Single Serve Matilda Chocolate Cake

Moist and tender rich chocolate cake with a indulgent chocolate fudge frosting that is EXACTLY like the Matilda chocolate cake but a smaller single serve recipe.

This cake is dangerous. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. It is so simple to make but the flavor is NEXT LEVEL. Last year around this time I posted the single serve chocolate cake recipe and it has been SUCH A HIT. So it seemed only fitting to make the Matlida chocolate cake but a single serve recipe instead. You don’t need need much to make this cake and you definitely don’t need a lot of time either. Making for a very scrumptious and satisfying cake recipe.

As this cake went viral, all I kept thinking was GOSH! Those cakes are massive! I mean they could serve 8-12 people easily. I wanted to make the cake and I didn’t want a ton of leftovers which made me think further about this recipe and why it doesn’t have a smaller scale option for those who want to make it and not have to eat chocolate cake for the next week (not like thats a bad thing).

What is the Matilda Chocolate Cake?

Matilda is a movie in which there is a scene of this magical chocolate cake that is tall, has many layers and is frosted with a shiny chocolate fudge frosting that is indulgent and rich. The cake scene is so popular that everyone started making this cake just to experience the joy of that chocolate cake satisfaction.

What is a single serve recipe?

Single serve recipes are those that serve 1-2 people. They are usually measured in smaller amounts, use fewer ingredients and takes up lesser time to make. I have a list of single serve recipes that are very easy to make and approachable, make sure to check them out.

What ingredients do we need to make this Matilda Chocolate Cake?

Chocolate cake –

To make the cake we need all purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, corn flour, salt. For the wet ingredients we need mayonnaise, vegetable oil, milk, egg, vanilla, hot coffee, vinegar, white sugar and brown sugar.

Substitute options –

To make this cake gluten free, use a gluten free flour mix instead of the all purpose flour. Cornflour is the same as corn starch and it is a must, I would recommend using rice flour if you don’t have corn flour – this keeps the cake extremely soft and tender. You can use either white or brown sugar for the cake if you don’t have either of them. The hot coffee can be hot water if you don’t like coffee but the flavor compliments chocolate really well. To keep this cake eggless we can substitute it for a flaxseed egg or 50gm yogurt instead. If you want to make this cake vegan, use a plant based milk and mayo. If you don’t have mayonnaise use yogurt instead.

Fudge frosting –

We need butter, dark chocolate, heavy cream, icing sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, vanilla and salt. I like using a 70% dark chocolate here you can use any you prefer. The icing sugar is same as powdered sugar or confectioners sugar.

What equipment do we need to make this Matilda Chocolate Cake?

Te can batter is mixed in a mixing bowl with a rubber spatula or whisk. We bake the cake in 2 5 inch tins or bake half the batter and then the other half. I like using an offset spatula to decorate the cake with the frosting once it is cooled. To make the frosting we need a sauce pot and rubber spatula.

How to make this Matilda Chocolate Cake?

Preheat the oven to 180℃, line two 5 inch tins with baking paper and brush with oil, set aside. In a small mixing bowl add the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt and mxi together until combined. In a small glass add the milk and vinegar, stir and set aside. In another bowl add the oil, mayonnaise, egg and whisk. Add the white, brown sugar, vanilla and whisk. Add the milk mixture and whisk. Add half the dry ingredients and mix until partially combined, add the hot coffee and mix until smooth. Add the remaining dry ingredients and mix until combined. Divide the batter between the tins and bake for 19-21 minutes until risen and tooth pic inserted into the center comes out clean. While this is happening let us make the frosting by adding all the ingredients into a heavy bottom sauce pan and placing on low heat. Stir well, once the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth take it off the heat (do not over cook it) and let it cool completely (around 1 hour). Once the cakes are done remove from the tin and let them cool completely before frosting. After the cake is cooled place one cake on a plate and top with the frosting that should now be thick and spreadable. Spread the frosting evenly over the cake and place the next cake on top. Frost the top of the cake and he sides in a rustic swirl like manner. Slice and serve or just bite into it directly.

Trouble shooting with the frosting –

A few of you have had issues making this frosting, I have updated the recipe to make it simpler and hopefully you will have more success making it. Here are so of my tips to get this frosting perfect :

Make sure the ingredients are at room temperature
Chop the chocolate evenly so it melts evenly
Cook the frosting on low heat, stirring to ensure it is smooth. Do not let it boil.
If the frosting splits, take it off the heat and add cold cream into the mixture (1 tbsp at a time) and stir well, it should combine and become smooth.

How to serve and store the Single Serve Matilda Chocolate Cake?

The beauty about single serve recipes is that it most often than not doesn’t have leftovers, however this cake is better the next day and stores well at room temperature in an airtight container for 3 days. Place in the fridge for 1 week or in the freezer for 1 month. The cake must be stored in an air tight container or else it will dry out. This cake is yummy with a glass of milk but also with white wine or cup of coffee.

Looking for more single serve recipes?

Now that we have covered how to make this Single serve Matilda chocolate cake, you can have a look at the recipe video on my socials but let’s get to it.

If you try this recipe out, don’t forget to share it with me on instagram so I can see how it turned out. I’d love nothing more than to chat with you on your cooking/baking.