Chocolate Frosting (Buttercream)
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Chocolate frosting full of rich chocolate flavor made from scratch is so easy to prepare and a million times better than store bought!
This delicious chocolate buttercream frosting recipe is absolutely delicious on all your favorites sweets (or even just used for dipping pretzels). Use it to make a delicious chocolate version of our cake balls recipe!
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Chocolate Frosting
Chocolate Frosting (Buttercream)
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Chocolate Frosting Ingredients
- Butter – I like salted butter, but you can use unsalted if you prefer.
- Chocolate – Unsweetened. Also sometimes referred to as baking chocolate.
- Sugar – Powdered sugar, also called confectioners sugar or icing sugar.
- Vanilla – Real vanilla extract.
- Milk – Whole milk works best.
How do you make chocolate frosting? (step-by-step)
⭐ First, melt your butter and unsweetened chocolate.
⭐ Next, in a large bowl add the powdered sugar, vanilla and chocolate mixture.
⭐ Then, whip with an electric mixer until all combined.
⭐ Finally, pour in milk and continue mixing, slowly add more milk as desired until desired consistency is reached.
Preparation
Can you make chocolate frosting ahead of time?
Absolutely! This is a great way to cut down on bake day prep time. Store it in the refrigerator for a day or two, or in the freezer for longer.
What kind of chocolate for chocolate buttercream frosting?
You’ll want to use unsweetened chocolate. We use chocolate as opposed to cocoa powder in this recipe for a richer flavor.
Try using different unsweetened chocolates until you find a brand and flavor you particularly love. (Dark unsweetened chocolate is delicious).
How do you make chocolate frosting thicker?
To thicken the frosting, slowly add additional powdered sugar while mixing with the electric mixer until you reach the desired consistency.
Leftovers and storage
Do you have to refrigerate chocolate frosting?
Yes, it should be refrigerated because it contains dairy (milk). Store in a clean airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Can you freeze chocolate buttercream frosting?
You can freeze buttercream frosting! Store in an airtight freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using.
Tips, tricks, and frequently asked questions
Is chocolate icing and frosting the same?
The terms frosting and icing are frequently used interchangeably, but if you want to get technical, frosting is typically fluffy whereas icing is often thinner or even runny.
How do you make chocolate frosting harden?
If you want your frosting to harden, you’ll want to add extra confectioner’s sugar (about half to 1 cup). The frosting will be thicker and stiffer, but should still be pipeable.
What to eat with chocolate buttercream frosting (serving suggestions)
Well, chocolate cake of course! But if you want some more delicious ideas, how about using it on our sugar cookie bars, chocolate chip cookie cups, chocolate mug cake, double chocolate mocha cupcakes, or this chocolate overload cake.
Or who doesn’t love the combination of orange + chocolate, so try it on our easy orange cake recipe!
More delicious chocolate recipes
- S’mores dip
- Muddy buddy recipe
- Peanut butter blossoms
- Chocolate chip pancakes
- Peanut butter chocolate lasagna
- Cosmic brownies
- See all our recipes with chocolate!
Other frostings and fillings you’ll enjoy
- Pumpkin spice cream frosting
- Cream cheese frosting
- Chocolate ganache
- Butterscotch ganache
- Eggnog frosting
- Chocolate mousse
- Lemon mousse
Tools we love
- 1M Open Star Piping Tip – This is my favorite piping tip and the one we use to make the rosettes on the side of our orange cake.
- Kitchenaid stand mixer – A work horse! If you do a lot of mixing, this is a must.
- Electric handheld mixer – I love my stand mixer, but this handheld version comes out at least as often if not more!
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How to Make Chocolate Frosting
Chocolate Frosting
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- 6 ounces unsweetened chocolate
- 2 pounds powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon real vanilla extract
- ¾ cup whole milk
Instructions
- Melt your butter and unsweetened chocolate in short increments in the microwave, or using a double boiler.
- In a large bowl add the powdered sugar, vanilla and the melted chocolate mixture.
- Whip together with a stand mixer or hand mixer until all combined.
- Add in half of the milk and continue mixing, adding more milk if needed to reach fluffy frosting consistency.
Notes
Nutrition
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Chocolate Frosting (Buttercream)
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Used this to frost some of my cupcakes I was making and it turned out perfectly and they were amazing.
My son is begging for a chocolate cake for his birthday and this frosting is perfect for the cake I’m making for the weekend. Can’t wait to add the frosting to this! Excited to surprise him!
I will never buy frosting in the store again. This recipe is the BEST! Super easy and perfectly fluffy!