Steamed Chocolate Cake Recipe

Last Updated On: Mar 8, 2026 by Aarthi

Don't have oven to bake your cakes, this Steamed chocolate cake recipe comes to rescue. Soft Chocolate cake made with basic pantry staple ingredients which turns out fluffy, moist even when steamed.

Steamed Chocolate Cake Recipe

Steamed Chocolate Cake, one of my most requested recipe and I wanted to bake it, hmm rather steam it for quite a long time. Finally I tried it yesterday and it turned out great.

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About Steamed Chocolate Cake
Ingredients
Step by Step Pictures
Expert Tips
FAQ
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This cake turned out so soft and yummy, you will never believe that it is made in a steamer. Plus for those who don't own an oven, you can try this yummy steamed cake.

About Steamed Chocolate Cake

I never believed that you can steam a cake, until I tried this recipe. This recipe blowed my mind, It turned out just like baked cake, even moist in texture than a baked cake. Then I realised in Japan steamed cakes are so popular.

Traditional Japanese steamed cakes is one most loved cake recipe all over the world. It just uses ingredients like flour, baking powder, eggs, milk, sugar, and flavourless oil (such as vegetable oil). So I developed this recipe for a chocolate version and it was perfect.

Once the cake is done steaming, I sliced and tasted it. I realised that cakes can be steamed cake was more tender, moister and fewer crumbs than a baked cake.

This recipe for steamed chocolate cake is easy and uses basic ingredients. You need to mix the dry ingredients and wet ingredients separately and combine both to make cake batter.

I used plain flour, you can use whole wheat flour as well. The resulting cake would be slightly different and dense in texture, but still tasty and healthy. You can also swap brown sugar instead of white sugar.

Steaming time may vary depending on the cake pan size. So adjust accordingly. I used my simple chocolate icing, you can frosting with chocolate ganache as well.

Ingredients

All Purpose Flour - I used plain flour for the cake batter. You can use wheat flour instead of plain flour.
Cocoa Powder - Unsweetened Cocoa powder adds the chocolate flavour. Try to use best quality you can fine.
Sugar - I used granulated white sugar, you can use brown sugar as well.
Raising Agent - baking powder and baking soda is used as leavening agent. It helps make soft cake.
Milk - since the cake is steamed, try to use full fat milk to retain the moist texture.
Egg - egg helps the cake rise and stay soft.
Oil - neutral tasting oil like sunflower oil, refined oil or olive oil can be used.
Flavourings - I used vanilla extract, you can add a teaspoon of coffee powder for flavouring.

Step by Step Pictures

Pre preparation

1)Take your 5 inch round cake pan. Line them with parchment paper and grease all over the cake pan with oil. Set this aside.

Dry Ingredients

2)take plain flour and cocoa powder in a bowl.

3)Add in baking soda and baking powder. You can add a pinch of salt and coffee powder if you prefer.

4)Mix it really well so the ingredients are mixed well. Set this aside.

Wet ingredients

5)Now mix wet ingredients in another bowl. Take sugar, and oil in a bowl. Instead of oil you can use melted butter as well.

6)Pour in milk over the sugar and oil. Full fat milk is preferred.

7)Add in one egg. I haven't tried this recipe without eggs. So you need egg.

8)Add a splash of vanilla extract.

9)whisk well to combine. The sugar should dissolve into the milk and oil.

Make cake batter

10)Now Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and use a spatula to gently mix the dry into the wet. There shouldn't be any dry flour visible.

11)Now the cake batter is done.

PS: Don't mind the little feet, that is my daughters, she was helping me with the cake.

Wrapping

12)Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan. Spread evenly.

12)Place a sheet of greased parchment paper on top of the cake, with greased side facing the cake batter. Now place another sheet of aluminium foil on top and secure it evenly and tightly.

Steaming cake

13)Place it in a steamer and Steam cook for 40 to 45 mins.

14)insert a toothpick to see whether it is done or not. If it comes clean then it is done. Remove from steamer carefully, Let it cool for 15 to 30 mins.

Now run a knife around the sides, invert it to a cake plate. Peel off the parchment.

Un moulding & Decorating

15)I made a batch of my chocolate icing.

16) Pour the icing over the cake and spread evenly. You can decorate with any of your favorite frosting.

17)Spread the icing evenly, so it can drip down the sides of the cake.

18) Decorate the cake with chocolate sprinkles. Allow the cake to set for few hours, so the icing can harden.

19)Slice and serve.

20)Enjoy.

Expert Tips

You can use whole wheat flour instead of plain flour.
Never over mix the cake batter, mix it gently. Else the cake may get tough.
Depending on the pan size, the steaming time may vary. So adjust accordingly.

Serving & Storage

The cake can be stored upto a week in fridge. Enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea.

FAQ

What is the difference between baked and steamed cake?

Steamed cakes will have a more flavour of the ingredients. Because of the browned edges, baked cakes have a more rounded flavour. The cake will be soft and moist, but it will also dry out faster.

Can I make this cake with wheat flour?

Absolutely, you can just swap wheat flour instead of plain flour. It create soft cake as well.

Can I steam this cake in a pressure cooker?

Yes, Pour water in the base of cooker, place a separator over the water. Place the cake pan in. Cover with pressure cooker lid. You don't have to put whistle (weight) on the cooked. Steam on medium heat for the mentioned time.

Can I double this recipe for a bigger cake?

Yes, you can double the cake recipe for a bigger cake. You can even bake this in ramekins for mini cakes.

The steamer should be pre steamed?

No, no need to pre steam the steamer. You can place the cake pan in and heat it.

Can we use brown sugar instead of white sugar?

Yes you can use brown sugar for white sugar.

Can we use ganache for icing

Any frosting or icing as per your choice can be used.

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About Aarthi

Over the past few years I’ve been on a mission to find and create recipes that I can make from scratch. I hope you enjoy the recipes on this blog as they are tried and true from my kitchen to yours!

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