Perfect Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

This Chocolate Buttercream is perfection! It is light and fluffy and has the perfect chocolate touch! It is my go-to chocolate frosting recipe!

This Chocolate Buttercream is perfection! It is light and fluffy and has the perfect chocolate touch! It is my go-to chocolate frosting recipe!

Today’s post is dedicated to my dear friend Joan of the blog Chocolate Chocolate and More. Last week, my sweet friend Joan passed away of a heart attack in her sleep. She was in her late 40s and still so full of life. This tragic event has left me, the blogging community and of course her family in devastation. She left behind 3 cute kids, which as a mother of 3 myself, complete tugs and pulls at my heartstrings all the more. Her death came as a complete shock and to be quite honest, I am still in shock about it. Joan was such a tremendous part of the food blogging community and was always the first to extend her hand in her knowledge and friendship. She was such a kind person and really made it a point to make everyone feel like a good friend of hers. Its so crazy to me, that someone I have only had online interaction with through this crazy blogging journey, could become such a dear and wonderful friend of mine. Joan was among the greats and will be terribly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her and by those who enjoyed her fabulous recipes.

With today being National Chocolate Day, the food blogging community only finds it fitting to post a yummy chocolate recipe in dedication to our incredible friend. From her blog name, Chocolate, Chocolate and More, It is pretty obvious Joan was  huge fan of anything chocolate. Which is why I want to share with you my FAVORITE and GO TO recipe for Chocolate Buttercream Frosting.

This recipe is perfect in flavor and fluffy in consistency. It is perfect for frosting just about any dessert you can think of as far as cakes, brownies, cookies and bars are concerned ;)

Chocolate is my true food love. I was shocked I hadn’t yet shared this wonderful recipe with you yet, but am honored to be able to share it with you today. You are going to LOVE this recipe!

Perfect Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

This Chocolate Buttercream is perfection! It is light and fluffy and has the perfect chocolate touch! It is my go-to chocolate frosting recipe!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 36
Calories 113kcal

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup butter softened
  • 4 1/2 cups powdered sugar may need an additional 1/2 cup more to thicken
  • 4 Tablespoons cocoa
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 5 Tablespoons heavy cream may use milk if preferred
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl combine butter, powdered sugar, cocoa, vanilla, cream/milk, and salt and beat for 5-7 minutes until light and fluffy.
  • Add more powdered sugar to thicken and stiffen up frosting or more cream/milk to thin frosting out depending on use. If you are frosting cookies or a cake use less powdered sugar.

Nutrition

Calories: 113kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 58mg | Potassium: 12mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 188IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 0.1mg
Tried this recipe?Tag @nikki_chefintraining in your picture on Instagram so we can see what you have been up to in your kitchen!

Enjoy!

This Chocolate Buttercream is perfection! It is light and fluffy and has the perfect chocolate touch! It is my go-to chocolate frosting recipe!

If you make this recipe, snap a photo and hashtag it #chefintraining and/or #chefintrainingblog. I would love to see how these recipes take shape in your kitchens.

Filed under: dessert, frosting

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Comments

  1. Medeja

    Such frosting I could eat alone :D

  2. Connie

    I hear you totally. I was sadden to hear of Joan's passing. Even though I knew her only thru her blog, she felt like family. I read a couple of blogs, and I really feel like they are part of my family. They teach me, enlighten me, and share wonderful stories with me. Thank you for sharing the chocolate butter cream recipe. I could eat the whole bowl by itself. Hope you have a wonderful day.

  3. Deborah

    Can this be frozen?

    1. janie

      5

      Yes it can! Just thaw in the fridge and it's ready to use. I always double the recipe and freeze half to have on hand.

  4. Diane

    Very sorry about your friends passing...42 is very young and such a loss....my heart goes out to you.

  5. Karen Collins

    I am so sorry to hear about your loss. This recently just happened in my circle of friends, and I continue to reel from the reality of death. From my perspective as a pastry chef, you and the food blogging community are doing Joan proud by celebrating her through the shared passion of chocolate. Thank you for blogging, and for sharing Joan's story. Wishing you a day filled with peace, happiness and lots of chocolate. xo

  6. Mary

    Joan really did touch countless lives, didn't she? This frosting looks perfect and I bet that she would have happily eaten it with a spoon. She was an amazing friend. I love seeing so many posts remembering her.

