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    Home Β» Recipes Β» Dessert

    Published: Feb 18, 2021 Β· Last Modified: Aug 23, 2023 by kelsey

    Matilda Chocolate Cake

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    Matilda Chocolate Cake gets its name from the classic 1996 movie, "Matilda." Its moist chocolate cake layers are covered in a smooth, glossy frosting making it a decadent dessert perfect for any celebration!

    Jump to Recipe
    Slice of Chocolate Layer Cake

    If there’s an iconic chocolate cake, the one from β€œMatilda” would have to be it! There's a scene (and trust me, I remember it clearly as this is one of my favorite movies!!) where Bruce Bogtrotter eats an ENTIRE cake in front of the student body.

    But not just any kind of chocolate cake.Β  It’s gotta have dense, moist, chocolate-y cake layers with swirls of glossy chocolate frosting to really replicate that chocolate cake scene!

    After some trial and error, I can honestly tell you that this is THE BEST chocolate cake I’ve ever eaten.Β  Yeah, that’s a big statement…and I mean it 1000%.Β  It starts with my Homemade Chocolate Layer Cake base, which has been my go-to dark chocolate cake for years.Β  But what makes this delicious recipe extra special is that fudgy, glossy frosting!Β  Mmmmm!!

    Close-up of chocolate frosting

    Ingredients Needed (Amounts in Recipe Card Below)

    • All-Purpose Flour
    • Sugar
    • Cocoa Powder - Unsweetened natural cocoa powder (not dutch cocoa powder)
    • Salt
    • Baking Powder
    • Baking Soda
    • Vegetable Oil
    • Buttermilk - Store-bought orΒ make your own buttermilk; for best results, bring the buttermilk to room temperature before mixing.
    • Large Eggs - For best results, bring these to room temperature before mixing.
    • Vanilla Extract
    • Hot Coffee or Boiling Water
    • Salted Butter
    • Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
    • Heavy Cream
    • Sour Cream - Use full-fat sour cream rather than low-fat or "light"Β 

    Why do you add coffee to the cake batter?

    When you add a hot liquid to cocoa powder, it helps it β€œbloom,” meaning it enhances the flavor of the chocolate. You can β€œbloom” the chocolate with any hot liquid (milk, water, coffee, etc). However, I always choose coffee for my chocolate cake.

    Why do I use coffee? Because coffee actually brings out even more chocolate flavor. Are you concerned you’ll taste the coffee? You won’t! I know it seems odd, but really it just helps deepen the flavor of the chocolate!

    Chocolate Layer Cake with chocolate frosting on a platter

    What pan size should I use?

    You’ll see that this Matilda Chocolate Cake recipe calls for two 9” round cake pans.Β  However, there are a couple other options, too, in case you don’t have the 9” round pans:

    • 9x13” pan + 6 cupcakes
    • Three 8x8” round cake pans (baking time will beΒ several minutes less)
    • Two square 9x9” pans

    How to make Matilda Cake

    You'll start by making a homemade chocolate cake. Combine the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl (or bowl of a stand mixer) and the wet ingredients (all but the coffee) in a separate bowl. Add the wet to the dry and stir until mixed. Add the coffee in a slow steady stream and mix until combined.

    Pour the cake batter into the parchment-lined pans and bake. Take a look at the cakes after about 30-35 minutes. If it needs more time, continue to bake. Let them cool on wire racks for a few minutes before removing to a wire rack.

    When the cakes are cooled, make the frosting. The frosting is really the shining star in this fudgy chocolate cake!! Melt the butter in a saucepan then add the chocolate chips, stirring until melted.

    Add the sugar, cocoa and salt. It'll be grainy at this point but don't worry, it'll smooth out soon! Add the heavy whipping cream and sour cream and cook on low until smooth. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Let cool completely to thicken before frosting the cake.

    Fork with a bite of chocolate cake on it

    How do you store the chocolate cake?

