Description
This Best Matilda’s Chocolate Cake recipe is a rich and moist chocolate cake layered with a smooth and glossy chocolate ganache. Perfect for celebrations or a special treat, it combines cocoa powder, buttermilk, and boiling water to create an incredibly tender crumb, and is topped with a luscious chocolate cream ganache for an elegant finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
Ganache Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pans: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to ensure even distribution and remove lumps.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and homogeneous.
- Mix Batter: Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing until the batter is smooth. Slowly add the boiling water while mixing carefully; the batter will be thin but this ensures a moist cake.
- Bake the Cake: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the Ganache: Place semisweet chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl. Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan until it begins to simmer—do not let it boil. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate chips and let sit for 1 to 2 minutes to soften. Stir gently and then whisk until the ganache is smooth, shiny, and fully combined. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Assemble the Cake: Place one cooled cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a generous layer of ganache on top. Add the second cake layer and pour the remaining ganache over the entire cake, letting it drip down the sides for an elegant finish.
Notes
- Ensure eggs and buttermilk are at room temperature to create a smooth batter and even baking.
- Using boiling water in the batter helps intensify the cocoa flavor and contributes to a moist cake texture.
- For best results, cool cakes completely before adding ganache to prevent melting.
- You can refrigerate the finished cake to set the ganache further; bring to room temperature before serving for optimal texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