  7. Beverly

    So sorry for your loss prayers and thoughts for her family and looks like an absolutely lovely chocolate buttercream icing I'll be sure to try and think of your friend if they're in your heart and your thoughts there never really gone

  8. Laura @ Raise Your Garden

    I am so sorry to read about Joan! Love her blog and her wonderful recipes so thanks for dedicating this to her. Buttercream frosting would have been right up her alley and something I would have expected to read on her blog. Thanks for sharing this! So useful as it's my husbands Birthday today and I need to make a cake pronto!!!!

  9. Maria Pereira

    I'm going to try this! How long can I keep this before I use it? Thanks in advance.

  10. Fred balbuena

    5

    I would like to ask heavy cream? Any particular brand of heavy cream? Or can I use al purpose cream?
    Thanks

  11. Sybil

    I sm a cake decorator and I use this recipe for my cakes!!! It is the best icing ever!!!!!'

  12. Mary

    2

    This tastes like powdered sugar. Not a fan.

  13. Amy Carter

    Thanks for sharing this and condolences on the loss of your friend. Prayers for her family.

  14. Erica

    5

    This looks amazing. I want to make some cherry chocolate cookies for V-day and I think I might have to try this icing!!
    Thanks for the recipe! BTW your pictures are amazing, what kind of camera do you use?

    Thanks again!
    Erica @ thebigredpatchhouse.com

  15. Cody

    5

    This tastes just like my mom's frosting. Thank you!

  16. Bobbie

    Sounds good will try it. Thank u for sharing.

  17. Carolyn W.

    Will this recipe frost a 9" two-layer cake with a Tip 21 she'll border or should it be doubled?

  18. Liz

    Can't wait to try this I think it will be tomorrow lol Thanks .

  19. Rochelle

    5

    I made this buttercream frosting and it came out beautiful, and its so easy to make. Thanx for sharing ?

  20. Melanie

    I am so sorry to hear of a sudden death in such a young person, and of course, it's impact on those who knew and loved her. So very sad. Life can be short indeed

  21. Pam Tucker

    Thanks so much for this recipe! It's perfection!

  22. Georgia

    I love it!!!! I made it for a going away party, big hit!!! Best recipe ever!!!

  23. Leyva

    This was my first time trying homemade frosting and I loved it! I will not go back to canned ever. This was super easy and delicious. Thank you.

    1. Leyva

      ...and just in case anyone was wondering if lactose free milk would work, it does! Super tasty. :)

  24. Matilda Togiai

    I can already tell from the ingredients how good this will be. In search for a go-to chocolatr buttercream. I am definitely whipping this up for my next batch of chocolate cupcakes! Thanks! And my condolences on the passing of your friend.

  25. Ana

    5

    Fluffy, easily spreadable, and delicious frosting. Thank you for the recipe!

  26. Jen

    I do have to say I never leave comments but this frosting by far is the best buttercream frosting my husband and I of ever ever had it almost taste like the brown sugar frosting my grandmother used to make on her sheet cakes ! It is absolutely amazing !!!

  27. Tina

    My frosting did not stiffen enough to stay on the cake.

    1. Chef in Training

      If this happens, add more powdered sugar, about 1/4 cup at a time, until frosting reaches desired thickness. Hope that helps :)

  28. Chloe

    5

    I made this and it was awesome! I used Chocolate milk (whole, not 2%) instead of cream. Aaaahhhhmazing!

  29. Beth

    This frosting is absolutely delicious! We only used part of it on the cake and ate the rest right out of a container in the fridge. This will be my go-to chocolate buttercream recipe!

  30. Jessica

    5

    This is sickly sweet and barely tastes like chocolate. Super disappointing. Tried to rate it 1 star, but it only selects all five stars when I click on the stars.

  31. Jessica L

    5

    FYI my son who is 11 just made this,he forgot to add the vanilla and salt,it still came out good,sweet but good lol.This was a very simple recipe and it made a good a mount for a 2 layer cake.

  32. Linda Swayne

    5

    One of the best chocolate frosting mixes, I have come across.it was like velvet. My husband loved it on a yellow cake (his favorite).

  33. William Darnell

    5

    So I came across this recipe. It is awesome. So at 10 o'clock at night I made this .Thank you.

  34. blu

    How long does it last in the fridge?

  35. Melissa

    I only used 2 cups of powdered sugar and it was enough with great taste! I think 4-5 cups would be way to much but I suppose it depends on your preference and taste! I would reccomend trying 2 cups then adding more if wanted.

  36. Maria

    Is this recipe good for 24 cupcakes??

