Skip the store-bought frosting in favor of this easy recipe for the best Chocolate Buttercream Frosting that takes just 5 minutes to make.
I have a confession to make. Chocolate buttercream frosting has always been an item on my grocery list rather than a recipe in my baking repertoire.
Who has the time to make buttercream frosting when it takes all of 2 seconds to toss it into your shopping cart and call it a day? But after a reader emailed me asking for a fool-proof chocolate buttercream frosting recipe (to follow up on the vanilla variety), I knew it was time to wave goodbye to the store-bought stuff and finally go the DIY route.
Little did I know, 5 minutes into my recipe creation process I’d be licking a spatula slathered in the richest, creamiest, most chocolatey buttercream frosting to ever cross my lips. I repeat, 5 minutes.
No fancy preservatives. No seven-syllable ingredients. Simply butter, cocoa powder, sugar, milk, vanilla, and my secret ingredient, a pinch of salt. The salt helps balance out the sweetness and round out the flavors. Toss all of the ingredients into a stand mixer, and you too will be a confectionery convert.
A few tips for whipping up homemade chocolate buttercream frosting:
- Use good quality cocoa powder. The better the quality, the better the taste of your frosting.
- This recipe can be easily doubled for all my fellow chocoholics out there.
- Use the beater blade with your stand mixer (rather than the whisk). It’ll result in creamy frosting that lightens in color the longer it’s mixed.
- This stuff pipes like a breeze. So get your fancy pants on and check out my simple trick for piping two-tone swirled frosting.
One more trick of the food styling trade? Grab a small spoon and use the back of it to make luscious, deep swirls and create the perfect peaks and valleys for a shower of sprinkles in every color.
Ready to see this buttercream in action? Tune in to the video below then get ready to buttercream all of your favorite baked goods!
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Ingredients
- 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 2 1/3 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/3 cup whole milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until it is smooth, about 1 minute.
- Add the confectioners’ sugar and cocoa powder to the bowl and beat until combined. With the stand mixer running on low speed, slowly stream in the milk and vanilla extract then add the salt and continue beating until well combined, scraping down the sides as needed, about 2 minutes.
- Increase the speed to high and beat the frosting for an additional 2 minutes. Use the frosting immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge. (If you refrigerate the frosting, you may want to re-blend it for a few seconds in the stand mixer before using it.)
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Recipe by Kelly Senyei of Just a Taste. Please do not reprint this recipe without my permission. If you'd like to feature this recipe on your site, please rewrite the method of preparation and link to this post as the original source.
Fabulous. Took me so little time and came out wonderfully! Love it.
I’m thrilled you enjoyed the recipe, Liz!
Such a creamy and yummy frosting!!
I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe, Sarah!
What if I don’t have a stand mixer but I have a hand mixer will it still be the same?
Hi Liz! A hand mixer works but it may not be as smooth. :)
Make this frosting quite often. It is very simple and tasty. Nothing like homemade frosting. Soooo good. The trick is to be sure you beat it at high speed to get the desired fluff.
I’m thrilled you’ve been enjoying the recipe, Stephanie!
Kelly,
Thank you for the great frosting recipe…can I use heavy whipping cream instead of whole milk?
Absolutely, Elisa! But you might need to adjust the quantity since it’s a bit thicker. :)
What if I don’t have a mixer. All I have is a whisk?
Hi Dawn! You can use a whisk but it may not be as smooth!
Delicious and simple to make. I will never buy store-made frosting again.
Woohoo! I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe, Linda!
My husband asked me what do ya want me to make you for your birthday. I said Chocolate cake and I have the perfect frosting. And it is yours.
Love this, Karie! Happy birthday!
Creamy and delicious! This is a keeper!
Yay! I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe, Jewel!
Best chocolate buttercream I have ever made in my 70+ years! It is perfect with the crazy cake, and I did add 1/2 teaspoon of instant coffee to the dry ingredients of the cake.
WOWZA! I’m SO thrilled you enjoyed the recipe, Cynthia!
Thank you for an excellent, fast recipe that uses standard pantry staples. I just got my frosting groove back.
P.s.the spoon swirls were a fabulous idea.
You are so welcome, Patty! I’m thrilled you enjoyed the recipe and tips for decorating! :)
Is this a good one for piping?
Absolutely, Calli! It pipes really well :)
This icing was very easy to make and it was delish!
I’m thrilled you enjoyed the recipe, Trudy!
We enjoyed this frosting. I did not add salt as suggested in the recipe because I used salted butter. A double batch covered a tiered cake. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
You are so welcome, Amanda! I’m thrilled you enjoyed the recipe!
Excellent!! I doubled it and it was perfect.
I’m thrilled you enjoyed the recipe, Connie!
Can i use 2% milk instead of whole?
Absolutely, Beth! It just might be slightly less creamy.