Best Matilda’s Chocolate Cake – Moist, Fudgy, and Absolutely Irresistible

A dreamy chocolate cake inspired by the iconic scene from “Matilda,” complete with rich layers and a glossy fudge frosting that melts in your mouth.

🎉 Introduction

If you remember Bruce Bogtrotter’s legendary moment in Matilda, then you know exactly what kind of cake we’re talking about. This Matilda’s Chocolate Cake is no ordinary dessert—it’s a rich, fudgy, deeply satisfying creation that’s pure heaven for any chocolate lover. 🍫💫

Baked with dark cocoa, enriched with coffee (for that extra depth), and finished with a shiny, thick layer of chocolate fudge frosting, this cake is as much a showstopper as it is a comfort treat. Whether you’re serving it at a party or indulging alone, it’s the ultimate chocolate experience.

🛒 Ingredients

🍰 For the Cake

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

🍫 For the Fudge Frosting

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

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Make the 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 another bowl, whisk together oil, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla.
4. Gradually mix the wet ingredients into the dry. Slowly add in hot coffee and mix until combined (batter will be thin).
5. Divide the batter evenly between the pans.
6. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs. Let cool completely.

Step 2: Prepare the Fudge Frosting

1. In a bowl, pour hot cream over the chopped chocolate. Let it sit for 3 minutes.
2. Stir until smooth. Add butter, cocoa, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Mix until silky.
3. Let the frosting cool until spreadable (can be chilled briefly).

Step 3: Assemble the Cake

1. Level the cooled cake layers if necessary.
2. Spread a generous amount of frosting between the layers.
3. Coat the top and sides with remaining frosting, creating those signature fudgy swirls.
4. Chill for 15 minutes before slicing for clean cuts.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

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

🥄 Variations

• Cupcakes: Bake in lined cupcake pans for 18–22 minutes
• Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend
• Extra Chocolate: Add mini chocolate chips to the batter
• Ganache Topping: Pour a thin ganache over the frosted cake for extra shine
• Nutty Version: Fold in chopped walnuts or hazelnuts into the batter

🧊 Storage & Make-Ahead

• Room Temp: Keeps covered for 2 days
• Refrigerator: Up to 5 days (bring to room temp before serving)
• Freezer: Freeze slices individually for up to 2 months. Thaw before enjoying.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Why use coffee in the batter?
   Coffee enhances the chocolate flavor without making it taste like coffee.
2. Can I use natural cocoa?
   Yes, but Dutch-process gives a deeper flavor and darker color.
3. Can I make it a three-layer cake?
   Absolutely—use 3 pans or slice your baked layers in half.
4. Is it overly sweet?
   No—dark chocolate and balanced cocoa make it rich, not cloying.
5. Do I need a mixer?
   Not necessarily—whisks and elbow grease work fine.
6. What if my frosting is too soft?
   Chill it in the fridge for 10–15 minutes before spreading.
7. Can kids eat this cake?
   Yes—the coffee is subtle and used for flavor enhancement only.
8. How do I get those shiny frosting swirls?
   Use a warm spoon or spatula to create a glossy finish.
9. Can I bake it in one pan?
   Yes, but increase the baking time and check with a toothpick.
10. Can I make the cake ahead of time?
    Definitely—it tastes even better the next day.

🏁 Conclusion

This Matilda’s Chocolate Cake is the ultimate indulgence—rich, decadent, and made for serious chocolate lovers. Inspired by a movie moment that defined dessert goals, it’s perfect for birthdays, holidays, or whenever you need a slice of pure chocolate bliss.

Whether you enjoy it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or just a glass of cold milk, this cake is sure to impress. Don’t be surprised if it becomes your new favorite chocolate cake. 🍫🎂✨

Adam

Best Matilda’s Chocolate Cake – Moist, Fudgy, and Absolutely Irresistible

If you remember Bruce Bogtrotter’s legendary moment in Matilda, then you know exactly what kind of cake we’re talking about. This Matilda’s Chocolate Cake is no ordinary dessert—it’s a rich, fudgy, deeply satisfying creation that’s pure heaven for any chocolate lover. 🍫💫 Baked with dark cocoa, enriched with coffee (for that extra depth), and finished with a shiny, thick layer of chocolate fudge frosting, this cake is as much a showstopper as it is a comfort treat. Whether you’re serving it at a party or indulging alone, it’s the ultimate chocolate experience.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

bake Cooling/Chill Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 40 minutes mins

Servings: 14 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

🍰 For the Cake

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

🍫 For the Fudge Frosting

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

Method

 

Step 1: Make the 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 another bowl, whisk together oil, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla.
4. Gradually mix the wet ingredients into the dry. Slowly add in hot coffee and mix until combined (batter will be thin).
5. Divide the batter evenly between the pans.
6. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs. Let cool completely.

Step 2: Prepare the Fudge Frosting

1. In a bowl, pour hot cream over the chopped chocolate. Let it sit for 3 minutes.
2. Stir until smooth. Add butter, cocoa, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Mix until silky.
3. Let the frosting cool until spreadable (can be chilled briefly).

Step 3: Assemble the Cake

1. Level the cooled cake layers if necessary.
2. Spread a generous amount of frosting between the layers.
3. Coat the top and sides with remaining frosting, creating those signature fudgy swirls.
4. Chill for 15 minutes before slicing for clean cuts.

Notes

🥄 Variations
Cupcakes: Bake in lined cupcake pans for 18–22 minutes

Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend

Extra Chocolate: Add mini chocolate chips to the batter

Ganache Topping: Pour a thin ganache over the frosted cake for extra shine

Nutty Version: Fold in chopped walnuts or hazelnuts into the batter

🧊 Storage & Make-Ahead
Room Temp: Keeps covered for 2 days

Refrigerator: Up to 5 days (bring to room temp before serving)

Freezer: Freeze slices individually for up to 2 months. Thaw before enjoying.

❓ 10 FAQs
Why use coffee in the batter?
Coffee enhances the chocolate flavor without making it taste like coffee.

Can I use natural cocoa?
Yes, but Dutch-process gives a deeper flavor and darker color.

Can I make it a three-layer cake?
Absolutely—use 3 pans or slice your baked layers in half.

Is it overly sweet?
No—dark chocolate and balanced cocoa make it rich, not cloying.

Do I need a mixer?
Not necessarily—whisks and elbow grease work fine.

What if my frosting is too soft?
Chill it in the fridge for 10–15 minutes before spreading.

Can kids eat this cake?
Yes—the coffee is subtle and used for flavor enhancement only.

How do I get those shiny frosting swirls?
Use a warm spoon or spatula to create a glossy finish.

Can I bake it in one pan?
Yes, but increase the baking time and check with a toothpick.

Can I make the cake ahead of time?
Definitely—it tastes even better the next day.

🏁 Conclusion
This Matilda’s Chocolate Cake is the ultimate indulgence—rich, decadent, and made for serious chocolate lovers. Inspired by a movie moment that defined dessert goals, it’s perfect for birthdays, holidays, or whenever you need a slice of pure chocolate bliss.

Whether you enjoy it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or just a glass of cold milk, this cake is sure to impress. Don’t be surprised if it becomes your new favorite chocolate cake. 🍫🎂✨