Chocolate Oat Snack Cake

                                                                       

I can't remember where I picked up this recipe, but it is an easy cake to throw together and it is quite tasty and brownie-like. It is also a good way to incorporate some good old-fashioned oats into your family's diet. You will not know the oats are in this cake as the soaking keeps them from being chewy. This cake whips up in no time and your kids and hubby will like it. So will you. Enjoy!

Chocolate Oat Snack Cake
                                                            350 degree oven
1 3/4 cup boiling water
1 cup quick cooking oats
1/2 cup real butter (1 stick), softened
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 3/4 cup unbleached flour
2 Tbls. unsweetened cocoa*
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp real sea salt (pink kind)
12 ounce pkg chocolate chips (2 cups), optional
1 cup chopped nuts, optional
Powdered sugar, optional

In bowl, combine water and oats; let cool 10 minutes.
Cream butter and sugars. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
Add oat mixture to creamed butter mixture, then add dry ingredients and blend well.
Stir in 1 cup chocolate chips, if used. Also stir in 1 cup nuts, if used.
Grease a 13" x 9" pan. Pour batter into pan, leveling top. Sprinkle top with remaining 1 cup chocolate chips, if used. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes, till toothpick comes out clean.
Cool on wire rack. Sprinkle with some powdered sugar, if desired.

* I like mine made with 3 Tbls cocoa, but that seems to be too strong of a chocolate flavor for most people. It makes it very rich.
Tip: If you want to make a nice design with the powdered sugar, get a paper lace doily and lay over the cake, then sprinkle with powdered sugar. Carefully remove paper and you will have a lace design.