Bruce didn’t just eat a cake… he turned a moment of humiliation into a legendary win. In this Replication episode we recreate the towering chocolate cake from Matilda the Musical on Netflix… scaled to a dramatic quarter wedge that still looks delightfully over the top. Our version is party ready, messy-in-the-best-way, and absolutely delicious.
Watch the full build on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9Iuy4yCPWQ
What we’re making
In the Netflix film the cake is four tiers, cloaked in glossy chocolate frosting, and crowned with maraschino cherries. To make this doable at home we build a quarter of the full cake… keeping the height, the stacked drama, and the cherry line on top.
Tools and ingredients
Tools
- 2 springform pans that fit your top two tier templates
- 2 rimmed sheet pans… sometimes called half sheets
- Parchment paper, scissors, permanent marker, sharp knife
- Cardboard base wrapped in aluminum foil… big enough for your quarter slice
- Offset spatula and a straight spatula
- 2 wooden skewers for stability
Ingredients
- 3 boxes chocolate cake mix… plus the water, oil, and eggs on the box
- 3 to 4 tubs chocolate frosting… we used classic chocolate fudge
- 1 jar maraschino cherries with stems
- A bit of shortening and flour for the pans
Yield… one quarter of the iconic cake that serves a crowd
Template and prep
- Make the quarter guide. Sketch or print a circle the size of the full cake you want… fold into quarters… cut along the fold to create a clean quarter wedge.
- Create tier templates. From that wedge, trace four decreasing tiers. Trim each template slightly inside the line so layers will not overhang your pans.
- Prep the base. Tape or glue aluminum foil around a sturdy piece of cardboard. This becomes your serving board.
- Line and grease. Trace and cut parchment circles for the springforms. Line sheet pans with parchment. Grease the springform walls lightly with shortening… dust with flour.
Bake the layers
- Mix the batter. Prepare cake mix as directed.
- Portion. Use one box for the two springforms… divide evenly. Use one box per sheet pan.
- Bake. Follow the times on the boxes… pull when a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool completely. Do not rush this… cool in pans, then on racks.
Cut and stack
- Cut the sheet layers. Place the largest two templates on your sheet cakes… trace lightly with a knife… cut cleanly. You should be able to get two layers per sheet.
- Slice for height. If needed, split any thicker layers so each tier can stack three or four thin layers with frosting between.
- Anchor the base. Smear a few spoonfuls of frosting on your foil board where the bottom tier will sit… helps prevent sliding.
- Build tier by tier.
- Set the first large layer… add a generous frosting coat… repeat with two or three layers until the bottom tier reaches your desired height.
- Repeat with the mid tier and then the two springform tiers.
- Stabilize. Trim two skewers to just below cake height… slide them down through the top tier and into the ones below. This keeps the quarter wedge from leaning.
Frosting finish
- Crumb coat. Spread a thin layer over the whole cake… chill briefly until set.
- Final coat. Add a thick glossy layer… use an offset spatula to make horizontal lines that echo the movie texture.
- Trim the cut face. For the exposed “Bruce bite” side… use a knife to shave a thin slice so you see neat layers.
- Cherries on top. Line the ridge with maraschino cherries… one satisfying stem at a time.
Party tips and variations
- Serve smart. It is fun to recreate Bruce’s grab-and-go bite for a photo… then switch to plates and forks. Your carpet will thank you.
- From scratch option. Have a chocolate cake you love… swap it in and keep the same assembly steps.
- Make it monumental. Want the full round cake… multiply the sheet layers and skip the quarter cut. Add internal dowels for stability if you go big.
- Texture tricks. Warm your offset spatula in hot water… wipe dry… then smooth for that polished sheen.
Our Replicate-Worthy verdict
Taste… five stars
Fun factor… five stars
Overall… Success
It is chocolate on chocolate with a theatrical reveal… perfect for birthdays… watch parties… or anytime you want a crowd to cheer.
Clean up and storage
Refrigerate uncovered for 15 minutes to set the frosting… then cover loosely and chill. The cake stays happy for two to three days. Bring to room temperature before serving so the frosting softens and shines.
