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Home » Frosting

Published: Aug 10, 2020 · Modified: Oct 26, 2020 by Kathy

Chocolate Buttercream

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Chocolate frosting swirled on a chocolate cupcake.

A perfect chocolate frosting for every day! 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.

Rich and delicious frosting

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. It's also a great option for adding to my buttermilk chocolate cake.

Ingredients

The ingredients are pretty simple:

  • Butter - I use salted butter
  • Powdered Sugar - If your powdered sugar is lumpy, sift it first.
  • 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. The 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 the desired consistency is met
  • If it is 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 it 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!

  • A slice of Rhubarb Coffee Cake on a small white plate.
    Rhubarb Coffee Cake
  • A slice of chocolate layer cake with the end piece sliced off with a fork.
    Chocolate Layer Cake
  • Chocolate Ganache with cocoa powder swirled on a layered cake.
    Chocolate Ganache
  • Brownie peanut butter cups stacked on a counter.
    Brownie Peanut Butter Cups
Three chocolate cupcakes topped with swirled chocolate buttercream.

Chocolate Buttercream

Kathy Berget
Creamy chocolate buttercream frosting
5 from 24 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 10 minutes 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
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

  • Oreo Buttercream Frosting swirled on cupcakes.
    Oreo Buttercream Frosting
  • A slice of chocolate cake on a white plate with a strawberry.
    Buttermilk Chocolate Cake
  • A yellow cupcake topped with a swirl of frosting.
    Buttercream Frosting
  • Pumpkin Spice Buttercream Frosting on a pumpkin spice cupcake.
    Pumpkin Spice Buttercream

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
  4. Fran @ G'day Souffle' says

    August 10, 2020 at 12:11 pm

    Hi Kathy, I see that I already made a comment here more than 2 years ago- how time does fly! When I saw your recipe for Chocolate Butter Cream appear in my in-box, I knew I had to come over and say 'hi' again- since you are definitely the BUTTER CREAM QUEEN!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      August 10, 2020 at 7:02 pm

      Hi Fran! So glad to hear from you again! You just can't go wrong with a classic. 🙂 And the Buttercream Queen! Wow!!! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Ashley I Benstrends says

    February 12, 2018 at 4:28 pm

    5 stars
    Looks creamy, chocolatey and the texture must be good. I love the many options it can be made from and how easy it can be done. I must try this with my kid! 🙂

    Reply
  6. Agness of Run Agness Run says

    February 02, 2018 at 2:28 am

    This chocolate frosting recipe seems like the ultimate recipe I will use for my cookies and cakes, Kathy! Thanks for the simple, easy, and detailed instructions. Saving your post!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      February 04, 2018 at 5:48 am

      Thanks, Agness! It will quickly become your favorite, go to recipe.

      Reply
  7. Stacey @ The Sugar Coated Cottage says

    January 30, 2018 at 8:48 am

    Yes please!! This buttercream looks heavenly!! Pinned. Take care.

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      February 04, 2018 at 5:58 am

      Thanks, Stacey!

      Reply
  8. David @ Spiced says

    January 29, 2018 at 4:47 am

    Umph...glad to hear you're back in the land of the living. The flu this year is particularly bad, and I'm just waiting for it to race through Robbie's daycare...which in turn means it comes home, too. (So far, we've been lucky.) And what a way to welcome you back after the flu with this buttercream post! It looks perfectly creamy, and I kinda just want to grab a spoon and dig straight in!

    Reply
  9. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

    January 28, 2018 at 5:43 am

    5 stars
    'Germ factory' - that's so funny!!! Happy to hear that you're feeling better, Kathy! This looks like one creamy chocolately buttercream. I'd like to think delicious for cupcakes, but it would be tempting to eat straight up, lol. Hope you're having a great weekend!

    Reply
  10. Natalie says

    January 28, 2018 at 4:09 am

    5 stars
    This buttercream looks delicious and has the perfect texture!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      January 29, 2018 at 5:38 am

      Thanks, Natalie!

      Reply
  11. Melissa Griffiths says

    January 27, 2018 at 6:31 pm

    Oh flu season has been so bad this year - glad you're feeling better! Buttercream is SO good - just the way to welcome yourself back into eating again! 🙂

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      January 29, 2018 at 5:34 am

      Thanks, Melissa!

      Reply
  12. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

    January 27, 2018 at 1:14 pm

    Oh no Kathy! Glad you're on the road to recovery. I'm hoping I can escape the flu this year. This buttercream looks delicious. It's one of my favorite types of icing. Thanks so sharing. Get better!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      January 29, 2018 at 5:27 am

      Thanks, MaryAnn! I'm on the mend. 🙂

      Reply
  13. Fran @ G'day Souffle' says

    January 27, 2018 at 7:39 am

    HI Kathy, I remember several of your previous Butter Cream Icing posts- that certainly seems to be your specialty! I am envious of your piping technique- I can never get those 'frills' to come out nicely when I pipe (I probably need to get a different piping nozzle). Good to hear you're feeling better!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      January 29, 2018 at 5:23 am

      Hi Fran,
      The piping tip does make a difference. I use a large tip when piping cupcakes.

      Reply
5 from 24 votes (19 ratings without comment)

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