Rich, creamy Homemade Chocolate Buttercream Frosting is the literal icing on the cake. This delicious chocolate frosting is so easy to make and so much tastier than store-bought cake frosting.
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I have used store bought chocolate frosting (or icing as I always used to call it) my entire life. But, as a true chocolate addict, it was past time to give up store-bought for the real deal, homemade chocolate buttercream frosting. And, let me tell you, the difference is crazy!
Not only does homemade chocolate frosting taste so much better, it’s also not loaded with a bunch of ingredients that you don’t really need.
Store bought frostings are often made with corn syrup, oils, artificial flavors, food dyes (why?), and a bunch of other additives that you won’t find in this homemade chocolate frosting recipe.
All you need to make homemade chocolate frosting is butter, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, heavy whipping cream or milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. These are all real ingredients and no dye needed what-so-ever!
This is sure to be your new favorite chocolate buttercream frosting.
Why This Recipe Works
It’s so easy! I think a big part of why I never made my own frosting in the past was that I thought it was much more difficult than it actually is. All you need is a mixer and a few pantry ingredients.
This recipe takes about 5-10 minutes to make. So, while picking up a tub of frosting on your next shopping trip might seem super convenient, it’s actually not saving you much time after all. You can easily whip up a batch of creamy, delicious frosting before your cupcakes are even done baking.
And, of course, it tastes amazing! This chocolate buttercream frosting is the best I’ve ever had, and I’ve had a lot of chocolate frosting over the years. You can use it on all of your favorite cakes, cupcakes, and cookie recipes!
I always use this on my Mini Vanilla Cupcakes and, of course, Mini Chocolate Cupcakes (recipe for these tasty little beauties coming soon!).
How To Make Homemade Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients
- Unsalted butter is used so that you can control the amount of salt in this recipe. I just use a pinch, so the amount in salted butter may be too much.
- I prefer to use heavy whipping cream for a richer, thicker frosting, but you can also use whole milk, if you prefer.
- For the best flavor, use real, pure vanilla extract.
Prep!
You will want to set your butter out for about at least an hour before you make your frosting. This will give it time to come to room temperature so that it will blend into the other ingredients for the creamiest frosting possible.
Create!
The steps to making buttercream are very simple:
- Cream the butter in an electric mixer.
- Blend in the sugar, cocoa powder, salt, and vanilla.
- Gradually add heavy cream until the desired consistency is reached
Present!
You can now pip your frosting with a piping tip and bag, or spread it with a spatula.
Tips and Techniques
- You can use milk in place of the heavy cream, if preferred.
- Control the consistency of the frosting with the heavy cream. Add less for thicker frosting, and add more for thinner, more spreadable frosting.
- Do not attempt to frost a warm cake or dessert. The icing will not adhere to the cake as well and may slide off.
- You can substitute dark cocoa powder to make an even richer, dark chocolate buttercream frosting.
How To Store Buttercream Frosting
Buttercream frosting can be stored, tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Allow it to come to room temperature before using to make it easier to pipe or spread.
You can also freeze buttercream frosting for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator, then allow it to come to room temperature before piping or spreading onto baked goods.
FAQ’s
What Is The Difference Between Buttercream Frosting And Regular Frosting?
Buttercream frosting is made with butter. Different types of frosting can also be made with vegetable shortening or cream cheese.
How Far In Advance Can You Make Buttercream?
You can store buttercream in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, or in the freezer for up to 2 months. You will want to thaw it and allow it to come to room temperature before using it.
What Can You Use Buttercream Frosting On?
Buttercream frosting is most often used on cakes and cupcakes, but you can also use it on brownies, cookies, in between cookies to make sandwiches, or in whoopie pies.
More Recipes With Frosting
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Homemade Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients
- 1 stick unsalted butter * at room temperature
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- Cream the butter in an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and salt.
- Slowly pour in the heavy cream until the desired consistency is reached.
- You can now pipe or spread the frosting onto your desserts.
Notes
Tips and Techniques
- You can use milk in place of the heavy cream, if preferred.
- Control the consistency of the frosting with the heavy cream. Add less for thicker frosting, and add more for thinner, more spreadable frosting.
- Do not attempt to frost a warm cake or dessert. The icing will not adhere to the cake as well and may slide off.
- You can substitute dark cocoa powder to make an even richer, dark chocolate buttercream frosting.
Mka says
Is this icing the type that you could pipe on mini brownie bites? If so would it taste good on them?
Lauren Vavala says
Hi! Yes, you can pipe this frosting onto brownie bites. It’s just a regular chocolate frosting. Go slow adding the milk so that you can get the right consistency that you want…but you can also always add a little more powdered sugar if it thins too much for you.
– Lauren
Traci says
So easy and perfect! Everyone needs a go to chocolate buttercream frosting. This is IT! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Melinda Fewless says
I kind of just want to keep a bowl of this in my fridge at all times for snacking!! So good!!
Kara says
This recipe is great! Heavy cream is the way to go.
Jess says
I love that I can make this so easily with ingredients I already have on hand. Way better than store bought!
Amy says
This frosting looks perfect, what a great recipe!