A perfect chocolate frosting for everyday! This chocolate buttercream is smooth and creamy and perfect for spreading on a cake or piping onto cupcakes.
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
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.
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!
Frequently asked questions
This frosting will keep up to two weeks if covered and refrigerated
This frosting is made with butter and will not hold up to hot temperatures.
You can add a bit more milk if the frosting is too thick
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
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!
Chocolate Buttercream
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
- 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
Nutrition
This post was originally published in January of 2018. The pictures, the post and recipe have been updated.
Kelly | Foodtasia says
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!
Rahul @samosastreet.com says
I have never made frosting before. This looks super creamy. I find your recipe very easy for a beginner like me. Thanks
Kathy says
Thanks, Raul! Enjoy!!!
David @ Spiced says
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??
Kathy says
It's been a closely guarded family secret for years - 😉 You've got to give it a try.