Best Matilda’s Chocolate Cake – Deeply Fudgy, Moist & Magical

A rich, velvety chocolate cake layered with a glossy fudge frosting, inspired by the iconic scene from “Matilda.” It’s every chocolate lover’s dream dessert!

🎉 Introduction

If you’ve ever seen Matilda and dreamed of sinking your fork into that luscious, over-the-top chocolate cake Bruce Bogtrotter devoured, this recipe is for you. This Matilda’s Chocolate Cake delivers a moist, dense crumb and ultra-fudgy frosting that makes every bite a pure indulgence.

Whether you’re baking it for a birthday, holiday, or just a midnight craving, this cake is legendary for a reason—it’s rich, satisfying, and absolutely unforgettable.

🛒 Ingredients

🍰 Chocolate Cake Layers (Two 8-inch pans)

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1¾ cups granulated sugar
• ½ cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ⅔ cup vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs
• ⅔ cup buttermilk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup hot strong brewed coffee

🍫 Fudge Frosting

• 1 lb semisweet or dark chocolate, chopped
• 1⅓ cups heavy cream
• 11 tbsp unsalted butter
• ⅓ cup cocoa powder
• 1⅓ cups powdered sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Bake the Chocolate Cake

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk oil, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients, then slowly stir in the hot coffee.
5. Divide batter evenly into pans.
6. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs. Cool completely.

Step 2: Make the Fudge Frosting

1. Heat cream until just boiling. Pour over chopped chocolate in a bowl and let sit 3 minutes.
2. Stir until smooth. Add softened butter, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla.
3. Mix until silky. Chill frosting until it thickens enough to spread.

Step 3: Assemble the Cake

1. Trim cake layers if needed for evenness.
2. Place one cake layer on a stand, spread frosting generously on top.
3. Add second layer, then frost top and sides with remaining frosting.
4. Swirl frosting decoratively and let sit for 20 minutes before slicing.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 12–14
• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Bake Time: 35 minutes
• Assembly & Chill Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: ~1 hour 40 minutes

🥄 Variations

• Three Layers: Divide batter into three 6-inch pans for a taller cake
• Cupcakes: Bake in lined cupcake tins for 18–22 minutes
• Bundt Style: Use a well-greased Bundt pan and extend baking by 10–15 minutes
• Nutty Touch: Fold in chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter
• Frosting Twist: Add a splash of espresso or almond extract for depth

🧊 Storage & Make-Ahead

• Room Temperature: Store covered for 2 days
• Refrigerator: Keeps up to 5 days—bring to room temp before serving
• Freezer: Wrap individual slices and freeze up to 2 months

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I skip the coffee?
   You can use hot water instead, but coffee intensifies the chocolate flavor.
2. Is the cake overly sweet?
   Not at all—the dark chocolate balances it beautifully.
3. Can I make this gluten-free?
   Yes—use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
4. How do I get glossy frosting?
   Don’t overwhip—stop once it’s smooth and shiny.
5. Can I make it ahead?
   Yes—bake and frost the day before for better flavor.
6. Can kids eat this with coffee?
   Yes—the taste is mild and caffeine minimal in each slice.
7. What’s the best way to slice it cleanly?
   Use a hot knife (dipped in warm water, then dried).
8. Do I need Dutch-process cocoa?
   It’s preferred for richness, but unsweetened natural cocoa also works.
9. Can I double the recipe?
   Absolutely—just use a larger pan or make multiple cakes.
10. Is this cake good for birthdays?
    It’s perfect! Just add candles and your favorite decorations.

🏁 Conclusion

This Matilda’s Chocolate Cake is a celebration in every slice—fudgy, rich, and unforgettable. Whether you’re reliving a movie moment or baking for someone special, it’s the ultimate chocolate cake that always steals the spotlight.

Cut thick slices, grab a tall glass of milk, and dive into the dessert of your dreams. 🍫🎂✨

Adam

Best Matilda’s Chocolate Cake – Deeply Fudgy, Moist & Magical

If you’ve ever seen Matilda and dreamed of sinking your fork into that luscious, over-the-top chocolate cake Bruce Bogtrotter devoured, this recipe is for you. This Matilda’s Chocolate Cake delivers a moist, dense crumb and ultra-fudgy frosting that makes every bite a pure indulgence. Whether you’re baking it for a birthday, holiday, or just a midnight craving, this cake is legendary for a reason—it’s rich, satisfying, and absolutely unforgettable.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Assembly & Chill & Bake Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 40 minutes mins

Servings: 14 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

🍰 Chocolate Cake Layers (Two 8-inch pans)

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1¾ cups granulated sugar
• ½ cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ⅔ cup vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs
• ⅔ cup buttermilk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup hot strong brewed coffee

🍫 Fudge Frosting

• 1 lb semisweet or dark chocolate chopped
• 1⅓ cups heavy cream
• 11 tbsp unsalted butter
• ⅓ cup cocoa powder
• 1⅓ cups powdered sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Method

 

Step 1: Bake the Chocolate Cake

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk oil, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients, then slowly stir in the hot coffee.
5. Divide batter evenly into pans.
6. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs. Cool completely.

Step 2: Make the Fudge Frosting

1. Heat cream until just boiling. Pour over chopped chocolate in a bowl and let sit 3 minutes.
2. Stir until smooth. Add softened butter, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla.
3. Mix until silky. Chill frosting until it thickens enough to spread.

Step 3: Assemble the Cake

1. Trim cake layers if needed for evenness.
2. Place one cake layer on a stand, spread frosting generously on top.
3. Add second layer, then frost top and sides with remaining frosting.
4. Swirl frosting decoratively and let sit for 20 minutes before slicing.

Notes

🥄 Variations
Three Layers: Divide batter into three 6-inch pans for a taller cake

Cupcakes: Bake in lined cupcake tins for 18–22 minutes

Bundt Style: Use a well-greased Bundt pan and extend baking by 10–15 minutes

Nutty Touch: Fold in chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter

Frosting Twist: Add a splash of espresso or almond extract for depth

🧊 Storage & Make-Ahead
Room Temperature: Store covered for 2 days

Refrigerator: Keeps up to 5 days—bring to room temp before serving

Freezer: Wrap individual slices and freeze up to 2 months

❓ 10 FAQs
Can I skip the coffee?
You can use hot water instead, but coffee intensifies the chocolate flavor.

Is the cake overly sweet?
Not at all—the dark chocolate balances it beautifully.

Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes—use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.

How do I get glossy frosting?
Don’t overwhip—stop once it’s smooth and shiny.

Can I make it ahead?
Yes—bake and frost the day before for better flavor.

Can kids eat this with coffee?
Yes—the taste is mild and caffeine minimal in each slice.

What’s the best way to slice it cleanly?
Use a hot knife (dipped in warm water, then dried).

Do I need Dutch-process cocoa?
It’s preferred for richness, but unsweetened natural cocoa also works.

Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely—just use a larger pan or make multiple cakes.

Is this cake good for birthdays?
It’s perfect! Just add candles and your favorite decorations.

🏁 Conclusion
This Matilda’s Chocolate Cake is a celebration in every slice—fudgy, rich, and unforgettable. Whether you’re reliving a movie moment or baking for someone special, it’s the ultimate chocolate cake that always steals the spotlight.

Cut thick slices, grab a tall glass of milk, and dive into the dessert of your dreams. 🍫🎂✨