Chocolate Idli Recipe A Fun and Sweet Twist On Traditional South Indian Steamed Cakes
Written by jheelum basu | October 1, 2024
Amid this surging fusion dessert culture in India, just like the chocolate dosa, the chocolate idli is another South Indian delicacy presented with a chocolatey twist.
In this sweet-meets-savory fusion dessert, the sweetness of chocolate meets the traditional taste of the steamed South Indian rice cake like never before. While the rest of the recipe remains traditional, the inclusion of cocoa powder and sugar makes all the difference.
On those busy weekdays, when you are always running against time, these chocolate idlis can save your day as an innovative yet simple breakfast. Made in around 20 minutes by steaming batter mixed with cocoa or by stuffing chocolate inside, these are also the kids’ favorite.
What Makes Chocolate Idli So Popular?
Besides how delicious they taste, several other factors make the chocolate idli a popular breakfast option these days. Being an easy and quick recipe made with some simple ingredients, all they take is just a few minutes in a standard idli steamer. It is also considered convenient for busy schedules, as it is an oven-free item. Being a versatile chocolate-infused snack, chocolate idlis can be easily served with chocolate spread, syrup, ice cream, and fun toppings like berries, nuts, and more.
Chocolate Idli Recipe: Ingredients
- ½ cup semolina
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 6 tablespoons powdered sugar
- ½ cup curd
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon oil
Chocolate Idli Recipe: Step-by-Step Guide
- Start by filling the idli steamer with water and turning on the heat
- Let the water come to a boil
- Next, grease the idli molds with some butter to prevent sticking
- Take a large mixing bowl, combine the curd, powdered sugar, oil, and vanilla essence
- Mix everything well
- Now, sift in the dry ingredients such as cocoa powder, semolina, and flour into the wet mixture
- Give everything a good mix to form a smooth batter
- Let the batter rest for 10 minutes
- This allows the semolina to absorb moisture properly
- Next, add the baking soda to the batter and mix gently, and make sure it is fluffy
- Once the batter is ready, pour it into the prepared idli molds
- Place the idli plates in the steamer, cover the lids, and steam on high heat for 12 minutes
- To check the doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of an idli
- They are done if it comes out clean
- Now, remove the idlis from the heat and let them cool for 5 minutes
- Add some chocolate drizzle on the top and serve them hot
5 Tips & Tricks For A Perfect Chocolate Idli
Maintain the batter consistency:
To achieve perfection, it is important to keep the batter consistency pourable. This ensures soft idils.
Oil the idli molds:
This step is crucial to prevent sticking. Grease the idli molds generously with fatty substances like ghee, oil, or butter. This prevents the batter from sticking to the utensils.
Create a lava center:
To create a molten lava center, pour a small amount of batter into the mold, a teaspoon of melted chocolate, and cover it completely with more batter. This creates a gooey lava center when the idlis are ready.
Steaming time and temperature:
While steaming them using a steamer, make sure a medium heat is maintained for 10-15 minutes. Do not exceed the time, as overcooking ruins the texture of the idlis.
Cooling:
Once the idlis are ready, allow them to cool for 5 minutes to prevent breaking.
Conclusion:
Bored of the same old idlis and chutney for breakfast?
Add a chocolatey punch to your regular breakfast table with this simple chocolate idli recipe. Also, besides breakfast, one may enjoy this as a dessert with some ice cream and chocolate spread as well.