This is the best chocolate buttercream frosting recipe you are going to find! Creamy, smooth, and pipable for decorating cakes and cupcakes! This chocolate buttercream frosting recipe is just like what you get in a bakery but so easy to make at home! It is the perfect chocolate buttercream frosting recipe and the only one you will ever need!
Chocolate Buttercream Frosting Recipe
If you are looking for an amazing Chocolate Buttercream Frosting then you do not want to miss this amazing recipe. This is the only chocolate buttercream frosting recipe I will use, and I have been using it long before blogging was a thing.
Most chocolate buttercream recipes are either lacking in rich chocolate flavor or they are lacking a great buttercream texture that you can pipe out well. This chocolate buttercream frosting recipe does not disappoint ever!
This chocolate buttercream frosting recipe has a rich chocolate flavor that is perfect for piping on cupcakes, frosting a cake, or using it as a cake filling.
Easy Buttercream Frosting Recipes
- vanilla buttercream
- marshmallow buttercream
- Caramel Buttercream
- Lemon Buttercream
- Mint Buttercream
- Chocolate Raspberry buttercream
- Peanut butter buttercream
- Blackberry Buttercream Frosting
- Strawberry Buttercream Frosting
- Cookie dough frosting
- Sugar Free Strawberry Buttercream
- Mint Chocolate Chip Buttercream
- Almond Buttercream
Why is this the The BEST Chocolate Buttercream Recipe?
I knew that Bakery Style Chocolate Buttercream Frosting would have to be on that top of my list of buttercream frosting recipes to share with you. It is such a staple frosting recipe to have on hand, but so many of the times it is not done right, so I want to make sure you guys have the best of the best.
I know most chocolate buttercream recipes are either lacking in rich chocolate flavor or they are lacking that great buttercream texture that you can pipe out well. This chocolate buttercream frosting recipe does not disappoint ever! You won’t find any of those issues with this chocolate buttercream icing. This is my favorite Cocoa powder to use when making this recipe.
I have been using this chocolate buttercream recipe for years when I am baking. I posted this chocolate frosting recipe on the blog years ago and have updated it to help you make the best chocolate buttercream frosting recipe and to answer some of the questions I have had asked over the years.
Tips for Making Homemade Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
Make sure your butter is room temperature. Do NOT put it in the microwave to soften, put it on the kitchen counter and soften.
Use the paddle handle on your mixer when you are mixing your frosting.
Be sure you are putting the confectioner’s sugar in slowly, otherwise you will end up with a big mess of the confectioner’s sugar spewing out of your mixer.
Use homemade Vanilla Extract. I always keep homemade vanilla extract on hand, but if you don’t have it you can totally use store bought vanilla extract.
If you live in a humid environment and don’t use your powdered sugar much, it may get clumpy and you’ll want to sift it.
What can I do if my frosting is runny?
If you find your frosting to be running and is not fluffing up then add more confectioners sugar. At times the humidity where you live and in your home can mean that you need more powdered sugar. Add it little by a little while mixing until you get the texture you are wanting.
Can I use this Chocolate buttercream for Cakes and Cupcakes?
If you are looking for a frosting that you can use to frost a cake this will make enough frosting for 2 8 inch round cake. It seriously is the Best chocolate buttercream frosting recipe for frosting cakes!
Making cupcakes? This recipe will make enough frosting for 24 cupcakes. This chocolate frosting goes perfect on cupcakes, I especially love it on chocolate cupcakes and vanilla cupcakes.
How to Decorate with Chocolate Buttercream
This is my favorite cake decorating set to use when I am decorating cakes and it works well with this easy chocolate buttercream frosting. It comes with icing bags and lots of different icing bag tips so you can pick which style you want your frosting to be when you are decorating your cakes.
If you are new to decorating cupcakes be sure to check out these tips for decorating cupcakes.
- How to get a perfect cupcake swirl
- Easy Way to Fill a pastry bag
- How to Swirl multiple Flavors of Frosting
What Cupcakes go with Chocolate buttercream?
There are lots of cupcake flavors that go perfectly with chocolate buttercream! There are so many great flavors and I love making homemade cupcakes to go with homemade buttercream. Check out my favorite cupcake flavors that go with chocolate icing. You can also use this recipe with your favorite chocolate cake recipe to give a BUSRT of amazing chocolate flavor.
There are also so many great flavor combinations too! Check out a few of my favorite cupcake combinations that use chocolate icing!
- Chocolate Covered Cherry Cupcakes
- Andes Mint Cupcakes
- Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes
- Raspberry Chocolate Cupcakes
Do I have to have a stand mixer?
I prefer using a stand mixer and I love my KitchenAid mixer. However if you don’t have a stand mixer and only have a hand mixer you can make this chocolate icing recipe still.
How to thin out Chocolate buttercream frosting
If you are making this chocolate buttercream frosting and want to use it for decorating a cake you can add an additional tablespoon of heavy cream to the frosting. If you are piping this chocolate buttercream then you do not want to thin out the frosting at all.
How long can buttercream frosting sit out?
I store my buttercream in the fridge and then rewhip it when I want to use it. If you have already frosted a cake or cupcakes this buttercream frosting can sit out for up to 3 days.
How many days in advanced can I make Buttercream frosting?
You can make this buttercream frosting 3 days in advanced of when you want to use it and store it at room temperature. You can make this buttercream frosting up to 2 weeks ahead of time if you are going to store it in the fridge.
How to Store Buttercream frosting
The buttercream can be stored at room temperature for up to three days or in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Can you Freeze Chocolate Buttercream?
You can freeze chocolate buttercream frosting for up to 3 months.
How do you soften refrigerated buttercream frosting?
