
This oatmeal cake will knock you off your chair, it’s so good! Cake is a big deal on a plant-based diet. How can you enjoy a cake from plants, and have it be moist?!? This recipe is easy, SO MOIST, a little dense (but not really), and delicious! No oil or eggs required and it’s a cinch to put together.
You can pick the flavor of this cake. If you want a chocolate cake, add 1/4 cup cocoa powder, if you want a cinnamon cake, add 1 Tbsp. cinnamon, if you want a vanilla cake, add 2 tsp. vanilla extract.
You could even take it one step farther and make this a citrus oatmeal cake! Add orange juice instead of water, add in some zest from oranges, lemons, and limes to make a sherbet cake! Yum!
Pick Your Frosting
There are several frostings you could make for this oatmeal cake. These are our favorites!
Broiled Peanut Butter Frosting (FAMILY FAV):
- 1 1/2 cups natural peanut butter
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup oat milk, or less depending on how runny your peanut butter is.
Whisk ingredients together, then pour on top of cake. Place back in the oven, and BROIL for a few minutes. WATCH THE CAKE, DON’T WALK AWAY! The frosting can easily burn. It only takes 30 seconds to 1 minute.
If using a silicone mold, take the cake out of the mold, lay on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, then pour frosting on top and broil.
German Frosting (Coconut Optional):
- 1 and 1/3 cup walnuts
- 2/3 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut (from Trader Joe’s, unsweetened) – optional
In a food processor, blend the 4 ingredients together, then frost the top of your cake, not the sides. If you want to add shredded coconut, do so after you’ve blended the 4 ingredients. Stir in the coconut. If you choose to use the unsweetened coconut, it can be a bit crunchy. Let it sit in the frosting for at least an hour before serving to soften up a bit.
I do have an amazing 1-Minute Chocolate Frosting Recipe, but it is not plant-based. I have not figured out an alternative yet, but I will. If you would like the recipe, go HERE.

Oatmeal Cake Vegan
Ingredients
- 4 round cups oats, ground into fine flour
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder or 1 Tbsp. cinnamon or 2 tsp. vanilla
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- pinch of salt
- 1 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 cup oat milk any milk will work
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. If using a glass baking dish, line with parchment paper. I use a silicone baking mold.
- First, grind oats into flour, you want a fine consistency like flour.
- In a mixing bowl, add the rest of the ingredients and whisk to combine. If you do not want a chocolate cake, then add cinnamon. If you don't want cinnamon, then add a little vanilla. The base of the cake doesn't change.
- Pour the cake batter into your desired baking dish, preferably an 8 or 9 inch baking mold or dish, and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the middle is firm.
- Let cool, then add the frosting of your choice. Enjoy!
Meredith says
Does it matter if you use regular oats or quick cooking oats to make the oat flour? I have a lot of quick cooking oats and I was wondering if I could use those in this recipe. Thanks
Eating Healthy Spending Less says
No it shouldn’t matter. I normally use old fashioned oats, but I have in a pinch used quick oats with no problems.