Kathy's Whole Wheat Oatmeal Coffee Cake

My natural childbirth instructor Kathy gave us this cake after class one day...my husband loves it! I always forget to buy coconut, but it is still amazing without it. If you don't know how to make butter and sugar fluffy, look up a quick tutorial online! It makes the world of a difference in how fluffy your cakes are!

Whole Wheat Oatmeal Coffee Cake

Preheat oven to 350
Combine and let stand 20 minutes:
     1c oatmeal (quick or slow cooking)
     1 1/4 c. boiling water

In a med. mixing bowl mix together and then set aside:
     1 1/2c whole wheat flour (can use unbleached white flour for half)
     1 tsp baking soda
     1 tsp baking powder
     1/2 tsp salt
     1 tsp cinnamon

Cream together until fluffy (6-8 minutes in mixer):
     1/2c soft butter
     1c sugar
Add the following ingredients in the order that they appear:
    1c brown sugar
     2 eggs (one at a time)
     1 tsp vanilla
Add oatmeal mixture. Beat well.

Slowly add flour mixture, beat well.

Pour into greased and floured 9x13 pan (it seems big but it rises a lot). Bake 30-35 minutres or until tests done with a toothpick.

Topping:
Combine:
     1/2 c brown sugar
     1/3c soft butter
     1/4 c cream or milk
     1/2 c chopped nuts (I use pecans)
     1 c dried coconut

Spread on cake and broil (low setting if you have it) 2-4 minutes. Be careful here- it burns quickly...when you see most of the cake bubble, pull it out.

Let sit for 5 minutes before serving!