HURRICANE CAKE

1 cup quick cooking oatmeal

1 1/2 cups boiling water

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1/2  cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vanilla

 Pour boiling water over oatmeal and let stand while mixing cake.

Sift together flour, soda, salt and cinnamon. Combine sugars, eggs, oil and vanilla. Add flour mixture and mix well. Add oatmeal. Pour into greased and floured 9-by-13-inch pan and bake 30 to 40 minutes at 350 degrees. 

TOPPING:

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

3/4 cup evaporated milk

1 1/2  sticks butter

1 1/2  teaspoons vanilla

12 ounces coconut

1 cup chopped pecans

While cake is baking, mix sugar and milk in saucepan; add butter. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture slightly thickens. Add vanilla, coconut and pecans. Spread on hot cake and stick under the broiler for just a few seconds until it bubbles.