Fluffy and smooth with a lovely chocolatey flavour, this is how to make Chocolate Buttercream Frosting! Follow along with the quick recipe video (below recipe). Use this buttercream to frost cakes and cupcakes – it can be piped, spread and used to sandwich cake layers!
Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
Fluffy and chocolatey, buttercream frosting is a classic favourite for smothering over cakes and cupcakes. This Chocolate Buttercream Frosting is:
✅ Perfect for piping – it holds its shape with swirls, roses etc
✅ Can be used for sandwiching between cake layers – it won’t ooze out everywhere like cream when you cut into the cake
✅ Fluffy, creamy, luscious and buttery. Totally indulgent and will rival any high end bakery!
How to make Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
Buttercream frosting is not hard to make but it does take time – and an electric mixer or stand mixer. The key is beating, beating, beating – for at least 6 minutes, usually 7 to 8 minutes.
The longer you beat, the fluffier it is and the smoother it is.
Beat, beat, beat!
Other than beating, the only other tip I have for a beautiful classic buttercream frosting is to use the right butter to icing sugar (powdered sugar) ratio. Too much sugar to butter = gritty frosting. Too little, and it just tastes like butter.
Go forth and enjoy! – Nagi x
Use this Chocolate Buttercream Frosting for:
-
Chocolate Cupcakes – no stand mixer required for these incredible cupcakes!
-
Chocolate Cake – the BEST everyday chocolate cake, ever!
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Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients
- 200g / 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 1/2 cups soft icing sugar / powdered sugar , sifted (Note 1)
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder , unsweetened, preferably Dutch Processed, sifted(Note 3)
- 1/4 cup milk (any)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- Place butter in the bowl of a stand mixer with paddle attached. Beat for 3 minutes on speed 7 until it becomes pale.
- Add half the icing sugar and cocoa powder. Beat for 3 minutes - start slow, increase to speed 7.
- Add remaining icing sugar and cocoa powder. Beat again for 3 minutes.
- Add milk and vanilla if using. Beat again for 1 minute on speed 7.
- Spread onto cakes / cupcakes, or spoon into frosting bag and pipe.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
Chocolate Buttercream Frosting recipe video!
LIFE OF DOZER
BY POPULAR DEMAND…. Dozer photo added!! I didn’t have one in this recipe because it was an extra recipe for the Chocolate Cupcakes. Gasp shock horror! Better fix it! 🙂
Jo Griffin says
So happy I I found your delicious site. I’ve made a few things already, including this sooo very simple Chocolate buttercream frosting. It really does look fancy and tastes amazing. I recently used this icing on my brownies. Big hit. Thank you. 🙂
Nagi says
I’m so happy you love it Jo!
Louisa O says
I absolutely adored this stupenduous cake! Keep up the fantastico work!!!
Nagi says
Thanks Louisa!!
Yen says
Hi Nagi, really like your recipes! Can i ask, if i dun have a stand mixer, can i use a hand mixer? Beat time should be different?
Nagi says
Yes just use a hand mixer!
Virginia says
Hi Nagi, I love this recipe, but have you any idea how I can adjust it so that the icing will survive the heat of an outdoor party in Singapore please? When I’ve made it previously, it’s been great when the air-con’s been on, but when it’s off……. 😬 Thank you!
Paulette says
Hi Nagi, what would happen if I used pure icing sugar? It’s all I have and need the cake tomorrow 😬
Nagi says
Hi Paulette, will be fine, I hope you enjoy!
Kim says
Hi Nagi, made your “best easy chocolate cupcakes” on the weekend for a Cancer Council biggest morning tea event and topped them off with this chocolate buttercream, Yummo! The cupcakes were so quick, easy and hit that chocolate craving without being too sweet, will be my “go to” recipe for cupcakes from now on. Your site provides heaps of ideas and inspiration with simple instructions (have told many about it). I always check your site first when looking for something new. Have made heaps of your recipes, too many to mention, always know they’ll “work” too. How would I adjust this recipe to make a peanut butter frosting that is pipeable? Don’t really want to look elsewhere and be disappointed…. Thanks
Nagi says
Hi Kim, thanks so much for the great feedback! I haven’t done a peanut butter frosting yet – I’ll have to add it to my to do list!
Lyndall says
Hi Nagi, is this icing strong enough to be used on a cake that will be covered in m&ms or will the m&ms slide off?
