Matilda Chocolate Cake (Printable Version)
Rich chocolate cake with decadent frosting inspired by the classic film, featuring moist layers and creamy chocolate buttercream.
# What You Need:
→ For the Cake
01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 cups granulated sugar
03 - ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
04 - 1½ teaspoons baking powder
05 - 1½ teaspoons baking soda
06 - 1 teaspoon salt
07 - 2 large eggs, at room temperature
08 - 1 cup whole milk
09 - ½ cup vegetable oil
10 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
11 - 1 cup boiling water
→ For the Chocolate Frosting
12 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
13 - ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
14 - 3½ cups powdered sugar
15 - ¼ cup whole milk, plus extra if needed
16 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
17 - Pinch of salt
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
03 - Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla to the dry mixture. Beat on medium speed until fully incorporated and smooth.
04 - Carefully mix in the boiling water. The batter will appear thin—this is normal and ensures a moist crumb.
05 - Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Bake for 30–35 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
06 - Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely before frosting.
07 - Beat butter until creamy. Sift in cocoa powder and mix well. Gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with milk, until smooth and spreadable. Add vanilla and salt; beat to combine.
08 - Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a layer of frosting on top. Stack the second layer and cover the top and sides with remaining frosting.
09 - For the classic Matilda look, use an offset spatula to create swoops and swirls in the frosting.
# Helpful Tips:
01 -
- The boiling water trick creates the most incredibly moist crumb you've ever experienced in a homemade cake
- This frosting recipe is thick enough to hold those swoopy dramatic swirls but still melts beautifully on your tongue
02 -
- The boiling water step might feel wrong but it's essential—this trick blooms the cocoa powder and creates that impossibly moist texture
- Room temperature ingredients incorporate so much better, so plan ahead and take everything out at least an hour before baking
03 -
- Sift your powdered sugar twice to avoid those tiny lumps that show up in otherwise perfect frosting
- Invest in good quality cocoa powder because you really can taste the difference in a recipe this chocolate-forward