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!

If there’s an iconic chocolate cake, the one from “Matilda” 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.  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.  Yeah, that’s a big statement…and I mean it 1000%.  It starts with my Homemade Chocolate Layer Cake base, which has been my go-to dark chocolate cake for years.  But what makes this delicious recipe extra special is that fudgy, glossy frosting!  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 or 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 

Why do you add coffee to the cake batter?

When you add a hot liquid to cocoa powder, it helps it “bloom,” meaning it enhances the flavor of the chocolate. You can “bloom” 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!

What pan size should I use?

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

• 9×13” pan + 6 cupcakes
• Three 8×8” round cake pans (baking time will be several minutes less)
• Two square 9×9” 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 one batch of my Glossy Chocolate Frosting and spread it between the layers and on top! The frosting is really the shining star in this fudgy chocolate cake!!

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! 

Other Delicious Chocolate Dessert Recipes

Fellow chocolate lovers, you know I’ve got some recipes that’ll be right up your alley!  Here are a few 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!