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    Home » Desserts » Easy Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

    Published: Nov 21, 2020. Modified: Mar 9, 2021 by Kemi · This post may contain affiliate links

    Easy Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

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    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    This easy chocolate buttercream frosting made with cocoa powder is super simple and quick to make. It's light, fluffy, and creamy. Learn how to make chocolate buttercream icing from scratch in quick steps

    chocolate buttercream frosting in a mixing bowl.

    If you like chocolate, you will love this chocolate frosting that you can use to fill, and decorate cupcakes, birthday cakes, and other types of cakes.

    This simple chocolate buttercream frosting is the perfect texture. Smooth, creamy, chocolatey, and just the right amount of sweetness. Like my vanilla buttercream icing and cream cheese frosting, it makes use of just a few ingredients. 3 main ingredients are all you need for this recipe.

    the frosting spread on a cake.

    Chocolate Buttercream Frosting Recipe (Chocolate Icing)

    For this chocolate buttercream icing recipe, no heavy tool is needed, all that is required is a mixing bowl, spatula, and mixer. This was made using a hand mixer but you can use a stand mixer if you prefer.

    This chocolate frosting is enough to cover an 8" cake and you can adjust how chocolatey you want the frosting by adjusting the cocoa powder quantity.

    It's better than store bought, cheap to make and perfect. You can also make this chocolate frosting ahead and store it in the fridge or freezer.

    Let me show you how to make the best chocolate buttercream icing with cocoa powder.

    8 inch cake decorated with the chocolate buttercream icing.

    Ingredients

    Butter

    Icing sugar - Also known as powdered or confectioners sugar.

    Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

    Milk - Optional

    ingredients displayed.

    How to make Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

    Step 1: Measure out the ingredients and bring the butter to room temperature.

    In a mixing bowl, add the butter then use the mixer to beat it at high speed for 2 minutes or till the butter is light.

    butter in a mixing bowl.

    Add the powdered sugar and cocoa powder and start by mix on low speed for a minute till it comes together before putting the mixer on high speed.

    icing sugar added in the mixing bowl.

    Add milk, then mix on high speed for 5 minutes until you get fluffy chocolate buttercream frosting.

    milk added into the mixing bowl.

    It’s then ready to use.

    chocolate buttercream frosting in a mixing bowl.

    How to store

    To store chocolate buttercream, put in a plastic piping bag or Ziploc, label with dates, and store in the fridge where it'll last for up to 5 days. To store for longer, put it in the freezer from the get-go. It will last in the freezer for up to 3 months.

    When you're ready to use it, bring out of the fridge or freezer, leave to thaw and get to room temperature, then add to a mixing bowl and mix with a hand or stand mixer for 4 minutes or until it’s light, creamy and fluffy.

    chocolate buttercream frosting spread on chocolate cake.

    Tips

    • Mix the butter till it is light before adding the icing/powdered sugar. 
    • To prevent icing dust from blowing all over, use a wet towel or bowl guard to cover the bowl thereby trapping in the icing dust.
    • If you feel the frosting is too thick you can make it lighter by adding a teaspoon of milk at a time and mixing till you get the desired consistency.
    • If the chocolate buttercream icing is not as firm as you'd like it and want it thicker, add more icing sugar a little at a time till it thickens to how you want it.
    8 inch cake decorated with the chocolate buttercream icing.

    What to Use Chocolate Buttercream on

    Chocolate cake

    Cupcakes

    Sponge cake

    Pound cake

    Madeira cake

    Cinnamon cake

    Hope you like this recipe as much as I do. If you find this post helpful, rate it 5 stars and leave me a comment below. I love reading from you.

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    Recipe

    chocolate buttercream frosting in a mixing bowl.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 2 votes

    Easy Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

    This easy chocolate buttercream frosting made with cocoa powder is super simple and quick to make. It's light, fluffy, and creamy. Learn how to make chocolate buttercream icing from scratch in quick steps.
    Prep Time5 minutes mins
    Mix time5 minutes mins
    Total Time10 minutes mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American, British
    Keyword: chocolate buttercream frosting, chocolate buttercream icing, easy chocolate buttercream frosting, how to make chocolate buttercream frosting
    Servings: 8 inch cake
    Calories: 472kcal
    Author: Kemi

    Equipment

    • Mixing bowl
    • Mixer - Hand or stand mixer
    • Spatula

    Ingredients

    • 250 g Butter
    • 480g Icing sugar
    • 40 g Unsweetened cocoa powder
    • 3 tablespoons Milk
    Metric - US customary

    Instructions

    • Measure out the ingredients and bring the butter to room temperature.
      ingredients displayed.
    • In a mixing bowl, add the butter then use the mixer to beat it at high speed for 2 minutes or till the butter is light.
      butter in a mixing bowl.
    • Add the powdered sugar and cocoa powder and start by mix on low speed for a minute till it comes together before putting the mixer on high speed.
      milk added into the mixing bowl.
    • Add milk, then mix on high speed for 5 minutes until you get fluffy chocolate buttercream frosting.
      It’s then ready to use.
      chocolate buttercream frosting in a mixing bowl.

    Notes

    Tips
    • Mix the butter till it is light before adding the icing/powdered sugar. 
    • To prevent icing dust from blowing all over, use a wet towel or bowl guard to cover the bowl thereby trapping in the icing dust.
    • If you feel the frosting is too thick you can make it lighter by adding a teaspoon of milk at a time and mixing till you get the desired consistency.
    • If the chocolate buttercream icing is not as firm as you'd like it and want it thicker, add more icing sugar a little at a time till it thickens to how you want it.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 472kcal | Carbohydrates: 63g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 68mg | Sodium: 228mg | Potassium: 91mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 59g | Vitamin A: 790IU | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg

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    « Instant Pot Dried Beans
    Easy Turkey Brine Recipe (How to Brine Turkey) »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ovy says

      August 10, 2021 at 3:35 pm

      Great. Thanks. Have learnt a lot on how to make my buttercream icing fluffy

      Reply
      • Kemi says

        August 24, 2021 at 12:40 am

        You're welcome.

        Reply
    2. Kubeshinee says

      February 11, 2023 at 8:27 am

      5 stars
      Fluffiest icing I've ever made, thank you for sharing your step by step method.

      Reply
      • Kemi says

        March 02, 2023 at 9:42 pm

        Thank you for the feedback 🙂

        Reply

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