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    Home » Desserts » Best Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

    Best Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

    Published: November 15, 2021 · Jill Baird · 4 Comments

    easy chocolate buttercream frosting on a wire wisk

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    fluffy chocolate frosting recipe
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    chocolate buttercream frosting recipe
    chocolate buttercream frosting recipe

    This easy Chocolate Buttercream Frosting is silky smooth, full of chocolate flavor and calls for just five simple ingredients.  It’s a versatile recipe, perfect for using on birthday cakes, chocolate cupcakes, and more.

    This is a thick, rich, melt-in-yuour mouth creamy chocolate frosting. It's like fudge perfection in frosting form. It's perfect for piping fancy design and intricate patterns. This Chocolate Buttercream icing recipe is essential for cupcakes, birthday cakes and so much more.

    Jump to:
    • Chocolate Buttercream Frosting Recipe
    • Where to use Chocolate Buttercream?
    • Ingredients in Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
    • How to Make Easy Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Storing Instructions
    • Chocolate Buttercream Frosting Recipe

    Chocolate Buttercream Frosting Recipe

    This is the best Chocolate Buttercream Frosting is everything that you want your chocolate frosting to be.  It’s rich and creamy, silky smooth, super chocolatey, easy to work with, and couldn’t be simpler to make. 

    Since there are so few ingredients, it’s important to remember that the best ingredients yield the tastiest results.  With that in mind, we recommend using high-quality butter and a high-quality cocoa powder, such as Ghirardelli or Guittard. Go ahead, make a big batch because it stores really well and is easy to whip back to its soft and fluffy self.

    White plate with a piping bag full of the best chocolate buttercream frosting and a few piped rosettes.

    Where to use Chocolate Buttercream?

    There are a million ways to use this easy Chocolate Buttercream Frosting, but here are a few of our favorite recipes to eat it with:

    • Chocolate Bundt Cake
    • Coconut Filled Chocolate Bundt Cake
    • Brownie Bites
    • Zucchini Cupcakes
    • Pumpkin Cake
    • Pumpkin Cupcakes
    • Raspberry Sweet Rolls

    Ingredients in Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

    • Butter - you need the butter to be room temperature and soft so that it will whip up well.  Either pull out a couple hours ahead of time, or put into a microwave-safe container and heat for about 10 seconds at a time until soft.
    • Vanilla Extract - pure vanilla extract tastes best.
    • Milk - use whole milk, 2% milk or even heavy cream.
    • Powdered Sugar - it’s always a good idea to sift your powdered or confectioners sugar through a fine mesh strainer.
    • Cocoa Powder - the better the quality cocoa powder, the better your chocolate frosting will taste.

    There are a couple other additions you can add to your chocolate buttercream frosting that will give it a fun twist. Here are our favorites...

    • Espresso Powder- Add a teaspoon or two of this to give your chocolate frosting even more intensity.
    • Mini Chocolate Chips- You can make it a Double Chocolate Chip Recipe by simply adding some mini chocolate chips.
    • Mint Extract- You can add a half teaspoon of mint extract for a fun mint chocolate version. Try adding this to your favortie brownie recipe.
    chocolate buttercream frosting recipe inside the bowl of a stand mixer. makes the best chocolate frosting recipe.

    How to Make Easy Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

    1. Whip the butter.  Place soft room temperature butter into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment and whip until light and fluffy, or about 2 minutes.
    2. Add ingredients.  With the mixer off, add the cocoa powder, vanilla extract, half of the powdered sugar and half of the milk.  Turn the mixer on low to combine, then increase to medium high speed and whip until light and fluffy - about 2 more minutes.
    3. Add the rest of the sugar and milk.  Add the rest of the powdered sugar, then add the milk a half tablespoon at a time, whisking until you reach the desired consistency.
    4. Use immediately or store for later.  Enjoy!
    A close up picture of easy buttercream chocolate frosting in a large bowl, fluffy chocolate frosting.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Do I have to refrigerate buttercream?

    Yes - after about 4 hours you should refrigerate both your buttercream and anything that you have used buttercream on, such as cupcakes.

    Can I make frosting ahead of time?

