🍫 Easy Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
Rich, silky, and chocolatey perfection! This classic American buttercream is the dreamiest frosting for cakes, cupcakes, and more.
🧁 Why You'll Love It
🔹 Foolproof — Simple ingredients, easy steps
🔹 Chocolate Heaven — Deep, rich flavor
🔹 Perfect Texture — Pipeable, spreadable, lick-the-bowl good
👩🍳 Frosting Style: American Buttercream
You know I’m usually Team SMBC (Swiss Meringue Buttercream 💛), but this one? It slaps.
While SMBC is ultra-smooth and less sweet, this chocolate version of American Buttercream is:
✔️ Easier to make
✔️ Bold in flavor
✔️ Creamy, dreamy, and ready in minutes
🧂 Ingredients at a Glance
| ✨ Ingredient | 🥄 Amount |
|---|---|
| 🧈 Unsalted Butter | 1 cup (room temp) |
| 🍫 Cocoa Powder | ¾ cup (sifted) |
| 🍚 Powdered Sugar | 3 cups (sifted) |
| 🍦 Vanilla Extract | 2 tsp |
| 🥛 Cream or Milk | 3–4 Tbsp (room temp) |
🔁 Want it richer? Use whipping cream!
🥣 How to Make Chocolate Buttercream
-
🎛️ Cream the Butter
Beat 1 cup of room-temp butter until light & fluffy
→ Smooth base = smooth frosting! -
🍫 Add Cocoa
On low speed, add sifted cocoa powder
Beat until rich and velvety -
🍚 Sweeten It
Slowly mix in powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time
Beat well between each addition
→ Avoid a sugar storm in your kitchen! -
🍦 Flavor + Creamify
Add vanilla + 2 Tbsp of cream or milk
Whip until soft and smooth
Add more cream if needed for the perfect consistency -
🌀 Whip to Finish
Beat until silky and glossy
→ Pipe or spread immediately!
🛠️ Pro Tips for Success
🔸 Room Temp Butter = smoothest results
🔸 Sift Everything – Cocoa + powdered sugar = no lumps
🔸 Good Cocoa = Good Flavor – Try Dutch-process for deep richness
🔸 Too Thick? Add milk 1 tsp at a time
🔸 Hand Mixer? Totally works! Just mix a bit longer.
👀 Texture Test
| ❌ Gritty | ✅ Smooth |
|---|---|
| 🧈 Too cold butter | 🧈 Creamed properly |
| ⏱️ Rushed mixing | ⏱️ Whipped 3–5 min |
| 🥄 Dry from little cream | 🥛 Adjusted for softness |
🧁 Pair This Frosting With:
-
🎉 Cupcakes, macarons, sandwich cookies — go wild!
❓ FAQ
💡 Can I Make It Ahead?
✅ Yes!
Fridge: Up to 1 week
Freezer: Up to 3 months
→ Bring to room temp & re-whip before using
🫙 Wrap tightly to avoid drying out!
🔢 How Much Does It Make?
🧁 About 3 cups of frosting
➡️ Frosts:
-
12–16 cupcakes
-
1 x 2-layer 8" cake (double for more)
🧾 Full Recipe Card
🍫 Easy Chocolate Buttercream
Serves: 3 cups | Prep Time: 20 min
Ingredients
-
1 cup unsalted butter (room temp)
-
¾ cup cocoa powder (sifted)
-
3 cups powdered sugar (sifted)
-
2 tsp vanilla extract
-
3–4 Tbsp cream or milk (room temp)
Instructions
-
Beat butter until light and fluffy
-
Add cocoa, beat until smooth
-
Slowly add sugar in batches, beating between
-
Mix in vanilla and cream; whip until silky
-
Adjust consistency with more cream if needed
Nutrition (per batch)
🧈 1118 cal | 🍬 118g sugar | 🍫 70g fat | 🌟 3g iron
🧁 Save or Print
📌 Pin it | 🖨️ Print it | ⭐ Rate it!
✨ Whether you're frosting cupcakes or layering your next showstopper cake, this chocolate buttercream is a winner every time! Let me know if you try it — and don’t forget to tag your creations! 💬📷