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    Home » Desserts » Chocolate Buttercream Frosting - the Perfect Cake Topping

    Published: Sep 9, 2020 · Modified: Feb 26, 2022 by Nancy · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Chocolate Buttercream Frosting - the Perfect Cake Topping

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Chocolate cake covered with chocolate buttercream frosting sitting on a round cake platter

    This chocolate buttercream frosting is a creamy, chocolatey, perfect topping for your favorite dessert cake.

    Why Buy It When It's So Easy To Make?

    I'm all for modern conveniences, but not when it comes to frostings. They are so easy to make with things you probably already have on hand, plus they taste incredibly fresh and delicious. And there's something to be said about having things homemade, without all those preservatives. So why reach for one on the store shelf when you can easily make it the old fashioned way?

    Can Something Really Be Too Chocolatey?

    Another bonus to making homemade frosting is that you can adjust the flavorings to your exact liking. Kevin and I both LOVE chocolate, so there is no such thing as too chocolatey for either one of us. But this buttercream frosting has a lot of cocoa in it, so if you're one of those aliens that doesn't like the chocolate flavor to be too strong, you may want to cut it back. Start by mixing it with only ½ cup of the cocoa, then taste it. If more chocolate is okay with you, then add the final ¼ cup at the end.

    Five Ingredients Is All You Need

    Here's everything you'll need to whip up this delicious chocolate buttercream frosting:

    • Butter
    • Powdered sugar
    • Cocoa powder
    • Vanilla extract
    • Milk

    I bet you don't even need to go shopping!

    One Tip For Chocolate Buttercream Frosting Perfection

    The one thing you need to do that will guarantee perfect frosting is to allow the butter to come to room temperature so that it whips up nice and fluffy with the other ingredients. That means it will need to sit out for close to an hour. If you take your butter out of the refrigerator when you remove your cake from the oven, it will reach room temperature at about the same time your cake is ready to be frosted.

    Do you need a cake to go with your frosting? Try our decadent chocolate cake!

    Close up photo of chocolate cake covered in chocolate buttercream frosting

    Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

    Nancy Blackstone
    A smooth, creamy and delicious chocolate buttercream frosting that goes well on cake or cupcakes.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 5 hrs 16 mins
    Total Time 10 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 servings
    Calories 159 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 2 ⅓ cups powdered sugar
    • ¾ cups unsweetened cocoa powder
    • 6 tablespoons butter room temperature
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • ⅓ cup milk

    Instructions
     

    • Mix together powdered sugar and cocoa powder and set aside. You can start with ½ cup of cocoa and add more at the end if you want a lighter chocolate taste.
    • Put the butter in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until it is smooth and creamy. Mix in the vanilla. 
    • Add the sugar/cocoa mixture to the butter/vanilla and beat well. 
    • You can frost cake or cupcakes immediately.

    Notes

    Use whole milk for the creamiest texture
    You can use other milks and milk substitutes, but the frosting may turn out thinner 
    If you use unsalted butter, add ¼ teaspoon of salt to the batter
    For a less chocolatey taste, reduce the cocoa powder to ½ cup

    Nutrition

    Calories: 159kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 1gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 55mgPotassium: 94mgFiber: 2gSugar: 23gVitamin A: 186IUCalcium: 17mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword best chocolate frosting, buttercream, cake frosting, chocolate dessert, Dessert topping, ultra chocolatey frosting
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Nancy and Bentley

    Hi, I'm Nancy! Welcome to Flourchild where I share classic mid-century recipes from the 1940's - 1970's. I feature many vintage handwritten recipes, and provide modern shortcuts and a variety of healthy and special diet-friendly versions whenever possible. Join me in exploring the delicious flavors and from-scratch cooking techniques of our past!

    More about me →

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