Steamed Chocolate Cake
Easy to make, delicate, and delicious.
I make this in my house often and it rarely makes it to the next day. Steamed like a pudding but it comes out light and fluffy, and very delicious. Look, it might not turn out perfect the first time you try it – different stoves, temperatures, and pots will dictate different outcomes. The first time I tried this was a disaster as I didn’t steam it long enough. The second time was good. Every time since has been perfect. Here’s how you do it.
OK, let’s cook!
Prep time: 20 mins
Cook time: 45 mins
Servings: 4-6
Ingredients
160g flour
30g cocoa
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
200g light brown sugar
2 eggs
1.5 tsp instant espresso coffee
1.5 tsp vanilla extract
130g (1/2 cup) sour cream
85g melted butter
1/2 cup water
Method
First, set up your steaming pot. I use a very large Dutch oven with two inches of water on the bottom. You need something to raise the cake pan above the water. I use two small cocottes, but anything will do.
Dry Ingredients
Mix together the flour, cocoa, and baking soda. Sift if you have the time
Wet Ingredients
Lightly whisk together the eggs and sugar for 30 seconds until smooth
Then add in the salt, espresso powder, sour cream, water, melted butter, and vanilla. Gently whisk.
Mix Together and Steam
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix. It should have the consistency of a wet batter.
Pour the batter into the cake pan and set it in your Dutch oven on top of whatever you're using to raise it up.
Bring the water to a boil. As soon as it boils put the lid on and reduce to medium. Set a timer for 40 minutes.
Try not to check too often as you'll let out too much of the steam. You're looking for a surface that appears firm. Once it's done turn off the heat and remove the lid. Let it cool before trying to handle the pan.
Let It Cool
Remove the cake pan from the pot and let it cool fully for 45 minutes.
The next part is kind of tricky. Get two dinner plates. Put one over the cake pan and carefully flip it over. Tap out the cake. Then take the other dinner plate and put it on the bottom. Flip it again to get the top side of the cake right side up again.
I like to dust mine with some icing sugar through a sieve. Slice and enjoy :)