In just 10 minutes, turn any dessert into a fudge-filled dream with this Chocolate Buttercream Frosting!
If there’s anything that unlocks my deepest childhood memories, it’s chocolate buttercream frosting. My mom would whip this up for birthday cakes throughout the year, since she was the “head baker” of our family. Sometimes, she would even make it to frost cookies with during Christmastime. I’ve always preferred chocolate to vanilla, so this wasn’t just a treat for me: it was my favorite way to decorate a cake or a gingerbread cookie. It might not look colorful, but the luscious chocolate flavor sets off fireworks of joy on my taste buds.
Whether you’re a novice baker or a professional pastry chef, chocolate buttercream is a must-have for anyone’s personal cookbook. It’s so simple, it only takes 10 minutes to whip up, and yet it can elevate almost any dessert to bakery status. You can get fancy and pipe it through a pastry bag to create all kinds of swirly designs, or simply spread it on with a knife. Whether you choose to show off or not, this tasty chocolate buttercream lasts a while in the fridge, so keep it handy for your next family birthday cake or holiday baking session.
Is Chocolate Buttercream Frosting Healthy?
No, this chocolate buttercream frosting is a classic dessert topping made with sugar, butter, heavy cream, and cocoa, so it’s best enjoyed for special occasions only. This recipe doesn’t contain any gluten, so you can add it to your favorite gluten-free treats.
What Exactly is Buttercream?
Buttercream is exactly what it sounds like: a frosting in which butter acts as the primary fat. It creates the smooth texture of the frosting, making it both creamy and dense, and perfect for piping or spreading. The base of every buttercream (whether chocolate, vanilla, or another flavor) is butter, sugar, and heavy cream or milk. Whip these together and you’ve got a sweet and smooth topping for anything from cookies to cupcakes.
How to make ahead and store
You can make this frosting 2-3 days ahead of time. Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge and then bring it to room temperature before using it in your baked goods. For longer storage, you can freeze chocolate buttercream frosting in freezer bags for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and then re-whip before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Use chocolate buttercream frosting to top decadent desserts like German Chocolate Cake, Banana Chocolate Cupcakes, Eggless Sugar Cookies, Instant Pot Chocolate Cake, or Gluten-Free Strawberry Chocolate Cake. You could also sneak a scoop of buttercream onto a Brownie Chocolate Raspberry Mousse Parfait. However you dish out your desserts with chocolate buttercream, it’s sure to be a hit!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups salted butter softened
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder sifted
- 4 to 5 cups powdered sugar sifted
- 5 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the softened butter until it is creamy and light in color, about 3 minutes.
- Gradually add the cocoa powder and 4 cups of powdered sugar to the creamed butter, alternating with the heavy cream and vanilla extract. Adjust taste, adding up to 1 cup more of sugar if desired.
- Mix on low speed until all ingredients are combined, then increase to high speed and beat until the frosting is fluffy and smooth.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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