Easy Matilda's chocolate cake inspired by the Matilda chocolate cake scene! One of the best Matilda's chocolate cake recipes -- if you've ever been just a little jealous of the Matilda chocolate cake boy in the movie, THIS is the cake for you!
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And if you like this cake, you'll love my S'mores Brownies, my Peach Mango Pie, and my Triple Chocolate Brownies!
Matilda's Chocolate Cake Recipe
Remember that Matilda chocolate cake? It's all about that perfect combo of cocoa, oil, and sugar – makes it crazy moist and packed with rich chocolatey flavor that's just unbeatable. Seriously, it's like a slice of heaven on a plate, no wonder everyone wants to eat the entire cake! If you're a chocolate lover, you'll adore this cake!
These chocolate fudge cake layers are based on my Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting, and this recipe is also similar to my Chocolate Spice Cake and my Chocolate Orange Cake! It's the perfect birthday cake -- truly the chocolate cake of your dreams!
What is the famous Matilda cake?
In an unforgettable scene in the 1996 film Matilda, based on a classic children's book by Roald Dahl, a young boy named Bruce Bogtrotter is forced to eat a whole fudgy chocolate cake in front of the whole school as a punishment from the antagonist, Miss Trunchbull.
While Bruce's task was a tough one, there is no denying that that chocolate fudge cake looked DELICIOUS! For those of us with a sweet tooth, it's not that far off to imagine eating a whole chocolate cake in one sitting.
And this Matilda chocolate fudge cake recipe is inspired by the Matilda cake scene -- layers of moist chocolate cake are draped in silky smooth fudge frosting, and it's truly the perfect chocolate cake!
What is special about Matilda cake?
In Roald Dahl's book, the cake itself is described as being incredibly rich and indulgent, with layers of moist chocolate sponge and a decadent chocolate frosting or ganache. This chocolate fudge cake is the best recreation of that delicious cake, and it's truly the best chocolate cake ever!
In the story, the cake symbolizes defiance against authority and the triumph of the underdog, as Bruce's ability to finish the cake despite the odds becomes a moment of victory and solidarity among the students.
What is the chocolate cake from Matilda made of?
While we don't know the exact ingredients of the cake Bruce ate, this Matilda chocolate cake is made from simple ingredients and it's so easy! Here's everything you'll need to make a Matilda chocolate cake recipe from scratch:
- cake release - use a cooking spray or baking spray, as well as parchment paper rounds, to prep your cake pans.
- white sugar - I like to use white granulated sugar in this Matilda chocolate cake recipe for a delicious sweetness!
- all-purpose flour - Measure your all-purpose flour by weight with a kitchen scale to make sure you don't accidentally add too much.
- cocoa powder - for this easy Matildas chocolate cake recipe, we're going for unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder to give it a richer chocolate flavor.
- baking powder and baking soda - leavening agents like baking powder and baking soda add a nice lift to this cake!
- salt - adding just a bit of salt brings out the chocolatey flavors and offsets the sweetness in Matilda's chocolate cake recipes!
- oil - we're using vegetable oil instead of butter which makes our Matilda chocolate cake recipe easy and moist!
- eggs - make sure your eggs are at room temperature before you mix them in. If they feel cold to the touch, submerge them in a bowl of lukewarm water for 15 minutes.
- vanilla - for the best flavor, I like to use pure vanilla extract. Or you can make your own!
- full-fat buttermilk - like your eggs, your buttermilk should be at room temperature.
- hot coffee - this is a trick to help bring out those chocolatey flavors even more!
Then, we're topping our cake with a super easy, glossy chocolate fudge frosting. Details and instructions are in my Chocolate Fudge Frosting post, but here's what you'll need:
- heavy cream - serves as the base for this glossy fudge frosting.
- unsweetened cocoa powder - it can be regular unsweetened cocoa powder or unsweetened Dutch process cocoa powder.
- bittersweet chocolate - about 60% cacao bittersweet chocolate will work. I use the Ghirardelli baking bars.
- salted butter - you can also use unsalted butter -- just add salt to taste at the end.
- powdered sugar - adds sweetness and gives this frosting its structure.
- espresso powder - deepens the chocolate flavor and adds a bit of complexity.
- vanilla extract - as above, be sure to use pure vanilla extract. Or you can make your own!
See recipe card below for quantities.
Equipment
We'll be making this moist cake in two 8-inch round cake pans. And since this Maltida chocolate cake recipe is an easy one-bowl recipe, you won't need a mixer at all!
I just recommend a large mixing bowl, a whisk, and a rubber spatula for mixing. You may also want to have a wire rack to help the cake cool more quickly. And of course, I always recommend a kitchen scale for measuring dry ingredients.
