Chocolate Idli Cake Recipe

Chocolate idli cake is a soft, light and moist cake that is made by steaming instead of baking. It doesn't require any oven or pressure cooker to bake, regular idli steamer pots work perfectly for this recipe. This cake is made using basic ingredients like flour, sooji, cocoa powder, sugar and oil. Serve this chocolate idli cake warm with a drizzle of chocolate sauce or enjoy it with a scoop of ice cream for a delicious treat. 

Chocolate Idli Cake

One day i was lying in bed watching TV (which doesn't happen often), I came across the new pillsbury's commercial. The recipe is a chocolate idli cake. Suddenly the idea struck me, I wanted to create a steamed chocolate idli cake recipe on my own.

Jump to:

• About Idli Cake Recipe
• Ingredients
• Step by Step Pictures
• Expert Tips
• FAQ 
• 📖 Get Recipe

The very next day i was in the kitchen experimenting the recipe. And guess what my first attempt itself is a huge success.

What are Idli Cakes?

Cake batter which is steamed in idli plates instead of cake pans. Regular cake batter can be used for this recipe. But for a change, I used a combination of sooji and flour batter which creates a nice texture to the cake.

The cake took less than 15 mins to make from start to finish and I was so happy to see the super spongy cake. This recipe is such a keeper, great for your sudden chocolate cake craving.

It is great for people who don't have an oven, it can be made in a idli steamer or any bowl.

The cake is perfect after school snacks for kids or an instant recipe to satisfy sweet cravings. Idli cakes are best served with some chocolate syrup or ice cream.

Similar Recipes

• Potato Masala Recipe for Idli & Dosa
• Steamed Chocolate Pudding | Chocolate Pudding Steamed Recipe
• Steamed Honey Fruit Pudding Recipe
• Black Urad Dal Idli & Dosa Recipe
• Rava Idli Recipe

About Idli Cake Recipe

In this recipe, the traditional idli gets a bakery twist by turning into a soft and moist chocolate idli cake.

Instead of using regular idli batter, the recipe uses simple cake batter made with basic ingredients like oil, flour, yogurt, sugar, sooji and cocoa powder. The batter is poured into idli steamer plates and steamed just like classic idli. 

The steaming method locks the moisture in it, so the cake stays soft without drying out. The recipe also doesn't use butter or eggs, still makes the cake moist and fluffy.

Once steamed, drizzle warm cake with chocolate sauce on top to make the cake more indulgent. You can also garnish with chocolate chips or chopped nuts for extra texture.

This recipe works perfectly as a tea time snack, kids healthy dessert or to satisfy quick sweet craving. 

Ingredients

• All purpose flour: All purpose flour makes the cake so soft, spongy and fluffy. You can also replace it with whole wheat flour for a healthier version. 
• Sooji : Semolina or rava absorbs moisture during steaming and keeps the idli soft. Use good fine quality fine rava for best texture. 
• Cocoa powder : Use good quality unsweetened cocoa powder for best taste. 
• Oil : This is a no butter cake and oil is the fat that keeps the cake soft and moist. Use any neutral flavour oil like canola oil, vegetable or sunflower oil. 
• Curd / yogurt : Since this is an eggless cake, yogurt plays a key role. It reacts with baking soda to help the cake rise while steaming. 
• Sugar : Sugar adds sweetness to the cake. You can adjust the quantity based on your taste buds. For a healthier version, swap with brown sugar or jaggery. 
• Baking soda : Baking soda is a leavening agent that helps the batter to rise during steaming and gives the cake a soft, airy texture. 
• Vanilla extract : Vanilla essence adds a mild sweetness and aroma to the cake and balances the chocolate flavour. 

---

Step by Step Pictures

1)Grease idli moulds with oil. Set this aside.

2)Take yogurt and sugar in a mixing bowl. Mix well until sugar melts completely into the yogurt.

3)Add in oil or melted butter. Mix this into the yogurt.

4)Pour in a dash of vanilla extract and mix well.

5)This is your wet ingredients.

6)Add in sooji and cocoa powder and mix well into the batter.

7)Keep the batter aside for 5 to 10 minutes.

8)Now the batter would have thickened a lot. Pour little water to loosen the batter.

9)Add in baking soda. Mix well.

10)Add in plain flour and fold gently.

11)Fold the flour into the batter to combine.

12)Spoon this into greased idli moulds.

13)Place into steamer and steam cook for 8 to 10 minutes.

14)The idli cakes are steamed well. Remove from steamer and let it rest for 5 minutes before removing it from the mould using a spoon.

15)Place it on a serving plate.

16)Drizzle with chocolate sauce and sprinkles.

17)Soft and fluffy cake is done.

---

Expert Tips

• Grease the idli plates with butter or oil before pouring the batter. This helps to scoop the cake neatly after steaming. 
• Make sure the curd and milk are at room temperature before mixing the batter. 
• After adding sooji, let the batter rest for a few minutes. This helps the sooji to absorb the moisture and makes the cake soft and fluffy.
• To check if the cake is cooked, insert a toothpick in the centre. If it comes out clean, then it is ready. Or steam for another few minutes. 

Storage & Serving

Serve the steamed chocolate idli cake warm with chocolate sauce for a rich and delicious treat. You can also pair it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or top if off with chopped nuts and colorful sprinkles to make it more flavourful. 

If you want to store the cake, let it cool completely and then transfer it to an airtight container. It stays fresh at room temperature for 1 to 2 days. 

---

FAQ 

📖 Get Recipe

More Recipes

Steamed chocolate cake : This is a steamed version of the chocolate cake. The batter is made with cocoa powder, sugar, egg, milk and oil. Then it is poured into the greased pan and steamed until soft and tender. Serve it warm with icing, chocolate sauce or with your favourite toppings for a delicious dessert. 

Steamed chocolate pudding : This is a rich and delicious dessert made by steaming the chocolate base batter until it becomes soft and moist. Serve this pudding warm with hot chocolate sauce, caramel sauce or with a scoop of ice cream for an indulgent treat.