Matildas Chocolate Cake (Printable)

Rich, moist chocolate cake with creamy cocoa frosting. Perfect for celebrations and special occasions.

# What You Need:

→ Cake Batter

01 - 1 ⅔ cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
04 - 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
05 - 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
06 - ½ teaspoon salt
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 1 cup whole milk
09 - ½ cup vegetable oil
10 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
11 - 1 cup boiling water

→ Chocolate Frosting

12 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
13 - 2 ⅞ cups powdered sugar
14 - ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
15 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
16 - ¼ cup whole milk, as needed
17 - Pinch of salt

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans, then line with parchment paper.
02 - Sift together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
03 - Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract to the dry mixture. Beat on medium speed until smooth and fully combined, about 2 minutes.
04 - Carefully pour in boiling water while mixing on low speed. Continue mixing until batter becomes glossy and thin, about 1 minute.
05 - Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
06 - Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes. Run a knife around edges, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely before frosting.
07 - Beat softened butter in a large bowl until creamy and smooth, about 2 minutes. Gradually sift in powdered sugar and cocoa powder, beating until fully incorporated.
08 - Add vanilla extract and salt. Beat in milk one tablespoon at a time until frosting reaches smooth, spreadable consistency.
09 - Place one cooled cake layer on serving plate. Spread frosting evenly over top. Position second layer on top, then frost top and sides completely.
10 - Smooth frosting with spatula. Decorate as desired. Slice and serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The texture is impossibly moist without being dense or heavy like some chocolate cakes can be
  • This frosting recipe alone is worth keeping in your back pocket for everything else you bake
  • People will assume you spent hours on something that comes together in about an hour total
02 -
  • The batter will look worryingly thin after adding boiling water but this is completely normal and necessary for the final texture
  • Cooling the cakes completely before frosting is nonnegotiable or your frosting will melt right off
  • This recipe actually tastes better the next day as the flavors have time to deepen and meld together
03 -
  • Room temperature ingredients prevent lumps and create better texture so plan ahead
  • Invest in good cocoa powder since it's the main flavor in this recipe

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