Potluck : Do You Feel Lucky?

I seem to have spent my life looking for easy cake recipes. This one is among the easiest: You mix it in one bowl, bake and then simply broil the frosting right onto the top. It’s great for potlucks because you don’t have to worry about slipping plates and sliding frosting: you can simply put the whole pan into your car and cut the cake when you get to the party. The cake keeps for about a week, and seems to get better as it ages. I like it best made with regular oats, although quick-cooking oats will do in a pinch.

ORANGE-OATMEAL CAKE

1 1/2 cups orange juice

1 cup oats

1/2 cup butter

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup molasses

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 3/4 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon grated orange zest

1 cup chopped nuts, optional

Topping

Bring orange juice to boil, pour over oats and set aside. Cream butter with sugar. Beat in molasses, then eggs and vanilla.

Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Add to butter alternately with oats. Add orange zest and nuts.

Spread batter in greased 13x9-inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees 40 minutes. Spread Topping over cake. Place under broiler 1 minute. Makes 12 servings.

Topping

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup butter

1 tablespoon orange juice

1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest

1 cup coconut

1/2 cup nuts, coarsely chopped

Place brown sugar, butter, orange juice and zest in saucepan and bring to boil. Cook 1 minute, stirring. Add coconut and nuts.