It was a simple thing to do. Go to the store and get orange juice for the photos. The plan was laid out. It was to be a breakfast scene with juice and coffee. Then something shiny caught my attention. Well, not actually shiny. Thoughts of other upcoming posts and recipes filled my head. This created a list of things needed other than juice. I went to the store and filled the cart with groceries. I unpacked the bags and realized I forgot the one thing that had me going to the store in the first place. Oh well. Photos of Granola Cake would have to be done without it.
This is definitely not the first time it happened. Distraction and not writing lists get me going back to the store all too often. I should learn from past experience and yet the lesson will not stick. All I can do is laugh about it and be glad the grocery store is only a mile away. Anyway, photos and missing items aside, it is time to focus on cake for breakfast. Yes, that’s right: cake for breakfast.
Granola cake is definitely breakfast food. It is also definitely dessert and a snack too. It’s an all-purpose, any time of day, tell people you are eating healthy, and splurge worthy cake. It’s moist and crumbly, filled with golden raisins, and topped with vanilla glaze. The best part is no one would know it is made with granola if you don’t tell them. Your secret is safe with me.
Why did I bake a breakfast cake? It is the Bundt Bakers theme this month. Any excuse to start out the day with a bundt is a good one. Do you like to begin your day with something sweet? We have recipes for you. How about with savory? We have recipes for that too. Take a look at them and scroll down to find out how you can join in the bundt baking fun.
- Breakfast Banana Bundt Cake from Varada at Varada’s Kitchen
- Blackberry Chocolate Coffee Cake from Lauren at From Gate to Plate
- Breakfast Bundt from Jane at Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
- Callaloo & Saltfish Mini Bundt from Kelly at Passion Kneaded
- Cheesy Bacon Sausage Brioche Bundt from Tara at Noshing With The Nolands
- Cheesy Breakfast Sausage Bundt from Stacy at Food Lust People Love
- Feta Cheese and Sundried Tomato Breakfast Bundt from Maria at Box of Stolen Socks
- French Toast Bundt Cake with Maple-Bacon Glaze from Felice at All That’s Left Are The Crumbs
- Granola Cake from Renee at Magnolia Days
- Individual Breakfast Banana & Ginger Nutella Glazed Oatmeal Bundt Cakes from Laura at Baking in Pyjamas
- Maple Bacon Bundt Cake with Bacon Pecan Streusel Swirl from Tux at Brooklyn Homemaker
- Mimosa Bundt Cake from Lauren at Sew You Think You Can Cook
- Orange Blueberry Bundt Cake from Kathya at Basic N Delicious
- Sausage and Potato Bundt from Margaret at Tea and Scones
- Whole Grain Breakfast Blueberry Mini Bundts from Laura at The Spiced Life
For other breakfast recipes, check out my Golden Morning Glory Muffins or Sausage and Egg Wraps.

Granola Cake
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 1 3/4 cups boiling water
- 1 cup granola cinnamon flavor*
- 8 ounces golden raisins
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
- 3 eggs at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the glaze:
- 2 cups sifted confectioners sugar
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 2 to 3 tablespoons milk more if needed
Instructions
For the cake:
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Pour boiling water over granola and raisins in a bowl. Stir and cool to room temperature (about 1 hour).
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Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease and flour a 10- or 12-cup bundt pan.
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Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg in a medium bowl.
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Cream butter, sugar, and brown sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
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Add eggs and vanilla, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
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While blending at low speed, add flour mixture in three additions alternately with soaked granola and raisins in two additions, beginning and ending with flour mixture until just moistened. Do not over mix.
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Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, until a toothpick or cake tester inserted in the middle comes out clean.
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Cool cake in the pan for 12 minutes. Turn out cake on a wire rack and cool completely. Top cake with vanilla glaze.
For the glaze:
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Combine sugar, butter, vanilla, and salt in a small bowl. Gradually add milk to desired consistency.
Recipe Notes
*Add 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the flour mixture if using granola that is not cinnamon flavored.
What is Bundt Bakers? It’s a group of Bundt loving bakers who get together once a month to bake bundts with a common ingredient or theme. Follow our Bundt Bakers Pinterest board for incredible bundt cake recipes and inspiration. Stacy of Food Lust People Love heads up our group and has a #BundtBakers page where you can find information and links to the recipes for each month.
How is the monthly theme determined? We take turns hosting each month and choosing the theme/ingredient.
