Nellie Powell's Oatmeal Cake

Nellie Powell was Grandma Leu's mother. She gave me this recipe more than 60 years ago, before I was ever married to her grandson. I have not made this cake myself, but the note she put on the hand written recipe card said she very much liked this cake. So for preserving family history, I must include this recipe for our family.

1-1/2  cups  boiling water
1  cup  quick oats
3/4  cup  brown sugar
3/4  cup  granulated sugar
1/4  tsp  salt
1/2  cup  shortening
2  eggs
1-1/2  cups  flour
1  tsp  baking powder
1  tsp  cinnamon

Cream together shortening, sugars, and eggs. Add flour, soda, cinnamon, and salt alternately with boiling water. Stir in oats.

Bake in prepared 9x13" baking pan @350 degrees for 35 minutes. Cool before frosting the cake.

Frosting:
1/2  tsp  salt
1  cup  coconut
1  cup  chopped nuts
6  Tbs  butter
1/4  tsp  vanilla
1/4  cup brown sugar
1/4  cup  granulated sugar
1/4  cup  half and half, or evaporated milk

Put everything in a saucepan, except nuts and vanilla. Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and add nuts and vanilla. Spread while hot on the cooled cake. Broil until bubbly.