This is my go-to recipe for Chocolate Buttercream Frosting, the one that everyone always begs for the recipe! It’s sure to become your favorite too and it’s so easy to make! It’s perfectly creamy and chocolaty, truly the best I’ve had!
I realized the other day that I’ve never devoted a whole blog post to my favorite chocolate buttercream frosting. I’ve made some pretty delicious desserts that showcase it in its original form, like this Out-of-this-World Chocolate Mint Cake and this Best Ever Homemade Yellow Cake. But in all my almost six years of blogging, I’ve failed you in not providing you with the recipe for the most incredible creamy chocolate frosting. I feel like I owe you a huge apology!
My mom taught me how to make this frosting when I was probably only 9 or 10, when I started baking. And it was incredible back then. But over the years, I’ve altered and refined it and made it even better! The secret is in the five minutes of creaming! It really gives it that phenomenal texture and seems to pull everything together. So make sure not to skip that step!
Every time I make a cake and take it somewhere, everyone asks how I make my yummy frosting. And I always tell them it’s so simple that it’s almost laughable! You will seriously be amazed at how quick this is to whip up! And for that reason, because of its exquisite taste and ease, I never buy frosting out of the container…ick! Once you’ve had the real deal, you can never go back or you feel like a traitor, haha! And plus, you’re totally selling yourself short if you buy frosting. This stuff is absolute heaven, I tell you!
I will not judge you if you want to take a big spoon to this! I’ve been known to do that very thing. 🙂 My kids always fight over who gets to lick the beater. It’s a huge privilege.
I make this for cakes and cookies, bars and brownies. Because you can never get enough of something this good!
I’ve found that the longer you whip the frosting, the lighter in color it gets. But the color also depends on how much baking cocoa you add. Mine calls for 1/4 cup and I feel like it’s the perfect amount for a sweet, deep chocolate flavor.
The ingredients for this fantastic chocolate buttercream are very basic-you probably already have them in your cupboard-but they truly make magic together for the taste buds! I always soften my butter in the microwave because I don’t want hard lumps. And, after making this once or twice, you’ll figure out the perfect amount of milk to add to make it so creamy but not runny. I always add my milk one tablespoonful at a time and mix in between so I don’t accidentally pour in too much. This frosting typically takes about 3-4 Tbsp. of milk, but that can vary based on how soft your butter is, so just play it by ear.

My Favorite Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients
- 1/2 c. butter softened
- 4 c. powdered sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract use good vanilla
- 1/4 c. good baking cocoa
- 3-4 Tbsp. Milk this can vary, so add one Tbsp. at a time and mix in between so it doesn't get too runny
Instructions
- Add softened butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, baking cocoa and 2 Tbsp. milk to the bowl of an electric mixer and turn it on low to begin mixing. Once the ingredients start to come together, stop the mixer, scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula, then turn it back on to medium speed until the ingredients start to come together more and don't flip out of the bowl. Stop the mixer, scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula, then turn it to high speed for about half a minute. Stop the mixer and scoop some up with a spatula to judge how creamy it is. If the consistency is nice and creamy (it scoops easily and is smooth), scrape down the bowl again, then set a timer for five minutes, and set the mixer to mix on high speed until the timer goes off.
- If it needs to be a little more creamy (it probably will), add another Tablespoon of milk and turn on the mixer to see if that does the trick. Mix it on high for another half a minute to see if it's creamy enough. It may need one more Tablespoon, but be careful not to add too much.
- After it reaches the desired creaminess, scrape down the sides of the bowl one more time, then set the timer for five minutes and let the mixer mix on high until the timer goes off.
My frosting used to be delicious, but now it’s nothing short of divine since I added the critical step of the five minute creaming! So whip it and whip it good! 🙂
You’re in for a real treat with this one! I can’t wait to hear what you think of it!
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