cherries, drained, chopped

Broiled Topping:
1 1/4 cups sweetened flaked coconut
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/3 cup butter or margarine, melted
1/3 cup whipping cream or half-and-half

Cooking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Stir together boiling water and oats in medium bowl; set aside.
3. Meanwhile, combine sugar, brown sugar and 1/2 cup butter in large mixer bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl occasionally, until well mixed (1 to 2 minutes). Beat in eggs until smooth (1 to 2 minutes). Add oatmeal mixture and all remaining cake ingredients except maraschino cherries. Reduce speed to low; continue beating until well mixed (1 to 2 minutes). Stir in cherries by hand.
4. Pour batter into greased and floured 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from oven.
5. Preheat broiler.
6. Stir together all broiled topping ingredients in medium bowl. Spread over hot cake. Broil 4 to 5-inches from heat, watching closely, until bubbly and lightly browned (2 to 4 minutes). Serve warm or cool. Garnish with whipped cream, maraschino cherries and mint leaves, if desired.

Makes 15 servings.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/15 of recipe): Calories: 360, Fat: 15 g, Cholesterol: 65 mg, Sodium: 360 mg, Carbohydrates: 53 g, Dietary Fiber: 1 g, Protein: 4 g.