  37. Christina

    5

    This frosting is amazing!! Perfect for my batch of cupcakes and so easy to make! Plus almost always have all the ingredients on hand! Thanks so much!

  38. Leigh

    Made it, loved it, and the recipe is now the one I will forever use for chocolate buttercream frosting! I would have a picture for you, but they disappeared almost as soon as the cupcakes were done! Very easy, (which I require), and very yummy. Thank you so much for posting!

  39. Ashley

    Hi! Did you use salted or unsalted butter for this recipe? Thank you :)

  40. Subny

    Do you have to store this frosting in the fridge?

  41. Pam

    I also thought it barely had any chocolate flavor. I doubled the amount of cocoa. Mine was from Trader Joe's; perhaps using 100% unswetened cocoa like Hershey's or Nestle's would be better than using Dutch-processed. It was still good, but I'd prefer more chocolate flavor in my frosting.

  42. Stephanie garcia

    For the butter can it be any kind??
    Like saltedor unsalted butter??
    And does the brand matter???

    Thanks!
    -stephanie G.-

  43. Chandah

    Thank you for posting. You are making us knowledgeable and great bakers. God bless

  44. Leigh

    Need to be kept in fridge since has milk in it?

    1. Chef in Training

      yes :)

  45. Abaomi

    3

    Can this recipe cover and fill an 8 inch cake ? Or should it be doubled ?

  46. Keana

    Can you use buttercream instead of heavy cream or milk?

  47. Ronnie

    5

    This frosting is the best one I ever made not too sweet just right.?

  48. Elena

    Unsalted or salted butter?

  49. Faye

    5

    Delicious! Quick and easy. I didn't have the cream so I used 2% milk and it's still fabulous frosting. Thanks for the recipe.

  50. Anon Moose

    5

    Oh yah...our new "Go to" chocolate frosting. And oh boy, did I ever whip that butter until it was the consistency of Cool Whip!!!

  51. Laura

    I am trying this frosting because it looks delish and sounds so easy.

  52. Twila

    Was super easy to whip up & taste pretty good for simple ❤️

  53. Ka

    Hello. Want to make this frosting for my nieces bd. But it's a 3 layer cake. Should I make it. 1 1/2 ?

  54. Meagan Hill

    5

    This is AMAZING I used this on some cupcakes and topped it off with chocolate chips. So yummy!

  55. Ana

    5

    Wow! This frosting is so amazing. By far my favorite chocolate frosting I have EVER made. I used 3.5 ups if sugar instead of the recommended 4.5-5 and it worked out perfectly. This is my new go-to!

  56. Alina

    Do I use salted or unsalted butter?

  57. Emily

    5

    This is a SUPER easy frosting and quite delicious. I accidentally put twice as much cocoa powder in it, and it still turned out great. I'll be making it again.

  58. Shavindri Hapugoda

    Hi, Can you tell me how many cupcakes i'll be able to frost using this recipe? :)

  59. Pam

    5

    This is BEYOND delicious. Thank you so much. I needed a perfect chocolate buttercream to frost a "poop" cake. It had to be delicious seeing what it had to look like. I think I ate about 8 oz. of frosting. After each taste I was smacking my lips and saying, "Man this is GOOD". I hope you're not offended by what the frosting depicts that was not my intention in telling you just how good it tastes. I made a new board called the best of EVERYTHING and this is my first pin on that board. THANK YOU

  60. Tracy

    I made this the other day and used on a 3 layer, 9x11 sheet cake. I added a tbsp more cocoa powder and it was perfect for my taste. The frosting doesn't lose it's shape at all and was very sturdy for the weight of the cake...❤️

  61. Trudi

    5

    Loved the frosting, sorry for your loss. I lost someone dear to me last year so I know how you feel.

  62. KT from chewysprout.com

    5

    I came across this recipe and oh my goodness it is so easy and so delicious! My family and I have gotten into this bad habit of thinking we need brownies every Sunday. Last week for Father's Day, I decided to add something special - FROSTING!! Your recipe just made the brownies that much more delicious. The Sunday brownie tradition will not be going away any time soon. Thanks for the deliciousness!

  63. Mimia Turner

    This taste wonderful and it is fast and easy to make

  64. Cw

    Do you use salted butter, for this recipe?

  65. Ann Harris

    So sad to hear the news about Joan. My prayers and thoughts go out to her family and friends. I was on her email list. So sad and so sorry.

