Chocolate makes everything better! This amazing Chocolate Buttercream Frosting is so rich, sweet, and delicious. You will want to make a huge batch to use for all your incredible dessert recipes.
Best Whipped Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
This frosting recipe is just so good! This buttercream frosting is thick, creamy, and smooth. You can use this for a ton of different things like layering your cakes, filling your cupcakes, and frosting your desserts.
Simple Ingredients You’ll Need
Get the full list of ingredients, with measurements, and step-by-step directions at the bottom of the post in the printable recipe card.
- Butter
- Powdered Sugar
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- Heavy Whipping Cream or Milk
- Salt
- Vanilla Extract
How To Make The Best Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
This is the easiest and most simple way to get the best frosting you will ever have. Follow these quick steps to get you the perfect frosting in minutes.
Step 1. Beat the butter in an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes until creamy.
Step 2. Add in the remaining ingredients and combine on low speed for 30-seconds, then increase the speed to high speed for another minute.
Step 3. Add more powdered sugar if it’s too thin and more milk if it’s too thick. Frost your dessert and enjoy!
What Tastes Best With Chocolate Buttercream?
This Chocolate Buttercream is so delicious, and I have made this for almost all of my chocolate desserts. Some examples are a great chocolate buttercream frosting dessert is:
- Cookies and Cream Cupcakes
- Yellow Cupcakes
- Coconut Cupcakes
- Pumpkin Cupcakes
- Banana Cupcakes
- Chocolate Cupcakes
Simple Variations For Chocolate Buttercream Frosting:
Having variations for recipes can not only give you more things to try, but it can change the texture or consistency of any dessert you need. Here is a list of some great variations to try for chocolate frosting.
Darker Chocolate
I love a good dark chocolate frosting! If you want the same, you can substitute the cocoa powder for a dark cocoa powder like Hershey’s Special Dark.
Add-Ins
Try adding a bit of additional flavor to the chocolate frosting by adding some peppermint extract or citrus flavors like lemon, lime, or orange. Start off with just a bit and add more until you reach your desired flavor.
Filling
I love buttercream because it is an awesome frosting AND filling! Use this to top your cupcakes as well as fill them. Cut out a hole in the center of the cupcake and fill it with the chocolate buttercream, then top it with some more!
Can I Substitute Heavy Cream?
Instead of using heavy creamy for this frosting, you can substitute it with milk. You can use the milk to thin out the frosting, but you will want to use a little less than the amount needed for the heavy cream. Pour in the milk until you reach the desired consistency.
Can I Add Espresso Powder To This Recipe?
Yes! I love a good rich and delicious chocolate frosting! To make it richer, you can add about 1/2 to 1 tsp of instant espresso powder. You can add this in when you add in the cocoa powder.
Tips for the Best Chocolate Buttercream
I absolutely LOVE chocolate buttercream frosting because it is simple to make and tastes SO good. To make sure that this frosting comes out in the best way possible. Below I have a few great tips to help you out!
- You want to make sure to be using room temperature butter for this recipe. It is easier to work with and can make a super smooth, glossy frosting without worrying about clumps.
- Make sure to slowly add your powdered sugar into the mixture until it’s moist, then increase the speed of your mixer. This will avoid a puff cloud of powdered sugar smoke going in your face and making a mess!
Tips For Homemade Chocolate Frosting:
We can all use a few cooking tips to help us out every now and then. Here are a few great tips I like to use often.
- If you want a stiffer frosting, you can add confectioners’ sugar.
- If you want a softer frosting, you can add more milk or heavy cream.
- Make sure that when you frost your cupcakes or cakes you decorate right away. You don’t want to wait too long to add your sprinkles and have them roll-off.
How To Store Chocolate Buttercream Frosting?
Here are a few ways to store your chocolate frosting so it can last for as long as you need. I would first like to say that each storing method requires you to place the frosting into an airtight container or Ziploc bag.
This recipe can be stored at room temperature for about 2-3 days. For longer shelf life, it can be stored in the fridge for up to 14 days. When you’re ready, make sure to thaw to room temperature before using.
To extend the shelf life even greater, you can place it in the freezer for up to 3 months. For this, you will need to thaw it in the fridge before bringing it to room temperature. If you find that the mixture is too soft, you can add a bit more powdered sugar.
Does Chocolate Buttercream Frosting Need To Be Refrigerated?
This frosting does not need to be stored in the refrigerator. But, it will help with the shelf life of the recipe as well as whatever dessert you are frosting. It can be kept on the counter for a couple of days if you have a cool kitchen and the recipe is stored properly.
Can This Chocolate Buttercream Frosting Be Made In Advance?
Sometimes I need my frosting or dessert made ahead of time, and this chocolate frosting is great for that. This can amazingly be stored up to 4 days in advance.
No, this recipe is not the same as Billy’s Buttercream Frosting. In this recipe, I am going to be using cocoa powder instead of semi-sweet chocolate chips like Billy’s Buttercream.
If you find yourself with a separated or almost curdled frosting, it can be from not using the ingredients at room temperature. When your butter is being used cold, it can cause you to have clumps. If the frosting is too thin, you will need more powdered sugar until you reach your desired consistency. It could also be dry or even powdered and if so, add more milk a teaspoon at a time.
I love using unsweetened natural cocoa powder like Hershey’s brand. You can also use a dutch process cocoa powder as well for this chocolate buttercream recipe.
Sometimes I go to try my frosting and feel my teeth crack from how sweet it turned out. If you find yourself in the same situation, you can add a pinch of salt or use salted butter to reduce the sweetness. You can also cut the powdered sugar down by 1-2 cups along with reducing the amount of milk you will need.
I used to be super paranoid about sifting my ingredients! It has always been said that you MUST sift your ingredients, but you don’t as it won’t make much of a difference.
I’ve been told that you can cause air bubbles in your buttercream from overmixing, but I personally have never had an issue with overmixing my frosting.
How Much Chocolate Frosting Does This Make?
This recipe includes enough frosting to make 12-16 cupcakes or a 9 x 13-inch quarter sheet cake with a thin layer of frosting. So, about 2.5 cups of frosting.
More Frosting Recipes:
- Easiest American Buttercream Frosting
- Lemon Frosting
- Easy 2 Ingredient Mint Chocolate Frosting Fudge
Old Fashioned Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter unsalted softened to room temperature
- 3 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar
- ½ cup cocoa powder unsweetened natural or dutch-process cocoa powder
- 3 tablespoon heavy cream or milk
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Directions
- Using a hand mixer or standing mixer, beat the butter on medium speed with a paddle or whisk attachment for about 2-minutes until creamy.
- In the mixing bowl, put in the confectioners’ sugar, cocoa powder, heavy cream, salt, and vanilla extract and combine for 30 seconds on low speed. Then turn the speed to high and combine for an additional minute.
- If the frosting is too thin, you can add ¼ cup powdered sugar. If its too thick, add a tablespoon of cream or milk. You can add a pinch of salt, if desired.
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