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Matilda Chocolate Cake Recipe: Recreate the Famous Movie Magic

This Matilda chocolate cake recipe recreates the iconic cake from the 1996 film, featuring a moist, rich chocolate cake with decadent frosting that captures all the indulgence of Bruce Bogtrotter's famous scene. The recipe uses simple pantry-friendly ingredients and provides expert tips for achieving perfect movie-worthy results.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 420
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans, or line them with parchment paper for easy removal.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until well combined and free of lumps.
  3. In a separate bowl, mix the buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Pour this mixture into the dry ingredients and beat on medium speed until just combined – about 2 minutes.
  4. Carefully stir in the boiling water. The batter will be thin – this is normal and will result in an incredibly moist cake.
  5. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
  6. Beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and cocoa powder, then mix in heavy cream, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat until light and fluffy.
  7. Once cakes are completely cool, frost the top of one layer, place the second layer on top, and frost the entire cake generously for that iconic Matilda look.

Notes

The boiling water helps 'bloom' the cocoa powder, intensifying the chocolate flavor and creating an exceptionally moist crumb. Ensure eggs and buttermilk are at room temperature for optimal mixing and texture. Don't overmix – mix just until ingredients are combined. Never frost a warm cake – wait until it's completely cool to prevent the frosting from melting.