Matildas Chocolate Cake Recipe

Matildas Chocolate Cake Recipe for Joyful Smiles

Sweet aromas of decadent matildas chocolate cake waft through the kitchen, promising pure indulgence.

Memories of childhood birthdays dance with rich cocoa memories.

Bakers seek comfort in every delectable slice of this nostalgic dessert.

Chocolate lovers understand the magical power of a perfectly crafted cake.

Smooth layers beckon with irresistible charm and velvety texture.

Whispers of vanilla and deep chocolate notes create an enchanting symphony.

Each bite promises a moment of blissful escape that connects you to pure culinary joy.

Get ready to savor a slice of pure chocolate heaven.

Matilda’s Chocolate Cake: What Makes It Legendary

  • Super simple recipe that requires minimal technical skills, perfect for beginners or casual home bakers wanting to create a delicious dessert.
  • Preparation takes just minutes with straightforward mixing technique, allowing you to whip up a delectable chocolate cake in under an hour from start to finish.
  • Universally appealing chocolate cake that pleases kids and adults alike, making it ideal for gatherings, birthdays, or casual weekend celebrations.
  • Flexible recipe that allows easy substitutions like using coffee instead of water, providing creative freedom for home cooks to customize the cake's flavor profile.

What You’ll Need for Matilda’s Chocolate Cake

Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: The base structure for the cake, providing texture and stability.
  • Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich chocolate flavor and deep color to the cake.
  • Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps with caramelization and moisture.
  • Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents that help the cake rise and become light.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a tender crumb.
  • Vegetable Oil: Keeps the cake moist and soft, providing a tender texture.
  • Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to structure and richness.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and enhances chocolate flavor.
Liquid Ingredient:
  • Boiling Water (or Coffee): Helps dissolve cocoa powder and creates a thin, smooth batter that results in an extra moist cake. Coffee can intensify chocolate flavor if used.

Bake Matilda’s Cake in a Few Steps

Step 1: Prepare Baking Workspace

Grab two 9-inch cake pans and coat them generously with cooking spray or butter. Line the bottom with parchment paper to ensure easy cake removal. Set oven temperature to 350F (175C) and allow it to warm up completely.

Step 2: Create Dry Ingredient Magic

Gather these dry ingredients:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder
  • Granulated sugar
  • Baking powder
  • Baking soda
  • Salt

Toss all ingredients into a spacious mixing bowl. Whisk them together until perfectly blended and no clumps remain.

Step 3: Introduce Wet Ingredients

Pour in these liquid companions:
  • Whole milk
  • Vegetable oil
  • Fresh eggs
  • Pure vanilla extract

Mix everything with an electric mixer or vigorous hand whisking until the batter looks smooth and silky.

Step 4: Add Liquid Transformation

Gently stream boiling water into the mixture. The batter will transform into an unusually thin consistency- this is exactly what you want! Stir until water integrates completely.

Step 5: Bake Chocolate Heaven

Pour batter evenly between prepared pans. Slide into preheated oven and bake for approximately 30-35 minutes. Cake is ready when a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Baking Tips for Rich Chocolate Cake

  • Boost Moisture Magic: Add a splash of sour cream or Greek yogurt to make the cake incredibly tender and rich.
  • Coffee Depth Enhancer: Replace boiling water with strong brewed coffee to intensify the chocolate flavor without adding bitterness.
  • Gluten-Free Swap: Use gluten-free all-purpose flour blend instead of regular flour, ensuring the cake remains light and fluffy.
  • Temperature Timing Trick: Let ingredients like eggs and milk sit at room temperature before mixing to create a smoother, more uniform batter.
  • Prevent Dry Edges: Line cake pan edges with damp baking strips to ensure even baking and prevent crispy, overcooked sides.

How to Keep Matilda’s Cake Moist

  • Store leftover cake in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Cover the cake with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
  • Keep cake at room temperature for 1-2 days if planning to consume quickly. Place in a cake carrier or cover with a cake dome.
  • Wrap individual cake slices or whole cake tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
  • Thaw frozen cake in the refrigerator overnight. Warm individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving.