    Absolutely!  If will hold for up to 1 week in the fridge or up to 2 months in the freezer.  In order to use it again, just remove from the fridge and let the frosting warm up to room temperature.  Using a hand-held mixer, mix again until soft and fluffy, adding a splash of milk or cream as needed.

    What if my Chocolate Buttercream Frosting is too thin?

    If you have added all of the ingredients, including the full amount of powdered sugar and milk, and your frosting is too thin, try adding in more powdered sugar 1 tablespoon at a time until it has thickened back up.

    Does Royal Icing or Buttercream Frosting taste better?

    Royal icing is less about the taste and texture. It's super sweet an hardens quickly. It's a kind of edible glue to hold decorations together. If you're wanting a rich and decadent, the best tasting frosting, you're looking for a buttercream frosting recipe. It's easy to use, you can pipe it on to cakes and cupcakes and has the best flavor.

    Storing Instructions

    • Refrigerator: store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
    • Freezer: store in an airtight container, or freezer bags, in the freezer for up to 2 months.  To thaw, transfer to the fridge overnight.
    • To use: once you are ready to use the frosting again, remove it from the fridge and let it warm up to room temperature.  Then, using a hand-held mixer or a stand mixer, whip it up until it is nice and fluffy chocolate frosting.
    easy chocolate buttercream frosting on a wire wisk
    Print

    Chocolate Buttercream Frosting Recipe

    This is the best Chocolate Buttercream Frosting is silky smooth, full of chocolate flavor and calls for just five simple ingredients.  It’s a versatile recipe, perfect for using on birthday cakes, chocolate cupcakes, 2-layer cakes and more.
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Total Time 10 minutes
    Servings 12 people
    Calories 226kcal
    Author The Carefree Kitchen

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup Butter room temperature
    • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
    • 2-3 Tablespoons Milk
    • 3 ½ cups Powdered Sugar
    • ½ cup Cocoa Powder

    Instructions

    • Place soft room temperature butter into the bowl of a stand mixer and whip with the whisk attachment until light and fluffy, or about 2 minutes.
    • With the mixer off, add the cocoa powder, vanilla extract, half of the powdered sugar and half of the milk. Turn the mixer on low to combine, then increase to medium high speed and whip until light and fluffy - about 2 more minutes.
    • Add the rest of the powdered sugar, then add the milk a half tablespoon at a time, whisking until you reach the desired consistency.
    • Use immediately, or store for later. Enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 226kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 69mg | Potassium: 3mg | Sugar: 39g | Vitamin A: 236IU | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 1mg

    Here are more of our favorite chocolate recipes:

    • No-Bake Chocolate Cheesecake
    • Chocolate-Covered Wafer Cookies
    • Chocolate Bundt Cake
    • Best Chocolate Rice Krispies Treats
    • Double Chocolate Chip Muffins
    • More Desserts

    More frosting recipes:

    • Cinnamon Buttercream
    • Cream Cheese Frosting
    • Classic Buttercream Frosting
    • Eggnog Buttercream Frosting
    • Blood Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

    If you’ve tried this recipe, please rate it and leave a comment on this post. I love hearing feedback from you helps me and other readers too! If you love Pinterest,  feel free to leave a comment and photo there too.  Also, if you like to share, use the hashtag #thecarefreekitchen on Instagram and tag me @thecarefreekitchen so I can find you and give your post some love. You can also find me on Facebook at The Carefree Kitchen. Thank you!!

    pinterest pin for best chocolate buttercream frosting

    This Chocolate Buttercream Frosting is rich and creamy, silky smooth, super chocolatey and couldn't be simpler to make. Use it on birthday cakes, chocolate cupcakes, layered cakes and more.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Gina

      November 15, 2021 at 1:02 pm

      So easy and tasty! This has become my go-to recipe for frosting cakes and cupcakes!

      Reply
      • Jill Baird

        November 17, 2021 at 12:19 pm

        So glad you love it!

        Reply
    2. Nellie Tracy

      November 15, 2021 at 10:25 am

      Great recipe for chocolate buttercream. Perfect balance of bitter and sweet for my taste!

      Reply
      • Jill Baird

        November 17, 2021 at 12:20 pm

        Yes, it works on just about everything. so versitale!

        Reply

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