    Matilda Chocolate Cake is really best at room temperature. Therefore, if I’ll be eating the cake soon after completing it (within a few hours), I’ll just leave it at room temperature.

    If it’s much longer than that, I'll carefully cover with plastic wrap and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Then, remove it from the fridge about an hour before serving so it comes to room temperature.

    Can I freeze leftover cake?

    Absolutely! I freeze leftover cake all the time. I typically cut my cake into slices and lay them in an airtight container with sheets of waxed paper in between. Then, when I want a piece of chocolate cake, I can easily just grab one and thaw it out! 

    Close-up of Layered Chocolate Cake

    Other Delicious Chocolate Dessert Recipes

    Fellow chocolate lovers, you know I’ve got some recipes that’ll be right up your alley!Β  Here are a feppw of the most chocolate-y and decadent!

    Chocolate Cobbler – It’s like a chocolate lava cake, but wayyyy easier and just as delicious!
    Chewy Homemade Brownies – These homemade brownies are dense, chewy, chock-full of chocolate and have a beautiful shine on top!
    Hot Chocolate Poke Cake – This poke cake has all the elements of a delicious hot cocoa!
    Cheesecake Brownies - Turn a box brownie mix into rich, fudgy brownies with a swirl of cream cheese filling!

    Connect with Dance Around the Kitchen!

    Follow us on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook so you never miss a recipe!! And as always, thank you for following along with my blog, making my recipes, liking and sharing on social media and any other way you support Dance Around the Kitchen!  -Kelsey

    Matilda Chocolate Cake

    Matilda Chocolate Cake

    Author:Kelsey
    Matilda Chocolate Cake has moist cake layers covered in a smooth, glossy frosting making it a decadent dessert perfect for any celebration!
    5 from 11 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
    Prevent your screen from going to sleep.
    Course Dessert
    Servings 20 slices
    Calories 448 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    Chocolate Cake Layers

    • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 2 cups sugar
    • ΒΎ cup cocoa powder
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 2 teaspoon baking soda
    • Β½ cup vegetable oil
    • 1 cup buttermilk
    • 2 eggs
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • 1 cup hot coffee

    Glossy Chocolate Frosting

    • Β½ cup salted butter
    • ΒΎ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
    • 1 β…“ cups sugar
    • Β½ cup cocoa powder
    • ΒΌ teaspoon salt
    • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
    • β…“ cup sour cream
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla

    Instructions
     

    Cake Layers

    • Preheat oven to 350Β°F.
    • Grease two 9" round cake pans and line the bottom with parchment paper.
    • Add flour, sugar, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder and baking soda to your mixing bowl (I use a stand mixer with the whisk attachment). Stir until combined.
    • In a medium bowl, whisk together the oil, buttermilk, eggs and vanilla. Once combined, add in the coffee slowly so you don't cook the eggs.
    • Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir slowly until combined. Then mix on high for two minutes, scraping the sides halfway through.
    • Distribute the batter between the two prepared pans.
    • Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. (A few moist crumbs sticking to the toothpick is fine, but you don't want it gooey).
    • Cool for a few minutes. Run a butter knife around the outside of each pan, and turn the cakes out onto a cooling rack.

    Glossy Chocolate Frosting

    • In a saucepan, melt the butter over low heat.
    • Add the chocolate chips and stir until melted.
    • Add the sugar, cocoa and salt and whisk together. (It will be a little bit grainy at this point, which is fine).
    • Whisk in the cream and sour cream. Continue to cook on low heat until hot and smooth, but do not let it boil.
    • Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.
    • Let the frosting cool in the fridge (it'll thicken) until it's at the right consistency.*
    • Stir the frosting until smooth and frost the cake.

    Notes

    *If the frosting thickens more than you'd like in the fridge, set it out at room temperature for a bit until it softens.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1sliceCalories: 448kcalCarbohydrates: 61gProtein: 4gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 47mgSodium: 342mgPotassium: 46mgFiber: 2gSugar: 45g
    Keyword chocolate cake, layer cake
    Tried this recipe?Follow me at @dancearoundthekitchen.kelsey and let me know how you liked it!

