Triple Matilda Chocolate Cake (Print version)
Three decadent chocolate layers with creamy frosting and glossy ganache topping.
# What you'll need:
→ Cake Layers
01 - 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 ½ cups unsweetened cocoa powder
03 - 2 ½ cups granulated sugar
04 - 2 ½ tsp baking powder
05 - 1 ½ tsp baking soda
06 - 1 tsp fine salt
07 - 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
08 - 1 cup hot coffee
09 - ½ cup vegetable oil
10 - 4 large eggs, room temperature
11 - 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
→ Chocolate Frosting
12 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
13 - 3 ½ cups powdered sugar, sifted
14 - 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
15 - ⅓ cup whole milk, plus more as needed
16 - 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
17 - ¼ tsp salt
→ Chocolate Ganache
18 - 8 oz semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
19 - 1 cup heavy cream
20 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
# Method:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk buttermilk, hot coffee, oil, eggs, and vanilla until well combined.
04 - Add wet ingredients to the dry mixture. Mix until just combined; do not overmix.
05 - Divide batter evenly among the prepared pans. Smooth tops with a spatula.
06 - Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
07 - Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
08 - Beat butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar and cocoa powder gradually, mixing on low. Add milk, vanilla, and salt. Beat until fluffy, adding extra milk if needed for spreadability.
09 - Heat cream in a small saucepan until just simmering. Pour over chopped chocolate and butter in a bowl. Let stand 2 minutes, then whisk until smooth. Cool until thickened but still pourable.
10 - Place first cake layer on a serving plate. Spread with frosting. Top with second layer, frost again. Add the third layer and frost the top and sides.
11 - Pour ganache over the top, letting it drip down the sides for a dramatic effect.
12 - Chill cake for 20–30 minutes to set ganache before slicing.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- The buttermilk and coffee create an incredibly tender, moist crumb that stays fresh for days
- Three distinct chocolate elements mean you get depth of flavor, not just sweetness
02 -
- Room temperature ingredients prevent the batter from curdling and ensure even baking
- Let the ganache cool until it thickens slightly but still flows easily for the prettiest drips
03 -
- If your frosting becomes too stiff, add milk one teaspoon at a time until it reaches spreadable consistency
- Place strips of parchment paper under the cake edges before frosting to keep your serving plate clean