Published
Ditch the store bought chocolate frosting and whip up a batch of this easy and delicious Chocolate Buttercream Icing! Perfect for a fluffy crowning on cakes and cupcakes.
Chocolate Buttercream Frosting Recipe
This light and fluffy Chocolate Buttercream Icing the perfect way to top cakes! So easy and so delicious, it’s a chocolate frosting recipe that’ll blow your mind, perfect for piping on your favorite desserts.
Why you’ll love this Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
- An easy homemade frosting. Made in just 5 mins with 5 ingredients, simple and easy!
- Better than store bought. So easy and delicious, you won’t go back to packaged icing.
- A fluffy buttercream frosting. Light, fluffy and with the perfect level of creamy sweetness.
How to make this Chocolate Buttercream Icing
You can jump to the recipe card for full ingredients & instructions!
- Cream the butter: In a large bowl, use your hand mixer to cream butter until smooth, about one minute. Then add the vanilla extract.
- Add the dry ingredients: Sift in the dry ingredients. Then slowly add the milk.
- Mix: Mix on low for about a minute to achieve a light and airy icing.
How do I stop my Buttercream Frosting from being lumpy?
To ensure a lovely and smooth chocolate buttercream icing, measure then sift your confectioner’s sugar and cocoa powder to prevent lumps and achieve a smooth, grit free icing.
How do I store Buttercream Frosting?
This buttercream icing does not have to be stored in a fridge right away. But it should be stored in an airtight container in a cool dry area. It can be stored in the fridge for up to a week and in the freezer for two months.
What’s the best cupcakes for this Buttercream Icing?
This icing is especially delicious on yellow and chocolate cakes, it adds a rich and creamy topping to so many baked treats! These pictures are of Devil’s Food Cupcakes.
Can I add this frosting to warm cakes?
Allow your cakes or cupcakes to fully cool down before adding the Chocolate Buttercream Icing. This is because the recipe contains butter which will melt at higher temperatures.
Top Tips
- It takes butter 30-60 minutes to soften at room temperature.
- I’d avoid using the microwave to melt the butter. Even if you have a turntable, butter softens unevenly.
- Leave out the cocoa powder for a perfect classic vanilla buttercream icing.
- Confectioner’s sugar is another term for powdered sugar.
Prefer vanilla? Try this easy vanilla frosting recipe instead!
Equipment you’ll need
- Sifter
- Icing Bag
- Pastry Tip
More Delicious Cake Recipes
Have you tried this Chocolate Buttercream Icing? Feel free to leave a star rating and I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
Chocolate Buttercream Frosting Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter 226 grams, room temperature (2 sticks)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 4 grams
- 4 cups powdered sugar 452 grams
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder 63 grams
- ¼ cup whole milk 57 grams, room temperature
Video
Instructions
- In a large bowl, using a hand mixer, cream the butter until smooth, about 1 minute1 cup unsalted butter
- Add the vanilla extract, and beat to incorporate1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Using a fine-mesh sieve, sift in the powdered sugar and cocoa powder, then mix until well combined4 cups powdered sugar, ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- Slowly add the milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, to reach desired consistency.¼ cup whole milk
- Mix on low for about 1 minute to achieve a light and airy icing
- Use a piping bag and tip (Ateco # 828 – Open Star Pastry Tip .63'') or other icing tool to decorate your cooled cakes.
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- Hand Mixer
- Fine Mesh Sieve
- Piping Tip Set
Becky’s Tips
- This recipe yields 3 cups (48 tablespoons) of frosting. A serving is 2 tablespoons.
- It takes butter 30-60 minutes to soften at room temperature.
- I’d avoid using the microwave to melt the butter. Even if you have a turntable, butter softens unevenly.
- Leave out the cocoa powder for a perfect classic vanilla buttercream icing.
- Confectioner’s sugar is another term for powdered sugar.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
It was easy to make and delicious!
I made this recipe. It’s really good but it’s just a lot of buttercream I like it. It’s good but ehh
I made this tonight and the frosting is my new favorite. So easy and yummy!! Thank u
I made this frosting today and decorated some cupcakes with it. It taste delicious! I def recommend this recipe!
I had never made buttercream icing until this recipe…it was easy and delicious!!
What is room temperature? Room temperature here is 56-60 and in the kitchen it ia lid 54-58 . So is there a way I can get the butter to a warmer temperature more evenly than the microwave? Should I just put it near the fireplace? What is the temperature I’m attempting to achieve before I mix it
Hi Michael, let it soften on the counter for 30-60 minutes before using it.
Love, love it.
Ruined it myself. Im sure its a good recipe, but my hand mixer is too fast and ruined it from the start. Down the drain it goes!! 😔😔
Just ran and got some chocolate frosting from the store. I’ll try it when I have more skill! 💪
Oh, no! So sorry that happened Melody!
Delicious!!! Very rich and creamy!!!! Easy to make and easy to spread!!
Impressed! Just a delicious, easy and fudgy tasting frosting. No guessing on how long to mix. I’ve tried dozens and this by far is the best. Going to add this to my 5 star recipe rotation. Thank you.
Thank you Carol!