Oatmeal Cake

Oatmeal Cake
Submitted by Noreen E
3 c boiling water
2 c rolled oats
1 c. shortening
2 c granulated sugar
2 c brown sugar
4 eggs beaten
3 c flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
Coconut Topping (recipe below)

Combine water and oats and let stand 20 minutes. In a separate bowl, cream shortening, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and beaten eggs. Stir in oat mixture. Stir or sift together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon; add to oat mixture. Mix well. Pour into a greased and floured 9 x 13 inch baking pan. Bake 350 degrees for 35 to 40 min. Remove from oven. While cake is still warm, spread on Coconut Topping.
(I poured topping on when the cake came out of the oven, due to shortness of time. Guess it's OK not to wait too long?)

Coconut Topping
1/2 c butter or margarine
1 c brown sugar
1/2 c evaporated milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 c coconut
3/4 c nuts, chopped (or more to liking)
In a heavy saucepan, combine butter or margarine, brown sugar, and evaporated milk. Bring to a boil over medium heat; boil for 1 min. Remove from heat, and stir in vanilla, coconut, and nuts. Spread on warm Oatmeal Cake.