Rich & Fudgy Matilda Chocolate Cake Recipe – A Decadent Movie-Inspired Dessert

A show-stopping chocolate cake with moist layers and thick fudge frosting, just like the one from the legendary Matilda scene.

🎉 Introduction

Every chocolate lover dreams of that perfect, decadent, fudge-coated cake—and Matilda’s Chocolate Cake is the ultimate fantasy turned reality. 🍰✨

This Rich & Fudgy Matilda Chocolate Cake delivers intense cocoa flavor, tender crumb, and a silky, glossy frosting that coats every bite with indulgent bliss. Inspired by the iconic scene where Bruce Bogtrotter faces off with the chocolate monster of cakes, this recipe is perfect for birthdays, holidays, or any time you need a legendary dessert to steal the show.

🛒 Ingredients

🍰 For the Chocolate 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 Fudgy Frosting

• 1 lb (16 oz) semisweet 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: Bake 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 powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk oil, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla.
4. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry. Slowly pour in the hot coffee and mix until smooth.
5. Divide batter between prepared pans and bake for 30–35 minutes.
6. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Step 2: Make the Fudge Frosting

1. Heat heavy cream until just simmering. Pour over chopped chocolate. Let sit for 3 minutes.
2. Stir until smooth and glossy.
3. Add butter, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla. Mix until thick and creamy.
4. Chill briefly until the frosting is spreadable.

Step 3: Assemble the Cake

1. Level cake layers if needed.
2. Place one layer on a cake stand and spread a thick layer of frosting.
3. Add the second cake layer and frost the top and sides.
4. Create glossy swirls and refrigerate for 20 minutes before slicing.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

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

🥄 Variations

• Add Nuts: Fold chopped walnuts into the batter
• Espresso Twist: Replace coffee with espresso for deeper flavor
• Cupcake Version: Divide batter into lined muffin tins, bake 18–22 minutes
• Triple Layer: Use three 6-inch pans for a tall, dramatic look
• Salted Top: Sprinkle with flaked sea salt for contrast

🧊 Storage & Reheating

• Room Temp: Covered, lasts 2 days
• Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days
• Freezer: Freeze wrapped slices for up to 2 months
• Reheat: Bring to room temp or microwave for 10–15 seconds for extra gooeyness

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Is the coffee flavor strong?
   No—it enhances the chocolate but doesn’t taste like coffee.
2. Can I use milk instead of buttermilk?
   Yes—add 1 tsp lemon juice to ⅔ cup milk as a substitute.
3. Can this be made gluten-free?
   Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for baking.
4. What type of chocolate is best?
   Use quality semisweet or dark chocolate for the richest result.
5. Why Dutch-process cocoa?
   It gives a deeper color and smoother taste.
6. Can I make it ahead?
   Yes—assemble the day before and chill overnight.
7. Can I skip the frosting?
   The frosting is part of the magic, but you can dust with powdered sugar instead.
8. Do I need a stand mixer?
   No—a hand mixer or strong whisk works fine.
9. Why does the batter seem thin?
   That’s normal—it helps create the moist texture.
10. How do I cut clean slices?
    Use a warm knife and wipe between cuts.

🏁 Conclusion

This Rich & Fudgy Matilda Chocolate Cake is more than a dessert—it’s a celebration of chocolate. With its moist layers, luscious frosting, and iconic look, it’s the kind of cake people talk about long after the last slice is gone.

Bake it for your next party, rainy day indulgence, or just because you deserve it. 💖🍫🎂

Adam

Rich & Fudgy Matilda Chocolate Cake Recipe – A Decadent Movie-Inspired Dessert

Every chocolate lover dreams of that perfect, decadent, fudge-coated cake—and Matilda’s Chocolate Cake is the ultimate fantasy turned reality. 🍰✨ This Rich & Fudgy Matilda Chocolate Cake delivers intense cocoa flavor, tender crumb, and a silky, glossy frosting that coats every bite with indulgent bliss. Inspired by the iconic scene where Bruce Bogtrotter faces off with the chocolate monster of cakes, this recipe is perfect for birthdays, holidays, or any time you need a legendary dessert to steal the show.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cool & Assemble & Bake Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 40 minutes mins

Servings: 14 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

🍰 For the Chocolate 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 Fudgy Frosting

• 1 lb 16 oz semisweet 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: Bake 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 powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk oil, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla.
4. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry. Slowly pour in the hot coffee and mix until smooth.
5. Divide batter between prepared pans and bake for 30–35 minutes.
6. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Step 2: Make the Fudge Frosting

1. Heat heavy cream until just simmering. Pour over chopped chocolate. Let sit for 3 minutes.
2. Stir until smooth and glossy.
3. Add butter, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla. Mix until thick and creamy.
4. Chill briefly until the frosting is spreadable.

Step 3: Assemble the Cake

1. Level cake layers if needed.
2. Place one layer on a cake stand and spread a thick layer of frosting.
3. Add the second cake layer and frost the top and sides.
4. Create glossy swirls and refrigerate for 20 minutes before slicing.

Notes

🥄 Variations
Add Nuts: Fold chopped walnuts into the batter

Espresso Twist: Replace coffee with espresso for deeper flavor

Cupcake Version: Divide batter into lined muffin tins, bake 18–22 minutes

Triple Layer: Use three 6-inch pans for a tall, dramatic look

Salted Top: Sprinkle with flaked sea salt for contrast

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Room Temp: Covered, lasts 2 days

Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days

Freezer: Freeze wrapped slices for up to 2 months

Reheat: Bring to room temp or microwave for 10–15 seconds for extra gooeyness

❓ 10 FAQs
Is the coffee flavor strong?
No—it enhances the chocolate but doesn’t taste like coffee.

Can I use milk instead of buttermilk?
Yes—add 1 tsp lemon juice to ⅔ cup milk as a substitute.

Can this be made gluten-free?
Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for baking.

What type of chocolate is best?
Use quality semisweet or dark chocolate for the richest result.

Why Dutch-process cocoa?
It gives a deeper color and smoother taste.

Can I make it ahead?
Yes—assemble the day before and chill overnight.

Can I skip the frosting?
The frosting is part of the magic, but you can dust with powdered sugar instead.

Do I need a stand mixer?
No—a hand mixer or strong whisk works fine.

Why does the batter seem thin?
That’s normal—it helps create the moist texture.

How do I cut clean slices?
Use a warm knife and wipe between cuts.

🏁 Conclusion
This Rich & Fudgy Matilda Chocolate Cake is more than a dessert—it’s a celebration of chocolate. With its moist layers, luscious frosting, and iconic look, it’s the kind of cake people talk about long after the last slice is gone.

Bake it for your next party, rainy day indulgence, or just because you deserve it. 💖🍫🎂