When you bring it out of the refrigerator let it sit at room temperature for two hours. Then re-whip it for ten minutes to bring it back to life.
Can I use salted butter to make Chocolate Frosting?
If you are using salted butter omit the salt when making it. If you are using unsalted butter then keep the salt.
What Supplies do I need to make this recipe?
- Stand Mixer.
- Silicone Spatula
- Piping Bags (for frosting cupcakes)
- Angled spatula if decorating a cake
Chocolate Buttercream Frosting Ingredients
- Butter
- Powdered Sugar
- cocoa powder
- heavy whipping cream
- vanilla extract
- Salt
How to Make Chocolate Buttercream
Place your butter in the bowl of your mixer. Turn the mixer on to medium speed and mix until the butter is nice and creamy. If you are using a hand mixer, place the bowl on the counter and use a hand mixer to cream the butter.
Once the butter is creamy, turn the mixer speed down to the lowest setting and slowly incorporate the powdered sugar and cocoa powder into the butter. First, add the cocoa powder, and then add the powdered sugar. I find it best to add each a little bit at a time and let it keep mixing until all the powdered sugar and cocoa powder is incorporated into the butter.
Once you have added all the powdered sugar into your mixture, add in the vanilla extract, heavy cream, and salt.
Turn the mixer up to medium-high speed and continue mixing for 10 minutes until light and fluffy.
Homemade Cupcake Recipes
- Chocolate Covered Cherry Cupcakes
- Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes
- Peanut Butter And Jelly Cupcakes
- Pink Lemonade Cupcakes
- Dirt Cupcakes
- Peanut Butter And Jelly Cupcakes
- Pink Lemonade Cupcakes
Frosting Supplies
Homemade frosting is so easy! You only need a few ingredients, a hand or stand mixer, and then piping bags & tips to make fun designs!
Bakery Style Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups butter at room temperature
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 3/4 cup cocoa powder
- 4 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- pinch salt
Instructions
- In the bowl of your mixer beat the butter on medium speed until nice and creamy.
- Turn the mixer down to the lowest setting and slowly incorporate the powdered sugar and cocoa powder into the butter.
- Once you have added all the sugar to the mix add the heavy cream, vanilla and salt. Turn the mixer up to medium-high speed and continue mixing for 10 minutes until light and fluffy.
Video
7 Weight Watchers SmartPoints per serving on the Freestyle Program.
Comments & Reviews
Jessica says
How much shortening do u use it says to mix butter and shortening together but it doesn’t say anything about shortening in the ingredients
Dawn says
Wondering the same thing
Marla says
My question also.
Stephanie says
Sorry guys there is not shorting that was my error.
Vicky Williams says
How many cupcakes would this cover?
Stephanie says
48
Heide M. says
The best part of the cake is the frosting!
My mouth is watering already.
Thanks for posting.
Beth says
How much frosting does tjis recipe make? Thanks!
Tracy Record says
Is this good for a 3 layer cake?
Liz says
I added about 1/4 tsp. almond extract…really good with chocolate.
Marie says
Once the cake is frosted how do you store it?
Stephanie says
I normal store it in the fridge
Cindy says
Light and fluffy!! I tried it with salted butter and no extra salt. It was a little bit salty for me but still good. Next time plain butter! Also better freshly made. It took over 2 hours to get soft on a 9×13 pan cake. I used dark cocoa powder it was delicious!
Stephanie says
Im glad you liked it.
Felice Lynley says
Thank you! Super helpful! I am getting ready to put it together now. I wonder if anyone has tried substituting coconut milk?
Norma says
What does everyone do with the rest of your Heavy Whipping Cream? Can you freeze it?
Stephanie says
You can freeze them in an ice cube tray for some iced coffees.
Zita Saayman says
hi am Zita if I don’t get heavy whipped cream can I use normal whipped cream ?
Stephanie says
no you need it to be a liquid, whipped cream has been fluffed and sugar added.
J says
Do I have to have a stand mixer or would this be doable in my cheap hand held electric mixer?
Stephanie says
Its doable with a hand mixer
Bonnie says
I just made your frosting…is delicious!! However I halved the recipe and needed to add more heavy cream because was too thick… but came out great!
Coartney says
Just made this today for a wedding cake and it’s AMAZING! Wonderful tasting! I did find that I had to add more heavy whipping cream because it was too thick. I think I added an extra tablespoon or so and it was easier to spread on the cake. I also used the butter flavored shortening instead of butter because that’s what I had on hand. I happened to have dark chocolate cocoa powder on hand too, so I tried this and I highly recommended it! I just want to sit down with the bowl and eat it! Great recipe I’ll be using a lot more!
Stephanie says
im so glad you enjoyed it!
Lisa Yeatman says
Oh my gosh girl! Love this frosting! ❤️ Hubby says it’s now his favorite. 👍
Sierra says
Hi, was wondering if I could possibly use cow’s milk instead of the heavy whipping cream?
Stephanie says
yes you may
Cory says
I’ve never commented on a recipe before but I wanted to for others who may read and it could help them. I’ve always made homemade cakes and frostings, but I’m not a pro baker by any means, however i found this frosting to very difficult to work with. I made it to frost a cake. I believe it is too airy to be able to spread nicely. I think it probably works great for piping but that’s not specified in the recipe. It ended up being very frustrating and disappointing. Tastes great, not great for spreading. If you want to be able to spread dont whip for 10 minutes at the end.
Tab says
So delicious! The perfect frosting for my husband’s birthday cake 🎂 We all loved it!
Cyndi sutton says
Amazing chocolate flavor. This is definitely my go to frosting from now on
DianaH says
This is a great tasting, easy recipe. I will definitely use again.