It is so easy to pick up a tub of chocolate frosting at the store, but is it really the best? I know it isn’t and you know it isn’t, but this Chocolate Buttercream Frosting recipe IS!
Every home baker, or even cook, should have a vanilla buttercream and Chocolate Icing recipe in their repertoire. From there, the additions of flavors are endless.
What is Buttercream Frosting?
This recipe for chocolate buttercream is what is considered an American Buttercream. American buttercreams are a base of either all butter or butter and vegetable shortening. Our version is similar to many grocery store bakeries in that it uses equal parts butter and shortening. American buttercreams also use powdered sugar, also known as confectioners sugar.
Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Frosting Recipe
Here are a few reasons why we think this is the best chocolate frosting recipe you’ll ever try.
- Only 6 ingredients – Almost as easy as buying a tub at the store, you only need 6 simple ingredients. I will say that with recipes so simple, make sure to use high quality ingredients for best results. No subpar butter or store brand chocolate. Get the good stuff!
- Customizable – You can do anything you want to make this your signature frosting from changing up the salt content to adding in other ingredients like fresh fruits, candy, sprinkles and more.
- Real Chocolate – This recipe for homemade fluffy frosting uses real chocolate, not cocoa powder. While cocoa is great in so many recipes, I do prefer the richness of melted chocolate for buttercream.
Ingredients for Chocolate Buttercream
This ingredient list is quite short and simple. All easily found at your local grocery store if you don’t already have them on hand.
- Unsalted butter – Allow the butter to come to room temperature or microwave it at intervals to soften it. Avoid using melted butter — the frosting will not reach the right consistency. You can also use salted butter in a pinch.
- Shortening – Why use both butter and shortening? Shortening has a higher melting point, so your buttercream won’t melt as quickly on the cake or in your frosting bag.
- Vanilla extract – But wait, it’s a chocolate frosting. Vanilla helps to balance, and bring out, all of the flavors.
- Semi-sweet chocolate – To melt the chocolate, you can microwave at intervals, stirring in between each until the chocolate is smooth. If you prefer using the stovetop, you can use a double boiler method. I do suggest a higher quality chocolate since this flavor will be so prominent. Semi sweet ensures it won’t be too sweet.
- Powdered sugar – Also known as confectioners’ sugar, this ingredient is responsible for giving the frosting its silky smooth texture. Sifting the powdered sugar helps to prevent lumps.
- Milk – You can also use cream or water. This just helps to get the frosting to the right spreadable consistency.
How to Make Chocolate Frosting
Making homemade chocolate frosting recipes really couldn’t be easier.
- Beat butter and shortening. Place butter and shortening into a large mixing bowl or bowl of a stand mixer. Whip until blending thoroughly.
- Add remaining ingredients. Add vanilla, melted semi-sweet chocolate and powdered sugar, mix. If needed, slowly add additional heavy cream, milk or water until the frosting is a spreadable or pipe-able consistency.
Variations on Light and Fluffy Chocolate Frosting
There are plenty of ways you can make this homemade chocolate frosting recipe your own.
- Extracts – Choose almond for nuttiness, coffee for a bold flavor, or something like peppermint for a seasonal addition during the holidays.
- Mini chocolate chips – Gently stir in some miniature chocolate chips for added chocolate flavor and texture.
- Other chips – Try folding in peanut butter chips or butterscotch chips for another fun flavor.
- Coffee – Mix a bit of instant coffee powder with hot water and add it to the frosting as a secret ingredient that makes a richer flavor.
- Marshmallow fluff – Add a bit of this ingredient to get an even more fluffy chocolate frosting.
Ways to Use Chocolate Frosting
You can put this frosting on just about any sweet treat that you’d like to. Add this frosting to chocolate cakes (like my chocolate mayonnaise cake), on top of chocolate cupcakes, or even in between layers on a layer cake.
You don’t have to stick with cakes though. You can frost cookies or, my personal favorite, eat it with a spoon! No such thing as too much frosting!
Storage and Freezing
How to Store Chocolate Frosting
Store frosting in an airtight container or ziploc bag for up to five days. Storing it in a plastic bag is particularly helpful if you want to pipe it onto baked goods — just snip the tip off the corner of the bag and pipe straight from it instead of transferring it to a pastry bag.
Can I Freeze Chocolate Frosting?
Higher fat frostings freeze well thanks to their fat content. If you wind up with too much frosting, freeze it in a freezer-safe container or bag for the next time you need it. Thaw it in the refrigerator.
More Homemade Desserts
There’s nothing I love more than a homemade dessert. Here are a few of our favorites that we know you’ll love too.
EASY Fruit Pizza
Single Serve Sugar Cookie Dough
Pineapple Upside Down Cake Recipe
Easy Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter room temperature
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 1 teaspoon vanilla or other extract
- 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate melted
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons milk cream or water
Instructions
- Place butter and shortening into a large mixing bowl or bowl of a stand mixer. Whip until blending thoroughly.
- Add vanilla, melted semi-sweet chocolate and powdered sugar, mix. If needed, slowly add additional heavy cream, milk or water until the frosting is a spreadable or pipe-able consistency.
- If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was!
Nutrition
Hi…I did try this many times and happy to say it has not failed.. This is my favorite chocolate recipe…I’m now trying the the frosting… I hope I get the same result….Thanks for sharing…..Charmaine Emmanuel
And thank you for coming back to let us know! Happy New Year!
Are we taking bets on whether or not I can eat the whole bowl? haha! Love this recipe, thanks so much!
This is so good! I love the real semi-sweet chocolate! I’ve always made my chocolate frosting with cocoa, but this is better!