I have heard of steamed cakes.
I never wanted to make one because I had this impression that I would be eating something like huat kueh (Chinese Steamed Rice Cakes). I mean, I eat huat kueh once in a while but it is not my favorite thing to eat, especially when there are so many other delicious things I can devour.
But recently, I was talking to a friend who told me her sons were MAD about steamed cakes. That got me wondering… Hmmmm.
But not being very brave, I figured a chocolate version was probably the best way to go. Just in case.
To satisfy my curiosity, I decided to make a steamed cake today. In addition to that, I wanted to test the Pure Steam function of the new Panasonic NN-CS894B microwave oven.
But to my surprise, what came out of the steamer was one moist cake that in no way resembled a huat kueh! In fact, it looked amazingly delicious!
I have really come to love the steaming function in this oven. The fact that It is a microwave AND a steamer AND a convection oven all in one is really an amazing thing. It really makes life as a home cook much, much easier.
If you are keen to try making this cake, here are the instructions.
Into a heavy-bottom saucepan, add the butter, sugar, evaporated milk and vanilla extract.
Stir this over low heat until the sugar has melted. Cool the mixture slightly before using.
Lightly beat the eggs in a bowl.
Add this to the lukewarm butter/sugar mixture and mix to combine.
Sift the flour, cocoa, baking powder and baking soda into a large bowl.
Pour the mixture into the dry ingredients.
Stir until the mixture is well-mixed.
Pour the mixture into a lined and slightly greased baking 8″ round baking pan.
Lift the baking tray about 10 cm off the table top and drop it onto the table top to remove the larger bubbles. Repeat twice more.
Steam for 45-55 minutes, or until an inserted skewer emerges cleanly.
NOTE: If you do not have a Combi oven, just steam in a wok or steamer.
Cool the cake completely in the baking pan before removing.
To make the chocolate ganache, heat the milk in a ban marie or a heavy bottom saucepan until the milk is about to come to a boil – you will see bubbles forming at the edges.
Add the chocolate. Stir until the chocolate has completely melted.
Pour the ganache onto the cake. Smooth the top with an offset spatula.
Chill the cake before serving.
I still have problems believing this cake was not only steamed, but streamed in a microwave oven no less, but it is so soft and so moist – I am definitely a convert!!
- 180 g butter
- 200 g caster sugar - I used 180g
- 200 g full cream evaporated milk
- 2 eggs, slightly beaten with fork
- 100 g plain flour
- 50 g cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons rum (optional) - I omitted
- 50ml milk
- 200g semi-sweet chocolate, broken into small pieces
- Into a heavy-bottom saucepan, add the butter, sugar, evaporated milk and vanilla extract.
- Stir this over low heat until the sugar has melted. Cool the mixture slightly before using.
- Lightly beat the eggs in a bowl.
- Add this to the lukewarm butter/sugar mixture and mix to combine. If you are adding rum, add it at this stage.
- Sift the flour, cocoa, baking powder and baking soda into a large bowl.
- Pour the mixture into the dry ingredients.
- Stir until the mixture is well-mixed.
- Pour the mixture into a line and slightly greased baking 8″ round baking pan.
- Lift the baking tray about 10 cm off the table top and drop it onto the table top to remove the larger bubbles. Repeat twice more.
- Steam for 45-55 minutes, or until an inserted skewer emerges cleanly.
- Cool the cake completely in the baking pan before removing.
- To make the chocolate ganache, heat the milk in a ban marie or a heavy bottom saucepan until the milk is about to come to a boil – you will see bubbles forming at the edges.
- Add the chocolate. Stir until the chocolate has completely melted.
- Pour the ganache onto the cake. Smooth the top with an offset spatula.
- Chill the cake before serving.
The Panasonic Steam Convection Microwave Oven is available for sale at: Best Denki Ngee Ann, Junction 8, Katong, Court Mega Store, Harvey Norman, Isetan, CK Tangs and Takashimaya.
The above store mentions are subject to stock availability.
Panasonic Singapore
Note: This review was written in conjunction to my participation for the Best Cooking Blog in Singapore Blog Awards 2015. This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.
OMG, the cake sure looks moist and yummy! Love browsing through the recipes you shared and the awesome food pictures you have taken!
Many thanks 😀 😀
Many thanks!! This was one yummy cake 🙂 😀
Hi, Do you recommend that I steam this cake using high or low fire?
Thanks,
Elaine
Medium fire – just steam until the inserted skewer/knife emerges cleanly.
Yumm.. I’m craving for chocolate cake after reading your post. Good luck in Singapore Blog Award 2015! I’m rooting for you! 🙂
Thank you Michelle 🙂 🙂
Yummy and also easy to make. Will definetly try it out.
Thank you Catherine! 🙂
Hi Diana, can the cake be cooked over steam bath instead, I’ve got everything ready to make this today but ended up realizing that the baking tin cannot fit my steamer ;( I really wanna make this, any suggestions?
Yes it can!!
I will definitely try this recipe.Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for leaving a comment – I hope you like the cake! 🙂
I am a chocolate lover, could I add melted chocolate into the cake mixture to make it more chocolatelty?
I have no idea how the cake will turn out – maybe you can try and let me know if you do?
Can I use fresh milk instead of condense milk?
Hi no, they are completely different.
Hey,can i use fresh milk? AND do i nedd to boil it for long?
No you can’t.
“Stir this over low heat until the sugar has melted. Cool the mixture slightly before using.”
I have a Hitachi Combi Oven in which there is no steam function alone but ‘Steam with Microwave’. Would this do?
Wonder if this is the same mode you used in your Panasonic? Or does Panasonic has a Steam function alone?
Hi I am not familiar with Hitachi ovens but the Panasonic has a pure steam function (no microwave) which was what I used to make this cake!
