• Home
  • ::
  • Blog
  • ::
  • Eggless Chocolate Semolina Cake: A Perfect Birthday Treat

Imagine the delight on your friend’s face when you present a perfectly baked, rich chocolate semolina cake that meets all their dietary preferences. This unique recipe of suji chocolate cake is not only delicious but also a healthier alternative to traditional cakes.

When a close friend requested a special cake for her husband’s birthday, I knew it would be a challenge. She had a list of very specific requirements:

  • It should be a chocolate cake
  • Without eggs
  • No butter
  • No all-purpose flour (Maida)
  • It should be light (so no whole wheat flour)
  • Should not be dry or crumbly (so no millets)
  • It should not be too sweet, so no condensed milk

Meeting all these criteria seemed daunting, but my passion for baking and my "never say no" attitude encouraged me to take on the challenge. This is how I created the ultimate eggless chocolate semolina cake.

I was in a fix. For a minute or two I regretted myself for saying yes to her but then I made my mind to take this challenge. Here my never say NO attitude encouraged me.

Ingredients

  • 200 gm Semolina: Provides a light, fluffy texture without the heaviness of wheat flour.
  • 100 gm Sugar (Powdered): Sweetens the cake while ensuring it’s not overly sweet.
  • 30 gm Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Adds rich chocolate flavor without extra sweetness.
  • 70 gm Curd/Yogurt: Acts as a binding agent and adds moisture.
  • 80 ml Oil: Adds necessary fat, ensuring the cake is moist and soft.
  • 200 ml Milk: Helps achieve the right consistency for the batter.
  • 1/2 tsp Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise.
  • 1/2 tsp Baking Soda: Works with the yogurt to provide lift and lightness.
  • 1/2 tsp Salt: Enhances the overall flavor.
  • 1 tsp Chocolate Essence: Intensifies the chocolate flavor.
CONNECT

Want to get growing?

Starting and growing a business can be hard, and sometimes you might feel stuck. Our weekly newsletter gets delivered to over 30,000 people each week to help them grow. We'd love to help you, too. Subscribe now, it's free.

We respect your privacy and promise to only send you the freshest baking news. No spam, ever. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Quick Notes

Tin Size

Oven Temp

180 °C

Baking Time

25 min

MW Convection Temp

160 °C

Baking Time

25 min

Demold Instructions

5 min

Cooling Time

15 min

PS: Use conversion table to switch recipe between grams and cups.

Step-by-Step Process of Chocolate Semolina Cake

Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine 200 gm semolina, 100 gm powdered sugar, and 30 gm unsweetened cocoa powder.

chocolate semolina cake recipe dry ingredients

Add Wet Ingredients: Add 70 gm curd/yogurt, 80 ml oil, and 1 tsp chocolate essence to the dry ingredients. Mix well.

chocolate semolina cake ingredients mixture

Make Batter: Gradually add 100 ml of the 200 ml milk to create a smooth batter. Let the batter rest for 10 minutes, allowing the semolina to soak the moisture and thicken.

chocolate semolina cake batter with milk

Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).

Adjust Consistency: Add the remaining 100 ml milk to adjust the batter to a pouring consistency.

Add Leavening Agents: Add 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1/2 tsp baking soda to the batter. Whisk well.

chocolate semolina cake batter

Prepare for Baking: Pour the batter into a greased 8-inch baking tin.

eggless chocolate semolina cake

Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

rava chocolate cake

De-molding: De-mold the cake and let it cool on a wire rack.

eggless chocolate cake

Practical Tips

  • Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure all ingredients, especially milk and yogurt, are at room temperature. This helps in creating a smoother batter and ensures even baking.
  • Proper Mixing: When combining wet and dry ingredients, mix just until incorporated. Overmixing can lead to a dense cake. Use a gentle folding technique to maintain a light texture.

  • Sifting Dry Ingredients: Always sift dry ingredients like semolina, cocoa powder, and baking powder. Sifting helps remove lumps and aerates the mixture, resulting in a lighter, fluffier cake.

  • Resting the Batter: Allow the batter to rest for about 10 minutes after mixing. This gives the semolina time to absorb the liquids, leading to a better texture.

  • Preheating the Oven: Preheat your oven to the specified temperature (180°C or 350°F) for at least 10 minutes before baking. This ensures the cake bakes evenly from the start.

  • Baking Time: Avoid opening the oven door frequently while baking. Sudden changes in temperature can cause the cake to sink. Check for doneness with a toothpick inserted into the center; it should come out clean or with a few crumbs.

  • Cooling the Cake: After baking, let the cake cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack. This helps it set properly and prevents it from breaking apart.

