This Moist Steamed Chocolate Cake is a no-bake cake with a super moist crumb, light texture, and chocolatey perfection. It's delicious eaten plain, or you can decorate it with a chocolate ganache like mine.
Author: Jaja Bakes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 16-inch/15 cm cake
Prep Time40 minutesminutes
Cook Time55 minutesminutes
Total Time1 hourhour35 minutesminutes
Ingredients
Steamed Chocolate Cake
1/4cup(60ml)vegetable oil
1/2cup(120ml)warm milk
2eggs
1tspvanilla extract
1cup(125gr)all-purpose flour
6tbsp(45gr)cocoa powder
1tspbaking powder
1tspbaking soda
1/2tspsalt
1cup(200gr)granulated sugar
1tspinstant coffee
1/2cup(120ml)hot water
Chocolate Ganache
8.8oz(250gr)bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
1cup(240ml)heavy whipping cream
3tbsp(45gr)butter
Instructions
Steamed Chocolate Cake
Preheat the steamer by bringing the water in the steamer to a boil over medium-high heat. Cover the lid with a kitchen towel to catch the condensation.
In a large bowl, sift together all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add granulated sugar and instant coffee. Stir to combine. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together vegetable oil, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Whisk the mixture until well incorporated. Add hot water and whisk until well combined. (*see Notes)
Pour the batter into the pan. Tap the pan on the counter to release the air bubbles.
Steam for 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of each one comes out clean.
Let the cake cools in the pan for 10-15 minutes. Take the cake out of the pan by placing the wire rack on top and flipping it over. Remove the parchment paper. Place another wire rack on top and flip it back. The top of the cake is now facing up. Let it cool completely.
Chocolate Ganache
Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until it begins to simmer (do not boil).
In a heatproof bowl, combine the chocolate, butter, and hot cream. Stir the mixture until completely combined and the chocolate has melted. If it is not melting, place the bowl over but not touching simmering water in a saucepan (bain-marie).
Let the ganache cool completely at room temperature. Refrigerate the ganache until it becomes spreadable. Stir it a few times as it sets in the refrigerator so it remains even and smooth. (*see Notes)
Assemble
Cut the cake horizontally into even 3 layers.
Place the bottom cake layer on your cake stand or serving plate. Spread the ganache and level the top with a spatula to make it even.
Place the middle cake layer and spread the ganache. Then place the top cake layer and cover the top and sides of the cake with more ganache.
Make swirls with the back of a spoon or the tip of a cake spatula to decorate.
Notes
The cake batter will be very thin after adding the boiling water. This is normal.The butter makes the ganache shiny. You can omit the butter, but the frosting will look matte.Make sure to keep an eye on the ganache because if it is left too long in the refrigerator, it will harden. If it becomes too stiff, just reheat it in the microwave or in a bowl over a saucepan.