Drinks and Desserts to Pair with This Cake

  • Select a full-bodied red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot to complement the deep chocolate notes and enhance the cake's richness.
  • Serve alongside vanilla bean ice cream or whipped cream to balance the cake's intense chocolate flavor and provide a cool, smooth texture.
  • Brew a strong espresso or cappuccino to highlight the cake's subtle coffee undertones and create a classic dessert pairing that brings out the chocolate's depth.
  • Garnish with fresh raspberries or strawberries to add a tart brightness that cuts through the cake's decadent sweetness and provides a vibrant color contrast.

Fun Twists on Matilda’s Cake Recipe

  • Gluten-Free Version: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals.
  • Vegan Chocolate Cake: Substitute eggs with mashed bananas or applesauce, use plant-based milk like almond milk, and swap regular oil with coconut oil.
  • Low-Sugar Alternative: Replace sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining rich chocolate flavor.
  • Dairy-Free Option: Use coconut milk instead of regular milk, and select dairy-free chocolate powder to accommodate lactose-intolerant preferences.

Matilda’s Chocolate Cake FAQs

  • Why does the recipe call for boiling water?

The boiling water helps to bloom the cocoa powder, intensifying the chocolate flavor and creating a more moist cake texture.

  • Can I use a different type of milk?

Yes, you can substitute dairy milk with alternatives like almond, soy, or oat milk without significantly affecting the cake’s outcome.

  • Why is the batter so thin?

A thin batter is normal and actually helps create a lighter, more tender cake texture. Don’t worry about the consistency- it will bake perfectly.

  • Is this cake suitable for beginners?

Absolutely! This recipe is straightforward, requires minimal mixing skills, and uses simple ingredients that are easy to find in most kitchens.

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Matildas Chocolate Cake Recipe

Matildas Chocolate Cake Recipe


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4.7 from 27 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Matilda’s chocolate cake emerges as a rich, indulgent dessert that whispers sweet promises of pure delight. Each velvety slice promises chocolate comfort that lingers deliciously, drawing friends and family closer with its irresistible charm.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 cups (480 milliliters) all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup (180 milliliters) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 cups (400 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (240 milliliters) whole milk
  • 1 cup (240 milliliters) boiling water

Wet Ingredients:

  • ½ cup (120 milliliters) vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup (120 milliliters) melted butter
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Leavening and Seasoning Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven by heating to 350F (175C) and meticulously coat two 9-inch cake pans with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking.
  2. Combine all dry ingredients in a spacious mixing bowl, using a whisk to thoroughly integrate flour, cocoa powder, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until uniformly blended.
  3. Introduce liquid components – milk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract – to the dry mixture, whisking with vigor to create a smooth, homogeneous batter.
  4. Carefully pour boiling water (or coffee) into the mixture, stirring gently. The liquid will dramatically thin the batter, which is perfectly normal and essential for achieving a delicate cake texture.
  5. Distribute the liquid batter evenly between the prepared cake pans, using a spatula to ensure consistent coverage and eliminate any potential air pockets.
  6. Transfer pans to the preheated oven, positioning them centrally to promote even heat distribution and optimal baking results.

Notes

  • Choose high-quality cocoa powder for richer, deeper chocolate flavor that elevates the entire cake’s taste profile.
  • Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature to help them blend smoothly and create a more uniform batter consistency.
  • Add instant espresso powder to the boiling water for an enhanced chocolate taste that deepens the cake’s complexity without overwhelming the primary chocolate notes.
  • Line cake pans precisely with parchment paper and grease edges to guarantee easy cake removal and prevent sticking, ensuring a perfect cake presentation.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Australian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 28 g
  • Sodium: 200 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 45 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Jamie Granger

Jamie Granger

Recipe Developer & Food Writer

Expertise

  • Fusion Cuisine Development
  • Recipe Development and Food Styling
  • Culinary Writing and Content Creation
  • Nutrition and Healthy Cooking​

Education

Culinary Institute of America

  • Degree: Associate in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Emphasis on flavor development, classic and contemporary culinary techniques, menu design, and global cuisine preparation; combined with food-service management, communication, and finance training; and immersive hands‑on restaurant operations through paid industry internships.

Jamie Granger turns ingredients into memories. With her recipes, she brings a fusion-forward flair to every creation. 

Her dishes reflect the places she’s explored, the chefs she’s learned from, and the deep connection she has to food as a form of expression. 

At Pass and Provision, Jamie develops recipes that balance flavor, health, and beauty, meals that don’t just satisfy your appetite but speak to your curiosity.

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