Matilda Cake: 7 Secrets That Steal Your Heart

Do you remember that unforgettable moment in Matilda when Bruce Bogtrotter bravely devoured that massive chocolate cake? That iconic scene turned the Matilda Cake into a legend, living rent-free in dessert lovers’ minds for decades and for good reason. It’s impossible not to crave a slice of the Matilda Cake after watching that moment of pure chocolate drama.

This Matilda Cake is far from an ordinary chocolate cake. It’s a rich, moist, and deeply decadent masterpiece that captures the magic of the original scene. As someone who has spent years perfecting dessert recipes, I can confidently say that recreating the Matilda Cake is worth every chocolate-covered minute in the kitchen.

Whether you’re planning a movie night, a birthday celebration, or simply indulging in nostalgic baking, this Matilda Cake recipe will transport you straight back to Crunchem Hall Elementary- minus Miss Trunchbull, of course. One bite, and you’ll understand why the Matilda Cake remains one of the most iconic chocolate cakes of all.

What Makes This Matilda Cake Special

The beauty of this Matilda cake lies in its perfect balance of rich chocolate flavor and incredibly moist texture. Unlike many chocolate cakes that can turn out dry or overly sweet, this recipe creates layers that practically melt in your mouth. The secret? A combination of cocoa powder and melted chocolate, plus a few baking tricks that I’ve learned over the years.

Matilda Cake: 7 Secrets That Steal Your Heart

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• Author: Amy
• Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes

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Description

Relive the unforgettable chocolate chaos of Matilda! This rich, moist, and decadent chocolate cake captures the magic of Bruce Bogtrotter’s legendary cake moment. Perfect for movie nights, birthdays, or indulging your chocolate cravings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Chocolate Cake Layers:

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups granulated sugar

¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs, room temperature

1 cup buttermilk

1 cup strong black coffee, cooled

½ cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Rich Chocolate Frosting:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

¾ cup cocoa powder

3 cups powdered sugar

½ cup heavy cream

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Pinch of salt

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Instructions

Cake Layers:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease 2×9-inch pans and dust with cocoa.

Whisk flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

Add eggs, buttermilk, coffee, oil, and vanilla. Mix until just combined.

Divide batter between pans and bake 30–35 mins. Cool 10 mins in pans, then transfer to wire racks.

Frosting:
Beat butter until fluffy (~3 mins).
Gradually add cocoa, then alternate powdered sugar and cream. Mix in vanilla and salt.

Assembly:
Layer cake with frosting in between. Frost top and sides, creating swirls for a rustic look.

Notes

Coffee enhances chocolate flavor without tasting like coffee.

Room-temp eggs and buttermilk improve texture.

Dust pans with cocoa for extra chocolatey layers and no sticking.

Don’t overmix – a few lumps are fine!

Cool cakes completely before frosting to avoid melting.

Storage:

Room temp: 3 days under cover.

Freeze slices: up to 3 months.

Unfrosted layers: up to 6 months in freezer.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or fresh berries.

Add chocolate shavings or powdered sugar for a special touch.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 485
• Sugar: 58g
• Fat: 22g
• Carbohydrates: 72g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 6g

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Chocolate Cake Layers:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup strong black coffee, cooled
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Rich Chocolate Frosting:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup cocoa powder
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Timing Your Baking Adventure

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Baking Time: 30-35 minutes
Cooling Time: 1 hour
Assembly Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing the Cake Layers

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and dust with cocoa powder – this prevents sticking and adds extra chocolate flavor.

Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Make sure there are no lumps hiding in your cocoa powder.

Step 3: Create a well in the center of your dry ingredients. Add eggs, buttermilk, coffee, oil, and vanilla extract. Here’s where the magic happens – mix everything together until just combined. Don’t overmix, or your cake will become tough.

Step 4: Divide the batter evenly between your prepared pans. The batter will be quite thin, but don’t worry – that’s exactly what creates the moist texture we’re after.

Step 5: Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Let the cakes cool in their pans for 10 minutes before turning them out onto wire racks.

Creating the Perfect Frosting

Step 6: While your cakes cool completely, beat the softened butter until light and fluffy – about 3 minutes with an electric mixer.

Step 7: Gradually add cocoa powder, then alternate adding powdered sugar and heavy cream. Beat in vanilla and salt until the frosting reaches a spreadable consistency.

Assembly Magic

Step 8: Place one cake layer on your serving plate. Spread a generous amount of frosting on top, then carefully place the second layer. Frost the top and sides, creating swirls and peaks for that rustic, homemade look.

Nutrition Facts (Per Slice, Serves 12)

• Calories: 485
• Carbohydrates: 72g
• Fat: 22g
• Protein: 6g
• Sugar: 58g
• Fiber: 4g

Healthy Alternatives and Dietary Swaps

Making It Lighter

For a slightly healthier version of your Matilda cake, try substituting half the oil with unsweetened applesauce. You can also use Greek yogurt in place of half the buttermilk for added protein and tang.

Gluten-Free Option

Replace the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Make sure it contains xanthan gum for the best texture results.

Dairy-Free Adaptation

Swap buttermilk for plant-based milk mixed with lemon juice, and use dairy-free butter and cream alternatives in the frosting.

Tips for Best Results

The coffee in this recipe intensifies the chocolate flavor without making the cake taste like coffee – trust me on this one. If you’re not a coffee drinker, you can substitute hot water, but the coffee truly makes a difference.

Room temperature ingredients mix more easily and create a better texture. Take your eggs and buttermilk out about an hour before baking.

Don’t skip the cocoa powder dusting in your cake pans. It prevents the dark cake from showing white flour spots and adds an extra layer of chocolate goodness.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overmixing the batter is the fastest way to create a dense, tough cake. Mix just until the ingredients come together – a few lumps are perfectly fine.

Opening the oven door too early can cause your cakes to sink. Resist the temptation to peek until at least 25 minutes have passed.

Frosting warm cake will result in a melted mess. Make sure your layers are completely cool before assembly.

Storage Solutions

Short-Term Storage

Your finished Matilda cake stays fresh at room temperature for up to 3 days when covered with a cake dome or plastic wrap. The moisture in this recipe actually helps it improve slightly on day two.

Freezing Options

Individual slices freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Wrap each piece in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Thaw at room temperature for about an hour before serving.

The unfrosted cake layers can also be frozen for up to 6 months – perfect for meal prepping your desserts.

Serving Suggestions

This Matilda cake pairs wonderfully with vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream. For an extra indulgent treat, drizzle warm chocolate sauce over each slice.

Consider serving it alongside fresh berries to cut through the richness, or with a glass of cold milk for the full childhood nostalgia experience.

For special occasions, dust the top with powdered sugar or add chocolate shavings for an elegant presentation.

Bringing Movie Magic to Your Kitchen

There’s something truly special about recreating this beloved Matilda cake in your own kitchen. Every bite captures that sense of rebellion and joy that made the original scene so memorable. Whether you’re sharing it with family, friends, or keeping it all to yourself (no judgment here), this recipe delivers on both nostalgia and flavor.

The best part? You don’t need any telekinetic powers to make this cake disappear – just a fork and a healthy appetite for chocolate heaven.

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