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!
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If thereβs an iconic chocolate cake, the one from βMatildaβ 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 Itβs 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 Iβve ever eaten.Β Yeah, thatβs a big statementβ¦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!!
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 βbloom,β meaning it enhances the flavor of the chocolate. You can βbloomβ 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 youβll taste the coffee? You wonβt! I know it seems odd, but really it just helps deepen the flavor of the chocolate!
What pan size should I use?
Youβll see that this Matilda Chocolate Cake recipe calls for two 9β round cake pans.Β However, there are a couple other options, too, in case you donβt have the 9β round pans:
- 9x13β pan + 6 cupcakes
- Three 8x8β round cake pans (baking time will beΒ several minutes less)
- Two square 9x9β 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.
How do you store the chocolate cake?
Matilda Chocolate Cake is really best at room temperature. Therefore, if Iβll be eating the cake soon after completing it (within a few hours), Iβll just leave it at room temperature.
If itβs 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!
Other Delicious Chocolate Dessert Recipes
Fellow chocolate lovers, you know Iβve got some recipes thatβll be right up your alley!Β Here are a feppw of the most chocolate-y and decadent!
Chocolate Cobbler β Itβs like a chocolate lava cake, but wayyyy easier and just as delicious!
Chewy Homemade Brownies β These homemade brownies are dense, chewy, chock-full of chocolate and have a beautiful shine on top!
Hot Chocolate Poke Cake β 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!
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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
Margaret says
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.
kelsey says
So so so happy you loved it, Margaret!! π -Kelsey
J. Wilson says
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!
kelsey says
This made my day!! π So so so glad you enjoy this cake! ~Kelsey
Mirell says
Ive been using this recipe for years now! Seriously the best cakes ive ever made!!
kelsey says
I couldn't agree more. Just used the recipe for cupcakes the morning - so good! π
Dave Coron says
This recipe is very delicious. I have also seen the Matilda Play and have always wanted to make this cake ever since.
kelsey says
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! π Glad you enjoyed it! -Kelsey
Joy says
Hi Kelsey, Iβm so excited to make this for my Bestieβs 50th!
One question. For the frosting is it granular sugar or confectioners?
Many thanks.
kelsey says
Hi Joy!! It is in fact granular sugar. When you cook the frosting, it'll make it nice and smooth! π -Kelsey
Dawn Cannon says
What kind of coffee do you recommend?
kelsey says
My husband drinks Columbian coffee, so that's what we typically have on hand! π
Brooke Jordan says
When you say cream, do you mean heavy whipping cream?
kelsey says
Yes! I just changed the recipe to clarify! π
Shelly Kirgiss says
This is the best chocolate cake Iβve ever made. My family requests this for their birthdays.
kelsey says
I love hearing that!!! Nothing is better than a really great chocolate cake on a birthday! π
Linda Perry says
I made this cake for my sonβs birthday and he, my husband and I LOVED LOVED LOVED IT! Will definitely make it again!
Stephanie Revere says
My family thinks this is the best cake recipe I have ever made. Very delicious and a real treat!