Chocolate Buttercream Frosting is one of those simple recipes we love because it makes cupcakes, cakes, brownies, and cookies feel instantly more amazing and delicious!
For this recipe, butter, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and a pinch of salt whip together into a smooth, fluffy chocolate frosting that is out of this world.
We love this frosting because it’s rich without being complicated and pipes beautifully once it’s beaten until light and fluffy. It’s perfect for birthday cupcakes, chocolate cakes, layered desserts, or anytime you need an easy homemade frosting.
If you love this frosting, be sure to try Vanilla Buttercream Frosting, Cream Cheese Frosting, Chocolate Cupcakes, and Texas Sheet Cake.
Why you’ll love it + Why it works:
- Quick + Easy: This tasty recipe is ready in only 10 minutes!
- Simple Ingredients: Nothing fancy, most likely the supplies are in your pantry!
- Whipped Butter: Beating the butter first creates a light, fluffy frosting.
- A Must: It’s the perfect compliment for cakes, cupcakes, bars, cookies, and any other thing you want to smother!
Chocolate Buttercream Frosting Ingredients
- Butter (½ cup, softened): Creates the rich, creamy base of the frosting. Unsalted butter is preferred for the best flavor. See how to soften butter.
- Cocoa Powder (¼ cup): Gives the frosting its rich chocolate flavor. Natural or Dutch-process cocoa both work well.
- Powdered Sugar (1½ cups): Sweetens and thickens the frosting while keeping it smooth.
- Milk or Half-and-Half (2 tablespoons): Helps create a creamy, spreadable consistency. Half-and-half makes the frosting a little richer.
- Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances the chocolate flavor and adds sweetness.
- Salt (pinch): Balances the sweetness and deepens the chocolate flavor.
How to Make Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
COMBINE. In a medium bowl, beat together the butter and cocoa powder until light and fluffy.
Add the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and salt. Mix until well blended, adding additional milk if needed to bring the frosting together.
Continue to beat for 3-5 minutes, until light and fluffy.
FROST. Pipe the buttercream onto the cooled cupcakes.
Piping Tips
I generally only use my piping tips when I’m topping cupcakes or other small desserts. The following steps are how I pipe onto cupcakes, but you may find the tips adaptable to other treats.
- Choose your tip. The larger the tip the thicker the piping will be. I use Ateco 808 for smooth piping and Ateco 844 tip for star piping.
- Fill the bag. Place the tip of choice at the bottom of a piping bag, place the bag in a tall cup, and fold over the edges. Using a spatula, fill the bag with frosting leaving enough space to twist the top of the bag closed.
- If you don’t have a piping bag, trim the corner off of a Gallon Ziploc bag. It will have a smooth edge like the Ateco 808.
- Frost. Make one dollop of frosting in the center of the cupcake as a guide.
- Frost around the center dollop. Once you have gone a full rotation lift up to the second layer, moving inward slightly, and continue squeezing out the frosting. Repeat layers until you’re happy with the height and look.
- Use even, steady pressure the entire time as you push out the frosting.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Use softened butter for the smoothest, fluffiest frosting.
- Beat the frosting for the full 3 to 5 minutes to create a light, airy texture.
- Add milk 1 teaspoon at a time if the frosting is too thick, or add powdered sugar if it’s too soft.
- Always frost completely cooled baked goods so the buttercream holds its shape.
Chocolate Buttercream Frosting Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter softened
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 1½ cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk or half and half
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Beat together the butter and cocoa powder until light and fluffy.
- Add the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and salt. Mix until well blended, adding additional milk if needed to bring the frosting together.
- Continue to beat for 3-5 minutes, until light and fluffy.
- Pipe the buttercream onto the cooled cupcakes.
Notes
- Use softened butter for the smoothest, fluffiest frosting.
- Beat the frosting for the full 3 to 5 minutes to create a light, airy texture.
- Add milk 1 teaspoon at a time if the frosting is too thick, or add powdered sugar if it’s too soft.
- Always frost completely cooled baked goods so the buttercream holds its shape.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. Bring it to room temperature and remix before frosting your dessert.
Store chocolate buttercream frosting recipe in an airtight freezer-safe container for 2-3 months. Thaw in the fridge and then bring to room temperature. Mix well before using.
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This recipe was first shared June, 2020.
Delicious. Doubled the recipe because I split each layer of a 2 layer cake. Should have tripled the recipe. But it is great!
Wish I could put a picture!
I wish I could see a picture too! It sounds beautiful! So glad you enjoyed the frosting recipe.
I just love how I can count on my favorite food bloggers to give me tried and true recipes. Years ago I gave up on making my own frosting as it always seemed too heavy and rich. I found your recipe and thought I’d give it a try. Oh my gosh what a winner!!! My family just raved about it. Just like you described, creamy, fluffy and delicious. I even skipped the sifting step and had no lumps. Simple to make recipe and whips up in no time. My boys asked for extra frosting next time, I think that says it all. Thanks again.
It tastes like something from Louis Bakery! I’ve never had good luck with homemade frosting, but I adore this. I made it and put it on a cake for my Mom’s 45th birthday. ❤
Oh thank you for your sweet words! How awesome you used this buttercream recipe for your mom’s cake. Hope she enjoyed it too! 🙂
This was so good! But needed more because I wanted to just gobble it down!
I feel the same way when I make this frosting! Thanks so much for trying it!
I’m not always a fan of homemade chocolate frosting, but this is really good.
Homemade frosting is always my first choice. This frosting will not disAppoint!
The fluffiest & most delicious frosting! I am excited to try it on cake & brownies!
Great recipe for chocolate lover like me, just tried it, really yummy and easy to make!
Yes, it really is the best for chocolate lovers! Glad you liked it! Thank you!