The Best Fudgy Matilda-Inspired Chocolate Cake Recipe

Cake
0 Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line the bottom of three 8-inch cake tins with parchment paper and grease the sides.
1 Sift together the cake flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
3 In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat vegetable oil and sugar on medium speed for one minute. Add eggs one at a time, mixing between each addition. Add vanilla extract and sour cream and beat until just combined.
4 Alternate adding the hot coffee and dry ingredients with the wet ingredients, beginning and ending with the dry. Mix until just combined, scraping the bowl as needed. Avoid overmixing.
5 Divide the batter evenly into the prepared cake tins. Bake for 23-28 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out with moist crumbs. Cool in pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Frosting
7 Beat the room temperature butter at medium to high speed until light and fluffy, for about 1.5 minutes.
8 Add sifted powdered sugar, heavy whipping cream, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and salt. Start mixing on low, then increase to medium-high and beat for 2 minutes until fluffy.
Assemble
10 Ensure your cake layers are completely cool before assembling. If needed, level the tops with a serrated knife to create an even surface. 
11 Start by placing the first cake layer on a cake board or serving plate, then spread 1 cup of frosting evenly over the top. Gently place the second layer on top, pressing down lightly to secure it, and spread another cup of frosting evenly. Repeat this process with the third layer, pressing gently to ensure the layers adhere.
12 Next, apply a thin layer of frosting over the entire cake to create a crumb coat. Don’t worry if it looks uneven—this layer is just to trap any loose crumbs. Refrigerate the cake for 15 minutes to allow the crumb coat to set. 
13 Once chilled, spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides of the cake, ensuring full coverage. For a fun, textured finish, use the back of a spoon to create swirls and movement in the frosting, giving your cake a beautifully rustic look.