Chocolate Fudge Cake Recipe Instructions
The recipe card below will give you detailed step-by-step instructions for making this cake, as well as full ingredient measurements and a recipe video! But here's a quick look at how you'll make this Matilda chocolate fudge cake recipe!
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Add wet ingredients -- first stir in oil to coat dry ingredients, then mix in eggs and buttermilk, mixing well with a rubber spatula after each addition.
Pour in hot coffee and mix gently until mixture is just combined.
Pour cake batter evenly into prepared cake pans and bake!
Prepare chocolate fudge frosting and allow to cool to room temperature.
Spread frosting all over cooled chocolate fudge cake, on the sides of the cake and swirl frosting on the top of the cake!
Hint: Be sure to let the dark chocolate cake layers cool completely before adding frosting. I like to wrap them in plastic wrap while still warm, then let them cool in the fridge overnight. This makes sure they cool completely, and the plastic wrap retains moisture.
How to Store Matilda's Chocolate Fudge Cake
Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days - I like to put cakes in my Libbey domed cake stand.
Also, this Matilda chocolate fudge cake recipe freezes very well -- it's best frozen in individual slices to make thawing easier. First, place slices in the freezer until frozen solid, then wrap in plastic wrap and then in heavy duty foil. Then freeze for up to two months and thaw, uncovered, at room temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who eats the Matilda chocolate cake? The boy in the book and movie is named Bruce Bogtrotter, and he eats that entire chocolate cake in one sitting! To be honest, isn't there a bit of Bruce Bogtrotter inside all of us when those chocolate cravings hit?
Definitely as a reference to the movie Matilda where the famous scene with Bruce Bogtrotter took place! This moist chocolate fudge cake is the perfect not to the Matilda chocolate cake scene!
You can most likely get lots of cakes inspired by the Matilda chocolate cake boy, Bruce, but this Matilda chocolate cake recipe is easy to make yourself, and SO delicious! Give it a try and let me know what you think!
If you love the glossy frosting on this chocolate fudge cake, you'll have to check out my Samoas Cookie Pie or my Peanut Buster Parfait Ice Cream Pie for their amazing chocolate ganache topping! Or try my Protein Mug Cake for another easy single-serve high protein treat!
Top Tip
Don't forget to measure your flour by weight with a kitchen scale! It'll help ensure accurate measurements and prevent a dry cake!
Related
Looking for other recipes like this one? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with this recipe:
If you try this recipe, I would love it if you could leave a star review rating and comment below! It’s so wonderful hearing your feedback! And don’t forget to share your creations with me by tagging @chenee_today on Instagram!
📖 Recipe
Equipment you may need
Ingredients
- baking spray
- 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (85 g) unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon (6 g) baking powder
- ½ teaspoon (2 g) baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon (5 g) salt
- ¾ cup (177 ml) vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs - room temperature
- 2 teaspoon (10 ml) pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup (237 ml) buttermilk - room temperature
- 1 cup (237 ml) hot brewed coffee
- Chocolate Fudge Frosting
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper and spray with baking spray.baking spray
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.2 cups all-purpose flour, ¾ cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder, 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ¾ teaspoon salt, 2 cups granulated sugar
- Stir in vegetable oil until dry ingredients are well coated, followed by eggs and vanilla.¾ cup vegetable oil, 2 large eggs, 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Stir in buttermilk until combined, then carefully pour in hot coffee and stir until smooth.1 cup buttermilk, 1 cup hot brewed coffee
- Add batter evenly to prepared cake pans and bake in preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick entered into the center of the cakes comes out smooth or with moist crumbs.
- Cool cake layers slightly in cake pans, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before adding Chocolate Fudge Frosting.
- Prepare frosting as detailed in Chocolate Fudge Frosting post.Chocolate Fudge Frosting
- Spread frosting over cooled cake layers.
Video
Notes
- Buttermilk Substitute - Measure out 1 cup of whole milk and replace 1 tablespoon of it with lemon juice or vinegar. Then let it sit a few minutes and add it in to your chocolate cake batter!
Nutrition
kushi
Soft and moist chocolate cake recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Chenée Lewis
You're welcome! So glad you liked it!
TAYLER ROSS
This was the most decadent, delicious chocolate cake I've ever had! My new go to recipe for sure!
Chenée Lewis
Yay!! That's so great to hear! Thanks!
Kim
You're right - that cake he had to eat looked sooo good! And so does this one! I could use a double dose of chocolate right now. Making this one tonight.
Chenée Lewis
Awesome! Let me know what you think!
Paula
Loved that scene in matilda! Can't wait to try this classic cake!