Easy Chocolate Frosting Recipe
on Mar 10, 2022, Updated Feb 09, 2024
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If you have never made chocolate buttercream before, you may be surprised at how simple it is to do. This easy chocolate frosting recipe is great for a last minute chocolate fix and comes together in about ten minutes.
I am all about the shortcuts and sometimes that means buying frosting at the store. Other times, it means realizing I have everything I need to make my own and don’t have to go to the store at all!
Chocolate Frosting Ingredients
To make this easy frosting, you might have everything you need already. Here is what it takes.
- Butter (softened)
- Cocoa
- Confectioner’s Sugar
- Heavy whipping cream or milk
- Pure vanilla extract
- Salt (leave this out if you are using salted butter)
Once you have everything you need, there’s a little trick to bringing it together but it’s pretty simple.
How to make Chocolate Frosting
First, make sure the butter is softened but not melted. This will make the process so much easier.
Then, use an electric mixer to cream the butter. I recommend a nice deep mixing bowl for this because you have a lot of dry ingredients to add.
Starting with the cocoa, add a spoonful or two at a time so it doesn’t make a mess. Ask me how I know.
Once the cocoa is mixed in, repeat the little at a time process with the confectioner’s sugar.
Then you can add the cream to thin it out and finish with the vanilla and salt.
The first time I made this frosting, I had no idea it could be so simple. And I’m telling you, it is so delicious!
Spread it on cookies, cakes, brownies, or or add it to piping bag for cookie cups or cupcakes. You can even eat it by the spoonful. I won’t judge!
Print the Recipe
Chocolate frosting is so easy to make. This is a classic recipe and it’s my go to when I want to whip some up in a hurry. Enjoy!
Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
Equipment
- 1 Electric Mixer
- 1 Rubber Spatula
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- 1 Medium mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 6 TBSP butter, (softened)
- 2 1/3 Cup Powdered Sugar
- 3/4 Cup Cocoa Powder
- 1/3 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream, (or milk)
- 2 Tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
- 1 Pinch Salt, (omit if using salted butter)
Instructions
- Cream the butter using an electric mixer
- Add cocoa powder a little at a time and mix to incorporate
- Repeat with powdered sugar
- Drizzle in the cream a little at a time until you reach your desired consistency
- Add salt and vanilla and stir
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
