This Matilda’s Chocolate Cake is inspired by the famous, ultra-rich cake from the movie Matilda! It features two moist chocolate cake layers with a silky, glossy chocolate fudge frosting that tastes like a mix between ganache and fudge. Perfect for birthdays, holidays, or whenever you want a dramatic, indulgent chocolate dessert!
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp kosher salt
½ cup cocoa powder
⅔ cup vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 large eggs
⅔ cup buttermilk
1 cup hot coffee
11 oz unsalted butter
14 oz dark chocolate (60–70%)
⅓ cup cocoa powder
1 ⅓ cups heavy cream
1 ⅓ cups powdered sugar
½ tsp kosher salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Line two 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, whisk together: flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and sifted cocoa powder.
Add buttermilk, oil, vanilla, and eggs. Mix until almost combined.
Pour in the hot coffee and mix until smooth. The batter will be runny.
Divide the batter between the pans. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Let cakes cool completely before frosting.
In a saucepan, add: butter, heavy cream, and dark chocolate.
Sift in cocoa powder and powdered sugar, and add salt.
Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until fully melted and smooth.
Strain into a large bowl to remove lumps and speed up cooling.
Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface. Chill until thick and spreadable (about 1–1½ hours).
Place the first cake layer on a plate. Spread a thick layer of fudge frosting on top.
Add the second cake layer and frost the top and sides.
Chill for 30 minutes for clean, sharp slices.
Serve and enjoy this rich, fudgy masterpiece!
Use hot coffee: It deepens the chocolate flavor, but the cake won’t taste like coffee.
Don’t skip weighing the batter for even layers (optional but helpful).
The batter is supposed to be runny—this creates a super moist cake.
Cool completely before frosting or the fudge frosting will melt.
For extra drama, add chocolate shavings or a drizzle of ganache on top.