  • Using Whole Wheat Flour: If you ever substitute semolina with whole wheat flour, remember that whole wheat flour absorbs more liquid. You might need to adjust the amount of milk slightly. Whole wheat flour can make the cake denser, so consider adding an extra leavening agent like a bit more baking powder or soda.

  • Moisture Retention: Adding ingredients like yogurt and oil can help retain moisture, especially when using whole wheat flour. These ingredients prevent the cake from becoming dry and crumbly.

  • Flavor Enhancements: Whole wheat flour can sometimes impart a slightly nutty or earthy flavor. To balance this, consider adding spices like cinnamon or nutmeg, or flavor enhancers like vanilla or chocolate essence.

Variations and Customizations

For more delicious eggless and chocolate cake recipes, check out these recipes:

Troubleshooting

  • Dense Cake: Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent a dense cake.
  • Flat Cake: Ensure your baking powder and baking soda are fresh for proper leavening.
  • Dry Cake: Avoid overbaking and check for doneness a few minutes before the recommended time.

Nutritional Breakdown of the Total Recipe Yield

  • Calories: 2011
  • Fat: 90.5g
  • Carbohydrates: 277.5g
  • Protein: 38.2g
  • Sugar: 115.0g
  • Fiber: 17.8g

I’d love to hear your feedback! Have you tried this recipe? Do you have any tips or variations you’d like to share?

Leave a comment below or share your results on social media using #anybodycanbake. Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more delicious recipes!

Love Healthy Cakes?

If you enjoyed making this eggless chocolate semolina cake and want to take your baking skills to the next level, consider joining our Healthy Cakes Course.

This course is perfect for both beginners and experienced bakers who want to master the art of healthy baking without eggs.

Our course offers:

  • Expert Guidance: Learn from Sonia Gupta, who specializes in healthy baking and will guide you through every step.
  • Comprehensive Curriculum: Step-by-step tutorials covering a wide range of healthy cake recipes and techniques.
  • Exclusive Tips and Tricks: Discover the secrets to achieving perfect texture and flavor in your healthy bakes.
  • 8 Healthy Cake Recipes: Explore a variety of delicious and nutritious cake recipes tailored to different tastes and dietary needs.
  • 1+ Hours of Pre-Recorded Video: Access detailed, easy-to-follow video lessons at your convenience.
  • Recipe PDFs: Download and print comprehensive recipe guides for easy reference.
  • Certificate of Completion: Receive a certificate upon finishing the course, showcasing your new skills.
  • Lifetime Access: Enjoy unlimited access to course materials, so you can bake at your own pace.
  • Lifetime Support: Get continuous support and updates to help you succeed in your baking journey.

Imagine the joy of baking a variety of delicious, healthy treats that your family and friends will love. Whether you’re looking to impress at a gathering or simply indulge in homemade delights, our course equips you with the skills and confidence to bake with ease.

Join our Healthy Cakes Course today and start creating mouth-watering treats that are sure to delight!

Ready to bake your way to success? Sign up now and let’s get started on this delicious journey together!

Chocolate Semolina Cake Recipe
4.67 from 3 votes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Indian
Servings: 8 Cake Pieces

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a large mixing bowl take Semolina, powdered sugar and cocoa powder. Mix dry ingredients.
  • Add fresh yogurt, oil and chocolate essence to the dry ingredients. Mix it.
  • Start adding milk to it to make a batter. Add half of the milk and keep the rest milk aside.
  • Prepare a smooth batter and let this batter rest for 10 minutes.
  • Meanwhile keep the oven for preheating at 180 °C.
  • Now add the rest of the milk to the batter. Batter should be of pouring consistency.
  • Add Salt, Baking powder and Baking soda to the batter and whisk it well.
  • Pour the batter into a greased baking tin (8” inches).
  • Bake it in a preheated oven for 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  • Once cake is baked, take it out from the oven and de-mould it.
  • Place the de-moulded cake on a wired rack and let it cool completely.

Notes

  1. Ensure you give 10 minutes of resting time when you soak semolina with wet ingredients.
  2. Just want to make Semolina cake without chocolate, remember to include 30gm of of semolina instead of 30gm of cocoa powder.
  3. Do not use stale curd. The recipe will completely get spoiled. Only fresh curd/yogurt that is sweet in taste.
  4. Use flavourless oil.
  5. If you feel that your batter is thick, add milk accordingly. The batter needs to be of pouring consistency, but not runny.
  6. Do not use roasted semolina for this recipe.
  7. Use fine semolina (sooji).
Tried this recipe? Share it with me on Instagram!Mention @bakewithsonia or tag #bakewithsonia
About Sonia Gupta

Sonia Gupta, a seasoned baker with a decade specializing in eggless baking. She is an award-winning Baking Instructor, Blogger, YouTuber & a Recipe Creator.