Would you like to join in the fun? If you are a food blogger, send an email with your blog name and url to Stacy at [email protected].
tux says
Gorgeous cake, even without the OJ! Sounds delicious too!
Renee says
Thanks Tux.
Christine from Cook the Story says
This sounds absolutely delicious!
Renee says
It tastes as good as it sounds. Thanks Christine.
Anita at Hungry Couple says
Nice! And so much happier than the sad bowl of dry cereal I rushed through this morning.
Renee says
Oh yes, definitely much happier than a bowl of cereal.
Varada says
That is a great cake for breakfast. And it looks with the glaze without the glass of OJ
Renee says
Thanks Varada and I was very pleased with the way the glaze looks on the cake. It was just the right consistency.
Stacy says
Thanks for the “we are all alike” confirmation, Renee. When I DON’T go to the store, it’s a good day! Sometimes I want to kick myself when I forget things and it’s twice in one day.
Your granola cake is fabulous! The perfect slice with a cup of coffee or tea, no matter what the time of day!
Renee says
I have found myself going to the store every day in a week. Why I can’t get it together for one trip is a mystery.
[email protected] in Pyjamas says
I adore granola and I think I’d love baked into a bundt. This looks delicious!
Renee says
Thanks Laura and I can’t wait to bake this again with a different kind or flavor of granola. So many flavors to explore.
Nancy @ gottagetbaked says
Renee, this is such a cool cake! I’ve never heard of a cake made with granola before. It’s gorgeous and I want to eat it at all times of day, especially with that beautiful thick layer of glaze on top! As for memory lapses and writing lists…if I don’t write something down, I will NEVER remember to do it. There are times when I go grocery shopping during my lunch break and I put my groceries in the fridge at my office. As I’m leaving my desk at the end of the day, I remind myself to pick up the groceries. I will then literally walk right past the fridge, out of the office, into my car and I’ll be halfway home before I remember those damn groceries. I’ve lost my mind! So don’t feel too bad about the items you forgot 😉
Renee says
Too funny about you leaving your groceries in your work fridge. Only hope they were there for you the next day.
Maria @ Box of Stolen Socks says
Just today I went to store to buy baking paper and I came back two bags full of everything else except baking paper! So I have to go again tomorrow.. oh well..
This cake looks wonderful. I love the glaze!
Renee says
Hope you finally got the baking paper. I’ve forgotten it several times too.
Lauren Everson says
Granola IN a cake – I love it! And yes, cinnamon is absolutely a must.
Renee says
I totally agree about cinnamon. It’s one of my favorite flavors, especially in baked goods.
Terri/LoveandConfections says
What an inventive way to use granola! I always forget what I’m going to the store for. I end up with things for future posts, then realize I never got what I needed too. I try to keep a list with me, just so I can keep on track
Renee says
Glad I’m not the only one who forgets what they go to the store for. It’s crazy how it happens.
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
I am totally loving the idea of granola cake!! And I think I need it for breakfast everyyy day 😛
Renee says
Me too. Much better than granola on top of yogurt.
Laura says
I LOVE the idea of granola in cake! Brilliant!
Renee says
I like the different flavor possibilities depending on which granola is used.
Lauren says
Granola in my cake?! Sure I’ll take that!! Looks delic!
Renee says
Thanks Lauren
Laura Dembowski says
I’m a granola junkie. Putting it in a cake is genius! Also I have forgotten so many things at the grocery store. It’s just life, I think.
Renee says
Yes, and the forgetting things seems to happen more often as we get older too.
Margaret says
Granola is perfect for breakfast. In CAKE – even better.
Renee says
Thanks Margaret.
Kelster says
I no longer head out without a list (well..my phone with the app that has the list). Now, if I don’t remember to add it to the list? I am out of luck.
Great cake. I think I will try this with some muesli that I have on hand. Hope it works.
Renee says
It may work with muesli but I’m not sure. You will have to let me know how it does. Thanks!
Joyti says
Wow, this sounds really delicious and intriguing. Yum!
Renee says
Thank you and it is very delicious.
Felice/All That's Left Are The Crumbs says
I either forget the thing I went into the store to get or I go for one thing and come out with 20, such is life. I love that you baked granola into your bundt – it looks amazing, My daughter has been baking lots of granola lately, so I can’t wait to give this a try.
Renee says
You need to share your daughter’s recipes for granola. I really enjoy homemade ones.