This cake is made with a rich, chocolatey batter that's perfect for all your chocolate cravings. A super moist stovetop steamed chocolate cake is a fun new no-bake cake idea that is topped with a simple chocolate glaze for a decadent dessert that can be made on the stovetop or even using a hot plate. It's steamed instead of baked, so it's fluffy, soft, and moist. This is a cake you have to try that will quickly become a family favorite.
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Steamed Chocolate Cake
If you have never had steamed chocolate cake, you might be wondering what the heck it is. Of course, if you have had this before, then you know this is one of the best chocolate cakes you will ever eat.
Steamed cakes are no-bake cakes that are cooked on top of the stove. Some people use a special steamer pot but you can also use a deep saucepan that is larger than your cake pan. The cake is then placed in the pan with water and the cake steams until it is done. This creates a cake that is better than any baked cake you have ever tasted.
If you want another style of chocolate cake, then check out this blender chocolate cake or even this boozy Bailey's Irish cream chocolate cake instead. Each has its own merits but all include one thing we love - chocolate!
Ingredients
For the chocolate cake
- 1 cup cake flour
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
For the chocolate ganache
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ⅓ cup packed brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Handy Kitchen Tools
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- 6" round cake pan
- Aluminum foil
- Large saucepan or deep skillet with lid
- Small saucepan
How to Make a Steamed Chocolate Cake
Prepare a cake pan by greasing or spraying with non-stick spray then set it aside. I recommend a springform pan as it is easy to remove and slice to serve.
Whisk together the cake flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until it's nicely combined.
Next, add in the sugar and whisk to combine.
To the bowl of dry ingredients, whisk in the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until it is combined well and smooth.
Pour this batter into the prepared cake pan, then cover with aluminum foil sealing over all edges nicely.
Tip: Cover the bottom of the cake pan with aluminum foil also if using a springform pan.
In a deep skillet or large saucepan, bring water to a simmer over medium heat. Place a trivet or plate into the water, then top with the cake pan.
Cover with a lid, then cook for 30 to 35 minutes, adding hot water as needed into the pan.
Remove and let cool for 10 minutes before removing the cake from the pan.
How to Make Chocolate Ganache Frosting
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the milk, cocoa powder, flour, sugar, and vanilla extract.
Cook the mixture, whisking regularly until it thickens. Then remove from the heat.
Pour over the cake.
Remove from the pan and serve with berries and cream on top!
Frequently Asked Questions
No this is a no-bake cake. I know that sounds weird when talking about chocolate cake but this cake is steamed instead of baked. While having ovens in some countries is commonplace, like in the US, it is not the case in many countries. That is how this steamed chocolate came to be. Steaming the cake rather than baking gives a moist, incredible cake that won't dry out. The cake comes out softer and more moister than cakes that are baked. With a steamed cake, the flavors shine through and make this steamed chocolate cake something you have to try.
No, the cake does not get wet while it is being steamed. The cake is covered well to prevent the water from getting to the cake. When prepared this way, the aluminum foil prevents the cake from getting wet but it does create a wet environment that allows the cake to keep its moisture and creates a soft, tender cake that doesn't dry out.
If you want a very rich cake, this chocolate ganache style topping is perfect. However, for some people that ganache can make the cake too rich and you might want something a little lighter. You can top the cake with a whipped cream/ whipped topping style frosting. You can also just use powdered sugar.
If you want to make the cake look beautiful and decorated using powdered sugar, you can take a paper doily, like the kind that you find in the party section of a store, and place it over the top then dust with sugar. Remove the doily and you have a love pattern on top.
When making the chocolate cake I like to use unsweetened cocoa powder. It lets me control the amount of sweetness that goes into the cake.
If I want it a bit richer, I will pair it with semi-sweet chocolate. Semi-sweet chocolate chips let me have some added sweetness as well as richness without being too much. You can use milk chocolate or dark chocolate if you prefer. Milk chocolate will add a lot more sweetness. Dark chocolate brings a lot to the cake because it cuts through some of the sweetness with the bitterness that comes with dark chocolate while still giving that chocolate flavor.
More Cake Recipes You'll Love
The cake is one dessert you are hard-pressed to find someone opposed to at the dinner table. Whether you want something rich and decadent or a simple light cake, below are some of my favorite recipes from cheesecake to no-bake layered cakes. Make sure that you bookmark the posts, print out the recipes, or pin them to your Pinterest boards so they are easy to find when you are ready to make a cake again!
- Semi-Homemade Strawberry Crunch Cake Recipe
- The Easiest Cake Mix 7-Up Bundt Cake Recipe
- Classic Pink Lemonade Cake with Whipped Icing
- Decadent Layered Berry Chantilly Cake Recipe
- Creamy No-Bake Coconut Layer Cake Recipe
Video Recipe:
📖 Recipe
Moist Stovetop Steamed Chocolate Cake Recipe
This steamed chocolate cake with a simple homemade chocolate glaze is going to become a favorite! No oven needed!
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 1 cup cake flour (130 g)
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (35 g)
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup granulated sugar (150g)
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup vegetable oil (60ml)
- ½ cup milk (125 ml)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Ganache
- 1 cup milk (250 ml)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (25 g)
- ⅓ cup packed brown sugar (57 g)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
How to Make a Steamed Chocolate Cake
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the cake flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well-combined. Then add in the sugar and whisk to combine.
- Into this mixture, add the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract, then whisk it until it is smooth.
- Spray or grease a cake pan, then pour the cake batter into the pan and cover with aluminum foil.
- Bring water to a simmer in a deep skillet or large saucepan wide enough to hold the cake pan.
- Once simmering, place a heat-proof plate or trivet into the water, then set the cake pan onto the plate so it hovers over the water but is not submerged.
- Cover with a lid, then let cook for 30 to 35 minutes until the cake is done and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Remove the cake and set it aside to cool.
Note: You will monitor this as it cooks and may need to add additional hot water as it cooks so it doesn't cook down too much.
How to Make Chocolate Ganache Frosting
- Whisk together the milk, cocoa powder, flour, sugar, and vanilla in a small saucepan until combined.
- Over medium heat, cook the mixture, whisking regularly, until it thickens.
- Once thickened, pour over the cake.
Notes
Top with whipped cream and sliced berries when serving.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 297Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 178mgCarbohydrates: 47gFiber: 2gSugar: 28gProtein: 6g
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