Mini Steamed Chocolate Cake

 Mini Steamed Chocolate Cake (for a 12cm or 5 inch cake)

As someone who is conscious of food portions, I dread to bake as most recipes give quite a big cake. I like to cook and sometimes bake as well, but I always have a lot left behind and I normally freeze it. However, when I know that there are food in the freezer, I tend to use it up. So a small cake is perfect as we are a small family and not everyone likes cakes and sweet things. I, for one prefer savouries but at times I like something sweet for a change. So left overs are frozen as soon as possible there are not so many portions to finish.

I recently bought some small spring-form baking tins for my Chinese New Year Nian Gao. This size is perfect for  small cakes.

Ingredients:-

Mixture A:

80 g       castor sugar

100 ml   semi skimmed milk

1 tsp       instant coffee

Mixture B

1             egg, lightly beaten with a fork

50 ml    oil

1/4 tsp  vanilla extract

Mixture C

50 g       flour

30 g       cocoa powder

3/4 tsp  baking powder

Pinch of salt

Equipment:

I    12.5 cm loose bottom cake tin – greased and lined with non-stick baking parchment or grease proof paper.

1     piece aluminium foil large enough to cover the tin.

Steamer

Method

1. Prepare your steamer.
2. Mixture A: Combine sugar, milk and instant coffee in a saucepan. Stir over low heat until sugar and coffee is dissolved. Turn off the heat and leave it to cool.
3. Mixture B: Combine egg, oil and vanilla extract. Set aside
4. Mixture C: Sift the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt into a large mixing bowl.
5. When the Mixture A (Milk) is cool, pour it into mixture B) (egg) and mix well.
6. Make a well in the centre of the  Mixture C (flour). Then pour the combined mixture into the flour mixture and stir until well mixed.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Cover the top of the pan loosely with the aluminium foil.
8. Steam over medium heat for 45 mins.
9. Cool the cake in pan before turning out.
10. Decorate with chocolate ganache or frosting of your choice. Or decorate with fruits and sprinkle with icing sugar.
11. Serve with fruits and custard or 0% natural yogurt.