  • 5 stars
    I was amazed at how good this turned out! For those finding the edges crispy etc, try baking in multiple pans so the layers are thinner. I divided the batter into two pans, and then sandwiched and topped the layers with chocolate ganache. Absolutely delicious! Going to use this recipe in the future instead of my usual plan flour one.

  • 4 stars
    It was wonderful! The outer edges were crispy and everyone liked it, I also added walnuts and chocolate that added a nice crunch. Though it was as dense as wheat cake, maybe I overmixed the batter and had to put more sugar. But it was amazing nonetheless. Thank you. Bookmarking this recipe.

  • Dear Sonia, today I tried ur recipe of Chocolate Semilona cake. The cake taste is soo good n everyone in my home loved it. The cake is little bit crunchy may be due to semolina. But few pieces have broken down… I baked the cake in IFB convection oven, at 150 degrees centigrade, 35 mins. Could u please let me know what could be the mistake.

  • The texture of the cake seems to be great!!! Can you please suggest me the tips to get a perfect flat top of the cake? Milk used in this recipe should be chilled or at room temperature? Does use of chilled milk helps in getting flat top? Please guide. Thanks in advance.

  • Tried this recipe as is. Cake came out super nice, very light and tasty. Will try this again! I used only bottom heater and no fan for baking in OTG. Will be good to have the OTG settings also mentioned in the recipe as i have struggled with those.

  • 5 stars
    Hi Sonia, I prepared your suji chocolate cake n add little more ingredients like 2 tbsp bittersweet chocolate, 2 tsp of milkmaid, 1 tsp vanilla extract instead of chocolate essence, n 1/4 tsp cinnamon powder, that’s it. Cake was superbly moist n delicious with chocolate addition. Thanks you very much for such easy n quick suji recipe. By the way, its good for calorie reduction instead of maida. Now I am going to try your suji wholewheat bread. Coz I am crazy in baking n I baked all types of bread n savoury items like Quiche, Babka, pizzas, filled savoury nonveg in buns, even matcha muffins too recently.

  • Hello mam.. What can be replaced with curd..?? I cannot use any citric product or eggs as per doctor suggestion for my nephew..?? Plz suggest the best alternatives.. I have tried your cakes.. It rises while baking but sinks on completion.. plz suggest..

  • Madam, some people add vinegar for eggless cakes know. Why you are not using vinegar. please clear my doubt.

  • Hey ! Your recipe is lovely ! It is to the point comparing to others ! Love it ! I had a doubt ? If cocoa is sweetened then by what quantity shall i decrease the amount of sugar in it ?

  • Hi, i tried this recipe and cake tastes amazing, but i had put the cake on a room temprature thn also next day the cake was sticky nd not good in taste! Can you tell me how can i preserve that for 5-6 days?

    • Hi Siddhi,

      When humidity is high in air then such things happens. Once cake comes to room temperature, slice it and store it in air-tight container. You can store the cake in refrigerator as well.

      Happy Baking!

  • Hi Sonia ! This cake looks fantastic ! I would like to know if I can make a plain vanilla cake instead of using cocoa powder ? Wat changes shld I make in this recipe ?

  • 5 stars
    Awesome tasty cake Sonia . Really appreciate your way of putting words throughout the recipe , it feels like your sitting in front of me and guiding. Beautiful thought mentioned in your description 🥰 about baking skill. Keep on sharing such healthy recipes and keep on inspiring. I also use to try making cakes for my daughter and family occasionally.

  • Ma’am agar egg use karna hain to kya change kar sakte hain egg recipe ke liye please bata dijiye
    Semolina cake hee egg wala banana hain please

  • Hi baked this cake
    Came awesome all appreciated very well all the credit goes to you

    I have a doubt have seen some where a semolina cake recipe instead of baking it is steamed
    Can this also be steamed if so any difference in measurements

    • Hello Deepika,
      Thanks much for liking my work. I a humbled.
      Coming to your question, yes every recipe and its preparation style is different. Since I have not yet tried the steamed version, it will be impossible to answer back the changes in measurement.

      – Sonia

  • Awesome.Can you tell me for how many days we can keep it..As we are using milk..and any other substitute of milk??

  • Thanks much for sharing a awesome recipe..am a beginner and I tend to over bake and cake always comes up hard.
    I could see my cake is booming up in the oven and then a flat bread, any tips to fix it.

  • Hi Sonia!!! i tried this recipe and its really good…i would like to know if i can make cupcakes with the same recipe.. also how many cupcakes will this recipe yield and will the timing in the oven remain the same??

  • Hi Sonia,tried making this cake. We liked the taste very much. Only outer crust became dry as middle part of the cake took 35 min to cook. But liked this healthy version.