  66. Christine M Ellis

    5

    Love this, easy to make. Used this buttercream in between layers of my 9 layer raspberry cake. Alternating buttercream and raspberry fillings. Then frosted the whole cake as a under layer before pouring the ganouch . Held up wonderfully . So yummy...

  67. Hannah

    Wow! This really is the best frosting! So light and fluffy! Not to mention flavorful! Perfect for icing a cake!

  68. Jessica

    Amazing!!!!! Easy to make and I could eat it with a spoon! Thank you so much!!!!!

  69. Misty

    I want to try this, do you recommend salted or unsalted butter?

  70. anne

    Just tried your perfect chocolate buttercream very good thank you

  71. Katie

    This was PERFECT for the Chocolate Valentines Day cake I made! Thank you!

  72. MJ

    5

    Made it tonight to top a delicious home made chocolate cake. It was hit with all 5 adults and 3 kids! best I've ever made. It will be my go-to for sure. I did add 4 cups of icing sugar and 5 tbsp cocoa and little bit extra cream

  73. Jessica

    5

    Love it, I used milk and it was great. I'm kind of picky with frosting. I hate being able to taste the powder sugar but I couldn't with this.... it was great. I added a little extra coco but that's just to my kids taste... definitely would make again.

  74. Alicia

    5

    Tis perfect. Not too rich. Nice and creamy. I liked this recipe better than a buttercream cheesecake frosting I found. Will def make again.

  75. Linwood Donovan

    I hate to give a bad review but I didn’t think it was possible to not like frosting, but this is so unappealing to me- tastes mostly like powdered sugar and not chocolatey. Made it for my sons bday party and regret it as I used all my ingredients. I’m sorry but I don’t recommend.

  76. Kathy Spencer

    Made half batch for 13/9 nonstick pan. Frosting delicious!
    I did use salted butter, and a bit more cocoa than 1/2 called for, also added the smallest pinch of salt. Smooth, creamy and chocolatey! Def a keeper

  77. Kathy Spencer

    Great recipe! I halved the recipe for a 9x13 sheet cake. Used approx 1tbs more of the cocoa and used salted butter. Perfectly spreadable and so chocolaty! Will def make again.

  78. Penny

    5

    I totally agree this is the best buttercream ever. Easy and quick. Glad that it can be frozen. Next time I'll double it and freeze. Thank you for sharing.

  79. Carol

    5

    Just love this perfect icing. The perfect amount for a double layer cake, or even a triple layer.

  80. Jennifer DeVries

    Well the good news is my family LOVED it!! The bad news is, I can never buy the store bought icing again!

  81. Sonia Meyers

    Made this frosting but added more heavy whipping cream and came out delicious!

  82. Kim

    5

    I LOVE this frosting and was wondering how I can use this recipe as a white frosting instead of chocolate?

    1. Chef in Training

      Hi Kim, Here is my Perfect White Buttercream Frosting :)
      https://www.chef-in-training.com/perfect-buttercream-frosting/

  83. Wyatt's Truck Birthday Party - Kari Skelton

    […] the cake recipe (the only alteration we made was using decaf coffee instead of regular). We used this chocolate buttercream icing recipe. For the chocolate ‘dirt’ we sprinkled smashed Oreo cookies all over. We used a piece […]

  84. KP

    4

    Guys,

    I got half way through the recipe and realized I didn’t have any milk :( so I substituted with mocha iced coffee from a jug in the fridge and it’s delicious! (If you like coffee) it has just a hint of that chocolatey coffee flavor.

  85. Debra

    5

    This is the best chocolate frosting!! Easy to make & so delicious!! Thank you for the recipe.

  86. Jan

    Don’t let anybody tell you otherwise-this buttercream is perfect!!

  87. Jan

    Amazing! Middle of the road sweet. Used 41/2c powdered sugar, 4 Tbsp cocoa, 5 Tbsp milk. Made some damn good cupcakes!

  88. Nancy

    5

    Outstanding frosting !

  89. Diana

    5

    This chocolate buttercream is perfection! The best tasting chocolate buttercream I have ever made, or had.... including bakeries! I live in Florida, and it is hard to make anything with butter, it melts! But this buttercream stood the test of the heat, and the consistency stayed superb. It was hard not to just eat it out of the bowl!

  90. Nancy Mayfield

    5

    I made this but only used 4c. Powdered sugar, omitted the salt and used 1t. Vanilla. Amazing!! Not to sweet, just the right amount of chocolate flavor and nice and fluffy! This is a keeper for me!

  91. Dee

    5

    Best frosting ever!!!!