Description
Experience an incredibly moist sponge cake that elevates simple pantry staples into a luxurious Mediterranean-inspired treat. This recipe features a unique oat-soaking technique and a decadent, broiled crown of caramelized coconut and walnuts for the ultimate texture contrast.
Ingredients
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1 1/4 cups boiling water
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 6 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- 1 cup finely chopped walnuts
- 1 cup brown sugar (for topping)
- 1/4 cup evaporated milk
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 Celsius) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Pour boiling water over the uncooked old-fashioned oats in a heat-proof bowl and let soak for 20 minutes.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until light and airy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract and the soaked oatmeal mixture.
- Sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg, then gradually add to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake in the center of the oven for 30 minutes.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the topping butter and stir in the shredded coconut, chopped nuts, brown sugar, and evaporated milk until thoroughly combined.
- Remove the cake from the oven and immediately spread the topping mixture over the hot surface using a spatula.
- Place the cake under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes, watching closely until the topping bubbles and turns a deep golden brown.
- Remove and allow to set slightly before serving.
Notes
To ensure the most tender crumb, allow the oats the full 20 minutes to hydrate as this prevents any graininess in the final sponge. If your broiler heat is uneven, rotate the pan halfway through the browning process to achieve a perfectly uniform caramelized crust across the entire surface.
- Prep Time: 35 mins
- Cook Time: 33 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-inspired