Matildas Chocolate Cake (Printable Version)
Rich, moist chocolate cake with velvety frosting. Classic home-baked goodness for celebrations.
# What You Need:
→ Cake Batter
01 - 1 ¾ 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 ¾ 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:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Generously grease two 8-inch round cake pans and line with parchment paper.
02 - Sift flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a large mixing bowl.
03 - Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract to the dry mixture. Beat on medium speed until completely smooth and well combined, about 2 minutes.
04 - Carefully pour in boiling water while mixing on low speed. Continue mixing until batter becomes glossy and thin.
05 - Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center emerges clean.
06 - Let cakes rest in pans for 10 minutes before transferring to wire racks. Cool completely before frosting, about 1 hour.
07 - Beat softened butter in a large bowl until creamy and smooth, approximately 2 minutes.
08 - Gradually sift in powdered sugar and cocoa powder while beating on low speed. Increase to medium and beat until fully combined.
09 - Add vanilla extract and salt. Pour in milk one tablespoon at a time, beating until frosting reaches smooth, spreadable consistency.
10 - Place one cooled cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a generous layer of frosting evenly over the top.
11 - Position second cake layer on top. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake. Use an offset spatula to smooth the surface evenly.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The boiling water trick creates an impossibly tender crumb that stays fresh for days
- This frosting-to-cake ratio is exactly what chocolate dreams are made of
02 -
- The batter will be very thin after adding boiling water, and that is exactly how it should be
- Completely cooled cake layers prevent the frosting from melting and sliding off
03 -
- Invest in good cocoa powder, as it is the main flavor player here
- Room temperature ingredients create the most uniform batter texture