Matilda’s Chocolate Cake Recipe – Fudgy, Rich & Unapologetically Decadent

A dense, ultra-chocolatey cake inspired by the legendary scene in “Matilda” (1996)—every bite is gooey, rich, and totally unforgettable.

🎉 Introduction

Remember that iconic scene in Matilda where Bruce Bogtrotter devours an enormous chocolate cake? This is that cake—fudgy, dark, and deliciously over-the-top. This Matilda’s Chocolate Cake is for serious chocolate lovers only—think moist layers, smooth ganache, and a richness that’s worth every bite. 🍫✨

It’s the perfect showstopper for birthdays, celebrations, or anytime you want to serve up some serious chocolate drama.

🛒 Ingredients

(Serves 12–14)

🍰 For the Cake

• 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1½ tsp baking soda
• 1½ tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 tbsp instant espresso powder (optional, enhances chocolate flavor)

🍫 For the Chocolate Ganache Frosting

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 16 oz semi-sweet or dark chocolate, chopped
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• Pinch of salt

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Make the Cake

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. In a large bowl, whisk flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
3. Add eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
4. Dissolve espresso powder in boiling water and add to batter. Mix slowly until incorporated (it will be thin).
5. Divide batter evenly between pans.
6. Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.
7. Cool in pans 10 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

Step 2: Prepare the Ganache

1. Heat cream in a saucepan until just simmering.
2. Pour over chopped chocolate in a bowl. Let sit 2 minutes, then stir until smooth.
3. Stir in butter and a pinch of salt. Let cool until thick enough to spread.

Step 3: Assemble the Cake

1. Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread ganache evenly over the top.
2. Add second cake layer and frost the top and sides generously with ganache.
3. Optional: Top with chocolate shavings, sprinkles, or drizzle with extra ganache.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 12–14
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Bake Time: 35 minutes
• Cooling/Frosting: 60 minutes
• Total Time: ~2 hours

🥄 Variations

• Nutella Ganache: Replace half the chocolate with Nutella for a hazelnut twist
• Peanut Butter Frosting: Swap ganache for creamy PB frosting
• Mini Cakes: Make individual servings with a muffin tin
• Spicy Kick: Add ¼ tsp cayenne to the batter for a Mexican chocolate vibe
• Vegan Version: Use dairy-free milk, oil, and vegan ganache

🧊 Storage & Reheating

• Fridge: Store covered for up to 5 days
• Room Temp: Good for 1–2 days if your kitchen is cool
• Freezer: Wrap slices in plastic and foil; freeze up to 2 months
• Reheat: Microwave slices 15–20 seconds for a gooey texture

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Is it really the cake from the movie?
   Inspired by it—rich, dark, and unforgettable!
2. What if I don’t have espresso powder?
   Skip it—but it adds depth without tasting like coffee.
3. Can I make this ahead?
   Yes—make the cake a day in advance, frost when ready.
4. Why is the batter so thin?
   That’s normal! It leads to a moist, fudgy crumb.
5. What kind of chocolate is best for ganache?
   Use quality semi-sweet or dark chocolate—avoid chips if possible.
6. Can I use store-bought frosting?
   You can, but the ganache really makes it special.
7. Do I need a stand mixer?
   No—this batter is easy to mix by hand or with a hand mixer.
8. Can I make it gluten-free?
   Yes—use a 1:1 gluten-free flour substitute.
9. Can I add fillings between the layers?
   Definitely! Try chocolate mousse or raspberry jam.
10. Will this cake hold up in the heat?
    Refrigerate if serving outside—ganache softens at warm temps.

🏁 Conclusion

This Matilda’s Chocolate Cake is everything a chocolate cake should be—dense, moist, rich, and so over-the-top it could’ve come straight out of a storybook. Perfect for birthdays, special occasions, or just when life calls for cake, it’s a fudgy fantasy that never disappoints. 🍫🎂

Serve it up tall, with extra ganache and maybe a glass of milk—just like Bruce would’ve wanted. 🥛💥

Matilda’s Chocolate Cake Recipe – Fudgy, Rich & Unapologetically Decadent

Adam

Remember that iconic scene in Matilda where Bruce Bogtrotter devours an enormous chocolate cake? This is that cake—fudgy, dark, and deliciously over-the-top. This Matilda’s Chocolate Cake is for serious chocolate lovers only—think moist layers, smooth ganache, and a richness that’s worth every bite. 🍫✨ It’s the perfect showstopper for birthdays, celebrations, or anytime you want to serve up some serious chocolate drama.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

bake /Cooling/Frosting time 1 hour hr 35 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 55 minutes mins

Servings 14 servings

Ingredients

  

• Serves 12–14

🍰 For the Cake

• 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1½ tsp baking soda
• 1½ tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 tbsp instant espresso powder optional, enhances chocolate flavor

🍫 For the Chocolate Ganache Frosting

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 16 oz semi-sweet or dark chocolate chopped
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

 

Step 1: Make the Cake

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans.
• In a large bowl, whisk flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
• Add eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
• Dissolve espresso powder in boiling water and add to batter. Mix slowly until incorporated (it will be thin).
• Divide batter evenly between pans.
• Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.
• Cool in pans 10 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

Step 2: Prepare the Ganache

• Heat cream in a saucepan until just simmering.
• Pour over chopped chocolate in a bowl. Let sit 2 minutes, then stir until smooth.
• Stir in butter and a pinch of salt. Let cool until thick enough to spread.

Step 3: Assemble the Cake

• Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread ganache evenly over the top.
• Add second cake layer and frost the top and sides generously with ganache.
• Optional: Top with chocolate shavings, sprinkles, or drizzle with extra ganache.

Notes

🥄 Variations
Nutella Ganache: Replace half the chocolate with Nutella for a hazelnut twist

Peanut Butter Frosting: Swap ganache for creamy PB frosting

Mini Cakes: Make individual servings with a muffin tin

Spicy Kick: Add ¼ tsp cayenne to the batter for a Mexican chocolate vibe

Vegan Version: Use dairy-free milk, oil, and vegan ganache

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Fridge: Store covered for up to 5 days

Room Temp: Good for 1–2 days if your kitchen is cool

Freezer: Wrap slices in plastic and foil; freeze up to 2 months

Reheat: Microwave slices 15–20 seconds for a gooey texture

❓ 10 FAQs
Is it really the cake from the movie?
Inspired by it—rich, dark, and unforgettable!

What if I don’t have espresso powder?
Skip it—but it adds depth without tasting like coffee.

Can I make this ahead?
Yes—make the cake a day in advance, frost when ready.

Why is the batter so thin?
That’s normal! It leads to a moist, fudgy crumb.

What kind of chocolate is best for ganache?
Use quality semi-sweet or dark chocolate—avoid chips if possible.

Can I use store-bought frosting?
You can, but the ganache really makes it special.

Do I need a stand mixer?
No—this batter is easy to mix by hand or with a hand mixer.

Can I make it gluten-free?
Yes—use a 1:1 gluten-free flour substitute.

Can I add fillings between the layers?
Definitely! Try chocolate mousse or raspberry jam.

Will this cake hold up in the heat?
Refrigerate if serving outside—ganache softens at warm temps.

🏁 Conclusion
This Matilda’s Chocolate Cake is everything a chocolate cake should be—dense, moist, rich, and so over-the-top it could’ve come straight out of a storybook. Perfect for birthdays, special occasions, or just when life calls for cake, it’s a fudgy fantasy that never disappoints. 🍫🎂

Serve it up tall, with extra ganache and maybe a glass of milk—just like Bruce would’ve wanted. 🥛💥