  • Tried it yesterday and it came out really wonderful! Got lil dried out in the corners…may be I shld reduce the baking time by few mins… recipe is a keeper! Thanks a ton!!!

  • Hi Sonia..
    This seems to THE recipe that I was searching for..but I want to make plain semolina cake..will it change any measurements if I skip Cocoa powder?.. I’ve tried one recipe for semolina cake earlier..but it turned out to be very sticky and not very fluffy..I’m looking forward for the best results..thank you for the recipe and thank you for the reply in advance?

  • Hi Sonia… Planning to bake this yummy cake soon….. I really appreciate the fact that u took ur time to respond sincerely to everyone s query…. Which is very rare. Keep up the good work and my best and heartiest wishes for all ur bakes….

    • Hey Sheethal, Thanks a bunch for your appreciation. Nothing could be better than this to end a day. I will try to be as responsive as ever. Thanks for liking the work.

      Regards
      Sonia

  • Hello Sonia, I am planning to make this cake for my little one as it’s the healthy option. Can I replace white sugar with brown sugar? If yes, how much to be added?

  • Hi Geetha,
    It is absolutely ok to bake the cake with chocolate essence. The essence is used to enhance the flavour. You may alternate this with Vanilla essence of just no essence used at all.

    Sonia

    • Hi Sonia, I read your entire description about the making of this cake, I have a doubt, which chocolate and vanilla essence can I use because, in my previous cake I used some vanilla essence? Which lead to bitter taste. Could you please suggest me what brands can I use … many thanks dear….

      • Hi Kumudha,

        Try Vanilla flavor from Ossoro. Its easily available of Amazon. They have awesome products and I always recommend using their products.

        Happy Baking!
        Sonia

  • Hi sonia,
    I have tried Ur recipe and am in love with it. After this I don’t want to go back to making apf cakes. However I do want to know what can I use for toppings and decorating this cake if i have to make it for a birthday

    • Hello Venicia,

      First of all thanks for liking my recipe. As far as topping options are concerned, you may use any available option for example butter cream, fresh cream or Chocolate Ganache.
      I personally like to decorate it with Ganache and pieces of chocolate.

      Sonia

  • I tried this recipe today for a friend and it turned out soo yummy! Tastes yummier than regular chocolate cake! Sooo moist! Thank you for sharing this fool proof recipe?

  • Hey this sound too god to be true…my chance to bake it ..but I couldn’t fingers unsweetened cocoa powder. Should I reduce the amount of sugar in that case.?

  • Hi, can I substitute semolina with whole wheat flour? If yes then will the proportions remain the same?

  • Hi Sonia,

    Your recipe sounds too good to be true. Can you pls recommend something to replace Baking Soda, availability is an issue.

    Will update you with the results soon.

    Thanks

  • Great results ! My four year old could not stop eating it ! will bake for her without any guilt ..thank you for the recipe.

  • I saw your convertion chart.By reading this I converting gm into cup.I use 1cup =250ml cup.
    According to this
    1 & 1/2 cup samolina
    1/2 cup powder sugar
    1/4 cup curd
    1tbs coco powder
    Is this write according to your mesures?

  • Dis just awesome dear d most importa Thing I like was d servings part where we can change d servings n d ingredients r changed according to it ur recipes r really good thanks a lot dear for giving us d opportunity to use dis thanks a ton stay blessed always I h e just a question what will be d problem of we use d pasted raha as I don’t have dat secondly what Eid happen if we use datidli rava as I don’t know how to dofferencite between different Rava as in Saudi we get d packed simple packets of rava n nothing is mentionded dere plz help

    • Hello Fatima,
      Roasted rava will not get soft during the soaking process and after baking the cake will be crunchier. You will feel the grain of rava while the eating the cake.
      I cannot think of a way to find out the difference between rice rava and wheat rava by just looking at the texture. Ideally the pack should mention the same.
      Sonia

  • Couldnt resist to try your super hot recipe today, it turned out super yummy and light.
    However, I was pondering if we could reduce the quantity of oil to make it further healthy.

    • Hello Leena, I don’t know about dark brown wheat rava. The semolina we have used is a wheat semolina. Just in case you are trying to use roasted semolina, I would not recommend.

      – Sonia

  • This is in such perfect time. Was planning to bake a whole wheat cake today for the kid and her friends..But this looks wow…Will give it a try today itself. Is this regular upma rava or what we call fine rava or Chiroti rava in Bangalore?
    Thanks again for churning out such wonderful creations

  • 1.What is a substitute for chocolate essence?
    2.can v use chocolate melts or chocolate chips Instead of Hershey powder?
    Ps advise.

  • {"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}
    >
    Start Now
    May I help you?
    Let me help you to find you a suitable course!