Mini Matilda Chocolate Cake – Rich, Fudgy, and Totally Magical

A decadent small-scale version of the iconic Matilda chocolate cake—moist, deeply chocolatey, and perfect for one or two lucky chocoholics!

🎉 Introduction

Inspired by the unforgettable scene from Matilda (1996), this Mini Matilda Chocolate Cake brings the rich, fudgy glory of Bruce Bogtrotter’s dream dessert into your kitchen—but in a perfectly portioned mini size. 🍰✨

Moist, intense, and slathered with glossy chocolate ganache, this cake is ideal for special moments when you want big chocolate flavor in a small, satisfying package. Bonus: no sharing required (unless you really, really want to)!

🛒 Ingredients

(Makes one 4–5 inch cake or 2 mini ramekin cakes)

🍫 For the Mini Chocolate Cake

• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch-processed or natural)
• ¼ tsp baking powder
• ⅛ tsp salt
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup buttermilk (or milk + ½ tsp vinegar)
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil or melted butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ cup hot coffee (or hot water)

🍫 For the Chocolate Ganache

• ⅓ cup heavy cream
• ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
• ½ tbsp butter (optional for shine)

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Make the Cake Batter

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 4–5 inch round cake pan or ramekins.
2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
3. In another bowl, whisk egg, sugars, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla.
4. Add dry ingredients into wet and stir until just combined.
5. Slowly stir in hot coffee until batter is smooth.

Step 2: Bake

1. Pour batter into prepared pan(s).
2. Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
3. Let cool for 10 minutes, then remove from pan and cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 3: Make the Ganache

1. Heat cream in a saucepan or microwave until just simmering.
2. Pour over chocolate chips and let sit 2 minutes.
3. Stir until smooth. Add butter for extra gloss.

Step 4: Assemble the Mini Cake

1. If desired, slice cake in half horizontally to fill with ganache.
2. Pour ganache over the top, letting it drip down the sides.
3. Chill for 10–15 minutes to set, or serve warm and gooey!

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 1–2
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Bake Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: ~40 minutes (including cooling)

🥄 Variations

• Single Serve Ramekins: Bake in two ramekins for layered mini desserts
• Peanut Butter Core: Add a spoonful of peanut butter to the center before baking
• Mint Twist: Add ¼ tsp mint extract to batter and ganache
• Vegan Version: Use plant milk + vinegar, egg replacer, and dairy-free chocolate
• Double Trouble: Double ingredients for a 6-inch cake version

🧊 Storage & Reheating

• Fridge: Store covered up to 3 days
• Reheat: Microwave for 10–15 seconds to soften ganache
• Freezer: Freeze unfrosted cake for up to 2 months

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I make this without coffee?
   Yes—hot water works just fine. Coffee just deepens the chocolate flavor.
2. What pan size works best?
   A 4 or 5-inch round pan or two small ramekins.
3. Can I use a microwave to make this?
   You could adapt it to a mug cake, but oven results are better.
4. Can I skip the ganache?
   It’s what makes it Matilda-style! But yes—you can frost with regular icing.
5. Is it super sweet?
   It’s rich and balanced—use dark chocolate in ganache if you prefer less sweetness.
6. Can I make this ahead?
   Yes—bake a day ahead and frost before serving.
7. Do I need to refrigerate it?
   Only if not eating within a day or two.
8. Can I turn this into cupcakes?
   Yes! Divide batter into 3–4 cupcake liners and bake 15–18 minutes.
9. How do I get clean slices?
   Chill before slicing, and use a sharp, warm knife.
10. What’s the best way to serve it?
    With a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of cream!

🏁 Conclusion

This Mini Matilda Chocolate Cake packs all the drama, flavor, and fudgy decadence of the classic movie dessert—but sized just right for a personal chocolate celebration. It’s easy, satisfying, and sure to leave you craving just one more bite. 🎬🍫

Ready your forks, press play on Matilda, and enjoy every gooey, ganache-drenched forkful!

Adam

Mini Matilda Chocolate Cake – Rich, Fudgy, and Totally Magical

Inspired by the unforgettable scene from Matilda (1996), this Mini Matilda Chocolate Cake brings the rich, fudgy glory of Bruce Bogtrotter’s dream dessert into your kitchen—but in a perfectly portioned mini size. 🍰✨ Moist, intense, and slathered with glossy chocolate ganache, this cake is ideal for special moments when you want big chocolate flavor in a small, satisfying package. Bonus: no sharing required (unless you really, really want to)!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

bake time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 2 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• Makes one 4–5 inch cake or 2 mini ramekin cakes

🍫 For the Mini Chocolate Cake

• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder Dutch-processed or natural
• ¼ tsp baking powder
• ⅛ tsp salt
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup buttermilk or milk + ½ tsp vinegar
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil or melted butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ cup hot coffee or hot water

🍫 For the Chocolate Ganache

• ⅓ cup heavy cream
• ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
• ½ tbsp butter optional for shine

Method

 

Step 1: Make the Cake Batter

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 4–5 inch round cake pan or ramekins.
2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
3. In another bowl, whisk egg, sugars, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla.
4. Add dry ingredients into wet and stir until just combined.
5. Slowly stir in hot coffee until batter is smooth.

Step 2: Bake

1. Pour batter into prepared pan(s).
2. Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
3. Let cool for 10 minutes, then remove from pan and cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 3: Make the Ganache

1. Heat cream in a saucepan or microwave until just simmering.
2. Pour over chocolate chips and let sit 2 minutes.
3. Stir until smooth. Add butter for extra gloss.

Step 4: Assemble the Mini Cake

1. If desired, slice cake in half horizontally to fill with ganache.
2. Pour ganache over the top, letting it drip down the sides.
3. Chill for 10–15 minutes to set, or serve warm and gooey!

Notes

🥄 Variations
Single Serve Ramekins: Bake in two ramekins for layered mini desserts

Peanut Butter Core: Add a spoonful of peanut butter to the center before baking

Mint Twist: Add ¼ tsp mint extract to batter and ganache

Vegan Version: Use plant milk + vinegar, egg replacer, and dairy-free chocolate

Double Trouble: Double ingredients for a 6-inch cake version

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Fridge: Store covered up to 3 days

Reheat: Microwave for 10–15 seconds to soften ganache

Freezer: Freeze unfrosted cake for up to 2 months

❓ 10 FAQs
Can I make this without coffee?
Yes—hot water works just fine. Coffee just deepens the chocolate flavor.

What pan size works best?
A 4 or 5-inch round pan or two small ramekins.

Can I use a microwave to make this?
You could adapt it to a mug cake, but oven results are better.

Can I skip the ganache?
It’s what makes it Matilda-style! But yes—you can frost with regular icing.

Is it super sweet?
It’s rich and balanced—use dark chocolate in ganache if you prefer less sweetness.

Can I make this ahead?
Yes—bake a day ahead and frost before serving.

Do I need to refrigerate it?
Only if not eating within a day or two.

Can I turn this into cupcakes?
Yes! Divide batter into 3–4 cupcake liners and bake 15–18 minutes.

How do I get clean slices?
Chill before slicing, and use a sharp, warm knife.

What’s the best way to serve it?
With a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of cream!

🏁 Conclusion
This Mini Matilda Chocolate Cake packs all the drama, flavor, and fudgy decadence of the classic movie dessert—but sized just right for a personal chocolate celebration. It’s easy, satisfying, and sure to leave you craving just one more bite. 🎬🍫

Ready your forks, press play on Matilda, and enjoy every gooey, ganache-drenched forkful!