Hi Diana, tried this today using an older version of the Panasonic microwave steam convection oven and the cake was absolutely fabulous! Thanks for sharing this recipe
Awesome! Pretty cool – made a cake and so little cleaning up after! 🙂
In making the ganache. Is your milk is still Evaporated milk?
Hi Dancil no for the ganache I used full cream milk.
Hi, is full cream milk equivalent to whip cream?
Nope, pls see this: http://thedomesticgoddesswannabe.com/tell-me-why/
Hi! Any substitute for caster sugar?
stevia?
Hi Diana, the cake looks deliciously tempting.
I don’t have a steam oven and not likely to buy due to space constraint. Can I steam the cake the traditional way? Thanks.
yes if course!
Hi Diana, do we need to cover up the top if we use the wok to steam the cake.
Yes you do!! Remember to keep an eye on the water level in the wok!
Hi Diana, have you used this oven to bake or use the rest of the functions? My friend has suggested I get this type of oven due to space constraints but I am wondering if the other functions are just as good.
Hi Choo Wah yes I have used many of the functions! I have baked cakes in this and I love the grill function. If you have space constraints it is a good appliance to get because it is not very big yet it performs well!
Hi
May I know if I should use salted or unsalted butter?
Hi for baking, otherwise stated we always use unsalted butter
When u mentioned, we need to cover the top when steaming… Meaning cover the 8″ tin or cover the wok? If it is the 8″ tin, can use aluminum foil to cover the top?
Thank you 🙂
Hi i meant cover the wok, not the baking pan.
Thank you thank you 🙂
Hi
I have tried out the recipe. I reduced the sugar by more than half. It turned out fine. I love the texture of the cake. Thank you for sharing the recipe. Any chance of a steamed butter cake?
Hi Diana, for the ganache, if I were to use full cream milk powder, what would be the proportion of the milk powder and water. TQVM.
Hi Patricia I really have no idea. Maybe this will help: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Dry-Milk-Taste-Like-Fresh-Milk
Hi. I tried baking this cake today however the shape doesn’t seems to very nice like cupcake form. The texture and etc is fine just the shape . May I know is it fire too big ? Or have to drop the cake to reduce air bubbles
Hi Kathy I am not sure if I understand. How did your cake actually turn out?
What’s the steam temperature please?
Just got mine delivered yesterday…so still trying to get the hang of it 🙂
HI just steam at high heat. If you are using the Panasonic oven then just the Pure Steam function.
can i use granulated sugar instead of caster sugar?
Yes but you have to beat a lot longer since granulated sugar is bigger.
Hi there….
Wud love to try out ur steam cake recipe. I hv just purchased a new Panasonic inverter oven which has a steam function where I am required to fill up a small contained of water for steaming purposes. To stream the cake for about 45 to 55 mins would the water in the container be sufficient or do I hv to stop midway to refill the container. Pls advise.
Hi Kiren yes just add more water after 30 minutes and continue cooking!
Hi dear…. Thanks for the advise. Will try out your recipe today and let you know the outcome.
Hi Diana.
When using wok to steam, don’t need to cover the cake with foil? The water condensation from the wok cover will drip on the cake?
The water should flow down the sides of the wok cover right?
Hi Diana. When steaming with wok, do I need to cover with aluminium foil to prevent the water condensation from the wok cover?
Hi Diana, can i replace butter with vegetable oil?
I think so. I haven’t tried it though.
Hello, I just bought the Panasonic oven yesterday, and since I’m seeing the Le Creuset pop out in the same blog post, would like to know if we could use Le Creuset Cast Iron pots in this oven? Which functions can/ cannot use the Cast Iron pots. Thanks!
Hi yes you can use LC with this oven. I usually use it to bake.
What do I use to cover the top of I use a traditional wok? .aluminium foil? Need to poke holes?
Just a wok cover should do it.
Just baked this fabulous steam chocolate cake last night. N I made the ganache this morning. This cake is really delicious n thank u for the wonderful recipe! It is a keeper!
Thanks for the feedback! I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Your cake looks wonderful. Are you able to guide me on the quantities if I’m gonna use a 6 inch cake tin instead?
Pls see http://thedomesticgoddesswannabe.com/tell-me-why/
hi dianna, can i replace plain flour into all purpose flour?
Yes they are the same.
yes they are the same
Hi, any guidance on the quantities of the ingredients if I use a 6 inch cake tin instead?
pls see http://thedomesticgoddesswannabe.com/tell-me-why/
Use ratio to reduce accordingly.
Just tried last night. Delicious…..Full of chocolate and milk flavourMoist and soft. Doesn’t taste like steamed cake.
Hi there. The recipe is really delicious when steamed. How about using the recipe for baking? Will the results be similar?
Hi I have no idea since I always steam the cake!
I have a combi steam oven and can do this at 100% steam at a certain temp or a lower percent wth potential for higher temps. Mine was delicious today but took FOREVER to cook. Ideas on temp and percent humidity?
Hi Kristen I find that I always need to add a lot more time when I steam with a combi oven too!
dear sista,
i tried ur recipe just now and its turn as i expected..so moist and chocolatieee..loove the taste so much..so easy to make but yet soooo rich and wonderfull taste..
will definitely be chocolate steam cake fav on the list..
thanks for sharing the recipe,i’m gonna try your other recipes for my next project..will inform you soon as it come out for the steamer/oven..
btw i subtituted efavorated milk with just full cream milk..coz i didn’t have any at home this morning.. don’t know the taste of yours by using efavorated milk,but for me using just ordinary milk was definitely fine..
thanks once again..😘
That sounds great!! I am glad it worked for you!
I dont have a microwave. So using steamer on gas stove, there will be water forming on the steamer cover. Thanks.
Okay..