🍫 Matilda Chocolate Cake
Ultra-Moist, Rich & Decadent
Inspired by the famously indulgent chocolate cake from Matilda, this ultra-moist chocolate cake is rich, deeply chocolatey, and incredibly tender. The cake is made with cocoa powder and hot coffee to intensify the chocolate flavor, then covered in a thick, glossy chocolate frosting.
It’s the kind of cake that looks impressive on a dessert table and practically melts on your fork.
⏱️ Recipe Information
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Bake Time: 30–35 minutes
Cooling Time: 1 hour
Total Time: About 1 hour 55 minutes
Servings: 10–12
Difficulty: Easy
🛒 Ingredients
🍫 Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
- ¾ cup (75 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
🥚 Wet Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk
- ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup (240 ml) hot brewed coffee
🍫 Chocolate Frosting
- 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1½ cups (150 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 5 cups (600 g) powdered sugar
- ⅔ cup (160 ml) heavy cream or milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Prepare the Oven
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
Lightly dust the sides with flour or cocoa powder.
2. Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together:
- Flour
- Sugar
- Cocoa powder
- Baking soda
- Baking powder
- Salt
Break up any cocoa lumps.
Set aside.
3. Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until smooth.
4. Make the Batter
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
Mix gently until just combined.
The batter will be fairly thick at this stage.
5. Add the Hot Coffee
Slowly pour in the hot coffee while whisking gently.
The batter will become quite thin.
This is normal. The thin batter is one of the secrets to the cake’s incredibly moist texture.
Don’t overmix once everything is incorporated.
6. Divide the Batter
Pour the batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans.
Gently tap the pans against the counter once or twice to release large air bubbles.
7. Bake
Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached.
Avoid overbaking.
The cake should remain soft and moist in the center.
8. Cool the Cakes
Remove the cakes from the oven and allow them to cool in their pans for approximately 10–15 minutes.
Run a thin knife around the edges.
Carefully turn the cakes onto wire racks and remove the parchment paper.
Allow them to cool completely before frosting.
🍫 Make the Chocolate Frosting
9. Beat the Butter
Place the softened butter in a large mixing bowl.
Beat for approximately 2–3 minutes, until light and creamy.
10. Add the Cocoa
Sift in the cocoa powder.
Beat until completely incorporated.
11. Add the Powdered Sugar
Gradually add the powdered sugar, alternating with the heavy cream or milk.
Mix on low speed initially to prevent the sugar from flying everywhere.
Add the vanilla and salt.
12. Whip Until Fluffy
Increase the mixer speed and beat for approximately 2–3 minutes, until the frosting is smooth, fluffy, and spreadable.
If it’s too thick, add a tablespoon of cream or milk at a time.
If it’s too thin, add a little more powdered sugar.
🎂 Assemble the Cake
13. Level the Cakes
If the cake layers have domed tops, gently trim them with a serrated knife to create even layers.
14. Add the First Layer
Place one cake layer on a serving plate or cake stand.
Spread a generous layer of chocolate frosting over the top.
15. Add the Second Layer
Place the second cake layer on top.
Press down very gently to secure it.
16. Frost the Cake
Spread frosting over the top and sides of the cake.
For the classic Matilda-style look, don’t worry about making it perfectly smooth.
A thick, generous layer of frosting gives the cake its signature indulgent appearance.
17. Slice and Serve
Let the cake sit for about 15–20 minutes after frosting so the layers settle.
Slice generously and serve.
For the ultimate dessert, pair each slice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a glass of cold milk.
⭐ Chef’s Tips
Use Hot Coffee
Coffee intensifies the chocolate flavor without making the cake taste strongly of coffee.
Don’t Overmix
Once the flour is incorporated, mix only until the batter is smooth.
Don’t Overbake
A few moist crumbs on a toothpick are ideal. A completely dry toothpick can mean the cake has been baked too long.
Cool Completely
Frosting a warm cake can cause the frosting to melt and slide.
For Extra-Smooth Frosting
Sift the cocoa powder and powdered sugar before adding them to the butter.
Chill the Layers
For especially easy assembly, refrigerate the cooled cake layers for 30 minutes before frosting.
🍫 Easy Variations
Double Chocolate Cake
Add 1 cup chocolate chips to the batter before baking.
Chocolate Ganache Finish
Pour warm chocolate ganache over the frosted cake and allow it to drip naturally down the sides.
Raspberry Chocolate
Spread a thin layer of raspberry jam between the cake layers.
Chocolate Espresso
Add 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder to the hot coffee.
Extra Fudgy
Replace 2 tablespoons of the flour with additional cocoa powder for an even more intense chocolate flavor.
🧊 Storage
Store the frosted cake covered at room temperature for up to 2 days, provided the environment isn’t excessively warm.
For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Allow refrigerated cake to sit at room temperature for about 20–30 minutes before serving for the softest texture.
❄️ Freezing
Unfrosted cake layers can be frozen for up to 2 months.
Wrap each completely cooled layer tightly in plastic wrap, followed by foil.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bring to a cool room temperature before frosting.
🍫🎂 Final Result
This Ultra-Moist Matilda Chocolate Cake is everything a serious chocolate cake should be: deeply chocolatey, incredibly soft, moist, and covered in a thick layer of silky chocolate frosting.
The hot coffee intensifies the cocoa flavor while keeping the crumb exceptionally tender.
Rich chocolate cake + thick chocolate frosting + ultra-moist crumb = the ultimate chocolate cake. 🍫✨