Fluffy, smooth and silky Chocolate Buttercream Frosting is a must-make topping for your baked treats. Use this frosting to pipe, spread, or fill cakes and cupcakes for a rich, chocolatey finish.
Similar to a whipped vanilla buttercream, this chocolate version is a favourite for good reason. It’s light, airy and intensely chocolatey—perfect for layering between cake layers or piping onto cupcakes.
What This Frosting Is Like
- Difficulty – Easy to make if you follow the steps and ingredient list. It takes about 15 minutes, with most of that time dedicated to whipping to achieve the right texture.
- Taste – Sweet and buttery with a pronounced cocoa flavour. The butter keeps it rich while the cocoa gives it depth.
- Serving – This batch is enough to frost a two-layer 8-inch cake or about 12 cupcakes. Adjust servings in the recipe card as needed.
Ingredients
- Butter – Use unsalted butter at room temperature. Butter gives the right richness and texture; margarine will not yield the same result.
- Powdered sugar – Also called confectioners’ or icing sugar. Its fine texture helps create a smooth, light frosting.
- Vanilla extract – Adds warmth and rounds out the chocolate flavour. Use pure vanilla extract if available.
- Heavy cream – Heavy cream makes the frosting silky and easy to spread. Whole milk can be used as a substitute if needed.
- Cocoa powder – Use unsweetened natural cocoa powder for chocolate flavour.
- Salt – A small pinch enhances all the flavours.
NOTE: The full recipe and exact measurements are included in the recipe card at the end of the post.
Instructions
- Mix butter and powdered sugar – In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the room-temperature butter and powdered sugar on high until pale and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Scrape down the bowl as needed.
- Add cocoa, vanilla and salt – Add cocoa powder, vanilla and a pinch of salt. Mix on medium until combined, about 1 minute.
- Add cream – Add the cream one tablespoon at a time on medium-low speed until incorporated, about a minute.
- Finish frosting – Increase speed to high and whip for about 5 minutes until the frosting is light, fluffy and glossy.
Recipe Tips
- Sift powdered sugar – Sifting removes lumps and helps create a lighter, smoother frosting.
- Use room-temperature butter – Properly softened butter whips more easily and creates a better texture.
- Whip as directed – Allow the full whipping time to reach the desired light and airy consistency.
- Make ahead – Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week; re-whip briefly before using.
Substitutions
This recipe has been refined over time, so substitutions are limited. The main swap you can make is using whole milk in place of heavy cream; this will produce a slightly less rich but still workable frosting.
If you want different frostings, try cream cheese frosting or a whipped vanilla buttercream for alternative flavours and textures.
Serving and Storage
- Serving – Ideal for cupcakes, layer cakes, cookies, and dessert bars. It complements vanilla, chocolate and spice cakes especially well.
- Storage – Refrigerate up to one week in an airtight container, or freeze for up to three weeks. Thaw and re-whip briefly before using to restore texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frosting is typically lighter, thicker and fluffier, used to fill and coat cakes. Icing is often thinner and can form a glaze or shell on baked goods.
Either an electric hand mixer or a stand mixer works well. Choose what you have available and beat until the frosting reaches the desired texture.
Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
15 mins
15 mins
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup butter unsalted, room temperature
- 2 cups confectioners sugar
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar on high until pale and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Scrape down the bowl as needed.
- Add cocoa powder, vanilla and salt and mix until combined, about 1 minute.
- Add cream one tablespoon at a time on medium-low speed until combined, about 1 minute.
- Turn the mixer to high and whip about 5 minutes until light, fluffy and shiny.
*A note on times: appliances vary; prep and total times are estimates.
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