Description
This is the legendary Matilda chocolate cake—ultra-moist, intensely chocolatey, and covered in thick, glossy fudge frosting just like the movie. Rich, tender, and outrageously decadent, this cake is every chocolate lover’s dream.
Ingredients
Chocolate Cake
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup hot coffee or hot water
Chocolate Fudge Frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 3½ cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pans: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and line them with parchment paper to ensure easy cake release.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
- Add wet ingredients: Add the eggs, whole milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Beat the mixture until the batter is smooth and uniform.
- Incorporate hot liquid: Slowly pour in the hot coffee or hot water while mixing. Note that the batter will be thin, which is expected for this recipe.
- Divide and bake: Evenly divide the batter between the prepared cake pans. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs.
- Cool the cakes: Remove the cakes from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pans before frosting.
- Make the frosting – melt butter and chocolate: In a saucepan or microwave, melt the unsalted butter and semi-sweet chocolate chips together until smooth and combined.
- Add cocoa powder: Whisk in the cocoa powder until fully integrated into the melted mixture.
- Incorporate powdered sugar: Gradually beat in the powdered sugar to the chocolate mixture, mixing thoroughly to avoid lumps.
- Add cream and flavoring: Pour in the heavy cream, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt, then beat the frosting until it becomes thick, glossy, and spreadable.
- Assemble the cake: Place one cooled cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a generous thick layer of fudge frosting evenly over the top.
- Add second layer and frost: Position the second cake layer on top, then frost the top and sides of the cake generously with the remaining fudge frosting.
- Optional decoration: Use a spatula or knife to swirl the frosting thickly on top to create the classic Matilda chocolate cake look.
Notes
- Coffee enhances the chocolate flavor without imparting a coffee taste.
- The cake tastes even better the next day once flavors meld.
- Store the cake covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Serve with cold milk for the full classic Matilda chocolate cake experience.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert · Cake
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