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    about kelsey

    About Kelsey

    Combining my love for food and family is a pretty easy calculation. Almost all family gatherings include food… After all, a party without cake is just a meeting right? Read more...

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Margaret says

      May 02, 2022 at 10:26 am

      5 stars
      I have been looking for a good Matilda Chocolate cake since I saw the movie back in 1995 or so. I tried so many recipes, non of them was even close to the flavor I pictured watching the movie, till yesterday.

      I cannot say how GOOD is this recipe. It's the best chocolate cake ever.

      Thank you so much for sharing.

      Reply
      • kelsey says

        May 04, 2022 at 3:18 pm

        So so so happy you loved it, Margaret!! πŸ™‚ -Kelsey

        Reply
    2. J. Wilson says

      June 07, 2022 at 6:38 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is replacing 3 of my favorite chocolate cake recipes. I also had an issue with frosting thickening up. But I've used the frosting on a cake baked in a13x9 pan.After slicing, the frosting just slides down the sides to give you something to kind of dip your cake into. Best cake I ever made!

      Reply
      • kelsey says

        June 09, 2022 at 3:31 pm

        This made my day!! πŸ™‚ So so so glad you enjoy this cake! ~Kelsey

        Reply
    3. Mirell says

      June 21, 2022 at 4:22 pm

      Ive been using this recipe for years now! Seriously the best cakes ive ever made!!

      Reply
      • kelsey says

        June 22, 2022 at 2:17 pm

        I couldn't agree more. Just used the recipe for cupcakes the morning - so good! πŸ™‚

        Reply
    4. Dave Coron says

      November 20, 2022 at 7:32 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is very delicious. I have also seen the Matilda Play and have always wanted to make this cake ever since.

      Reply
      • kelsey says

        November 23, 2022 at 3:52 pm

        We just saw the Matilda play in a nearby town earlier this year - it was fantastic! And totally made me want a slice of this cake again! πŸ™‚ Glad you enjoyed it! -Kelsey

        Reply
    5. Joy says

      November 24, 2022 at 9:43 pm

      Hi Kelsey, I’m so excited to make this for my Bestie’s 50th!
      One question. For the frosting is it granular sugar or confectioners?
      Many thanks.

      Reply
      • kelsey says

        December 12, 2022 at 11:47 am

        Hi Joy!! It is in fact granular sugar. When you cook the frosting, it'll make it nice and smooth! πŸ™‚ -Kelsey

        Reply
    6. Dawn Cannon says

      December 23, 2022 at 4:15 pm

      What kind of coffee do you recommend?

      Reply
      • kelsey says

        December 27, 2022 at 3:13 pm

        My husband drinks Columbian coffee, so that's what we typically have on hand! πŸ™‚

        Reply
    7. Brooke Jordan says

      January 22, 2023 at 9:00 pm

      When you say cream, do you mean heavy whipping cream?

      Reply
      • kelsey says

        January 23, 2023 at 2:53 pm

        Yes! I just changed the recipe to clarify! πŸ™‚

        Reply
    8. Shelly Kirgiss says

      January 27, 2023 at 1:18 pm

      5 stars
      This is the best chocolate cake I’ve ever made. My family requests this for their birthdays.

      Reply
      • kelsey says

        February 13, 2023 at 3:22 pm

        I love hearing that!!! Nothing is better than a really great chocolate cake on a birthday! πŸ™‚

        Reply
    9. Linda Perry says

      June 15, 2023 at 6:10 pm

      5 stars
      I made this cake for my son’s birthday and he, my husband and I LOVED LOVED LOVED IT! Will definitely make it again!

      Reply
    10. Stephanie Revere says

      June 24, 2023 at 9:13 am

      5 stars
      My family thinks this is the best cake recipe I have ever made. Very delicious and a real treat!

      Reply
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