Nagi says
Hi Lyndall – the top will be fine. For the sides, just make sure your butter is “just” softened enough to beat. The best way to do this is to cut into dice and let it soften just enough so the beater can cream it. Then proceed to make. If you just soften a big block of butter, what happens is that the outside has to be super soft in order for the centre to be soft, which makes the buttercream VERY soft. Which is fine for piping or spreading like pictured, but probably too soft for M&M’s to stick to the side of a cake 🙂 WORST CASE: if frosting is too soft, refrigerate for 5 min then stick on M&M’s 🙂 N x
Isabel says
I love this recipe! Just wonderful. I used it on a cake and it’s delicious!
Nagi says
Fantastic Isabel!
Coleen says
WOW. I just made this for my daughter’s birthday cake (along with the chocolate cake from your blog!) and it is THE BEST chocolate buttercream i’ve ever tasted!!
Nagi says
Awesome! I’m so glad you loved it!
Binarti says
Hi Nagi, which icing sugar did you use? The icing sugar mixture or pure? Thanks 🙂
Nagi says
Soft icing sugar – the mixture. Not pure – that’s for royal icing, the stuff that goes hard that’s used for writing. Good question Binarti, will update recipe! N x
Binarti says
Awesome, thanks! Can’t wait to give this a try for my daughter’s birthday cake this weekend.
Simone Mulder says
Great tasting frosting! Always only used a cream cheese based frosting, but this one is just as good. Thanks for sharing.
Nagi says
Glad to hear you enjoyed this Simone! Thanks for letting me know – N x
Mims says
Hello! Will it be ok to make the frosting the night before I plan to use it?
Amanda says
Hi Mims, I saw your question and noticed it hadn’t been answered. So I thought I’d answer it for you. You certainly CAN make this frosting the night before you need it. After making it just transfer the frosting to a container with an air tight lid. For example, a microwave – safe food container is perfect for this. Just make sure you close the steam button on the lid.. Then put it in the fridge overnight and, the next day take it out and let it return to room temperature, give it a good stir and it’s ready to use!
Carole says
This is the best buttercream frosting recipe I’ve ever made. The recipe instructions were well written. I’ve never used a recipe that told me precisely how long to beat the frosting in each step and I think that really makes this so beautifully fluffy. The butter to sugar ratio was perfect! Thank you! Looking forward to trying more of your recioes!
Kellie Bright says
Could I omit the cocoa and make a vanilla one instead? Need to use food dye for a kids cake
Nagi says
Glad to hear you enjoyed this Carole!! Thanks for letting me know 🙂 N x ❤️
Danielle says
Hi Nagi,
I want to make this delicious icing, along with your chocolate cake, for my daughter’s birthday. However, I’d love to make the icing yellow….she’s Emma wiggle obsessed. 😂 Would I just leave out the cocoa and add yellow food colouring?
Thanks,
D x
Nagi says
Hi Danielle! Yep that’s exactly what I’d do. And if you use good value butter (read: no frills) it is quite often VERY yellow! Then you can adjust colour with colouring 🙂
Lois says
For frosting if I use cocoa powder other than Dutch processed like Bakers cocoa powder, Will it affect the taste?
Barbara Harilaou says
Hi Nagi you did it again another great recipe. Of course I’m going to make it . my son loves chocolate. I’m on a diet these days so ….well may me I’ll have just one I mean who can resist chocolate? LOVE LOVE the picture of Dozer he’s so cute. Have a wonderful day.
Nagi says
Can you resist??/ Do you REALLY think you can?? 😉 N xx
AFL Sports News says
I will try this CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING ..looking delicious..
Nagi says
HOPE YOU DO!!!!
Kevin | Keviniscooking says
I’d seriously eat this alone with a spoon and be very happy.
Nagi says
ME TOO!
Gretchen Kennedy says
Recipes for your ( I Don’t Care) Cupcakes and Buttercream Icing are same one’s my family have used for years. We love them and so do those who eat them! Thank you for offering them to us. Shows we do not have to have fancy stuff to cook! thanks again!
Gretchen Kennedy says
Nagi, Your recipe for the cupcakes and the Buttercream Icing is same as one my Father used in his bakery. Mother and i made it all of the time. I should say it is timeless, Huh? I made it for my Daughters Wedding Cake and even though we thought there would be cake leftover, there wasn’t a drop! The cupcake recipe is like recipe I use one in while only we call it a “Dump Cake”. Wonderful all! Thank you
Nagi says
NO WAY!!!! I thought my cupcakes recipe was quite unique, I fumbled it together over many years of experimenting. I’m SO thrilled to know it’s the same!! N xx