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Home » Frosting » Chocolate Buttercream

Published: Aug 10, 2020 · Modified: Oct 26, 2020 by Kathy · This post may contain affiliate links

Chocolate Buttercream

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Chocolate frosting swirled on a chocolate cupcake.

A perfect chocolate frosting for everyday! This chocolate buttercream is smooth and creamy and perfect for spreading on a cake or piping onto cupcakes.

Three chocolate cupcakes topped with swirled chocolate buttercream.
Table of Contents
Why make this recipe
Ingredients
To make frosting
Tips for making buttercream
What to do with leftover frosting?
Frequently asked questions
More Buttercream Recipes
Chocolate Buttercream

Why make this recipe

A classic buttercream frosting is perfect for adding to any cake or cupcake. This chocolate version is full of flavor and easy to make.

Making your own frosting isn't difficult and the results are so much better than anything you can buy.

This chocolate buttercream is perfect for piping or for spreading with a knife.

This is my favorite frosting for adding to my chocolate mayonnaise cupcakes or Oreo cupcakes.

Ingredients

The ingredients are pretty simple:

  • Butter - I use salted butter
  • Powdered Sugar
  • Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
  • Vanilla
  • Milk or Cream
Butter, powdered sugar, cocoa powder and vanilla displayed together.

To make frosting

  • Place softened butter in a mixing bowl. Mix until creamy and smooth
  • Add powdered sugar and cocoa powder. Mix until incorporated. Mixture will be thick
  • Add vanilla and two tablespoons of milk and mix
  • Continue adding one tablespoon at a time of milk until desired consistency.
A powdery mixture in a mixing bowl.
Mixed chocolate frosting in a mixing bowl.

Tips for making buttercream

  • Make certain your butter is very soft but not melted
  • Sift powdered sugar if lumpy
  • Add milk a little at a time until desired consistency is met
  • If too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar
  • Don't over whip frosting or it may become full of tiny air holes

I use a stand mixer to mix up this frosting. It does make the job quick and easy.  My mom always mixes this by hand. I don't think I've ever seen her do it any other way. Either way works fine, just make certain your butter is softened before you begin.

What to do with leftover frosting?

If you end up with any leftover frosting, you can store covered in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Another idea is one my mom uses and is one of my dad's favorite treats! Take two graham crackers and spread the top of one with frosting. Place other graham on top and you have a graham cracker frosting sandwich!

When I was little, my mom would always make this treat anytime she made a cake or cupcakes with frosting. The best part was we were able to snack on these as an afternoon treat and then we would have the cake for dessert after dinner.

She still makes these treats today and my dad still loves them!

Chocolate frosting being piped onto a chocolate cupcake.

Frequently asked questions

How long will this frosting keep?

This frosting will keep up to two weeks if covered and refrigerated

Will this frosting hold up to hot temperatures?
This frosting is made with butter and will not hold up to hot temperatures.

What if the frosting is too thick?

You can add a bit more milk if the frosting is too thick

How much buttercream do I need?

The amount of buttercream you need depends on what you are using it on and how you are using it. This recipe makes about 2 ½ cups of frosting.

That is enough frosting to cover a 9 x 13 inch cake if you apply with a knife. It will cover 24 cupcakes when spread with a knife. The coverage is less if piping the frosting.

More Buttercream Recipes

  • Buttercream with vanilla
  • Lemon Buttercream
  • Pumpkin Spice Buttercream
  • Oreo Buttercream
A chocolate cupcake topped with chocolate swirled frosting.

If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop

Check out all my delicious dessert recipes!

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    Ginger Cookies
  • A plate filled with red and white meringues.
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Three chocolate cupcakes topped with swirled chocolate buttercream.

Chocolate Buttercream

Kathy
Creamy chocolate buttercream frosting
5 from 12 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 10 mins
Total Time 10 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 2 Cups
Calories 182 kcal

Equipment

  • Stand Mixer
  • Measuring Cups
  • Measuring Spoons
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup butter (softened)
  • 1 pound powdered sugar (approximately 3 ½ cups)
  • 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla
  • 4 tablespoons cream or milk

Instructions
 

  • Place butter in bowl. Mix until creamy and smooth.
    1 cup butter
  • Add powdered sugar and cocoa powder. Mix until incorporated. Mixture will be thick. 
    1 pound powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • Add vanilla and 2 tablespoons of cream. Mix well. Continue adding cream until buttercream reaches the desired consistency. 
    ½ teaspoon vanilla, 4 tablespoons cream or milk
  • Use right away or cover in an airtight container and refrigerate. 

Notes

Tips for making buttercream
  • Make certain your butter is very soft but not melted
  • Sift powdered sugar if lumpy
  • Add milk a little at a time until desired consistency is met
  • If too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar
This recipe makes approximately 2 ½ cups of buttercream. 
Nutritional values were calculated at 2 tablespoons per serving.

Nutritional Disclaimer:

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.

Nutrition

Serving: 2TablespoonsCalories: 182kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 1gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 29mgSodium: 83mgPotassium: 16mgFiber: 1gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 328IUCalcium: 6mgIron: 1mg
Keyword buttercream, buttercream frosting, chocolate buttercream, chocolate frosting
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @BeyondTheChickenCoop or tag #beyondthechickencoop!

This post was originally published in January of 2018. The pictures, the post and recipe have been updated.

More Frosting

  • Frosting swirl on top of a yellow cupcake.
    Oreo Buttercream
  • A yellow cupcake topped with a swirl of frosting.
    Buttercream Frosting
  • Pumpkin Spice Buttercream Frosting on a pumpkin spice cupcake.
    Pumpkin Spice Buttercream
  • Lemon cupcakes
    Lemon Buttercream
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kelly | Foodtasia says

    August 13, 2020 at 12:44 pm

    5 stars
    Kathy, this chocolate buttercream is absolutely dreamy! Love the idea of putting leftover frosting on graham crackers. My mom used to make those for after school snacks when we were young. I had totally forgotten about them!

    Reply
  2. Rahul @samosastreet.com says

    August 11, 2020 at 4:07 pm

    I have never made frosting before. This looks super creamy. I find your recipe very easy for a beginner like me. Thanks

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      August 13, 2020 at 8:02 am

      Thanks, Raul! Enjoy!!!

      Reply
  3. David @ Spiced says

    August 11, 2020 at 5:15 am

    5 stars
    A good chocolate buttercream recipe is worth it's weight in gold! I love keeping recipes like this in my back pocket as they can be used in so many different ways...like on graham crackers!? Why am I just now hearing about this idea??

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      August 11, 2020 at 5:18 am

      It's been a closely guarded family secret for years - 😉 You've got to give it a try.

      Reply
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