Joy + OliverThe Best Chocolate Buttercream Frosting - Joy + Oliver https://joyoliver.com/the-best-chocolate-buttercream-frosting/ Dessert & Entertaining Blog Wed, 22 Apr 2026 16:09:24 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 The Best Chocolate Buttercream Frosting https://joyoliver.com/the-best-chocolate-buttercream-frosting/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-best-chocolate-buttercream-frosting https://joyoliver.com/the-best-chocolate-buttercream-frosting/#comments Fri, 31 Jul 2020 19:11:48 +0000 https://joyoliver.com/?p=8052

It is so important to have The Best Chocolate Buttercream Frosting in your recipe box. This one is perfectly made with butter, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. With only one bowl, you can create a smooth and creamy chocolate frosting for all your cakes and cupcakes!  

A bowl of chocolate buttercream frosting with a spoon in it

This is The Best Chocolate Buttercream Frosting and super simple to make. With only a few ingredients, it is sure to become your go-to frosting for all cakes and cupcakes. Chocolate Buttercream Frosting is the perfect addition to so many desserts, especially The Best Chocolate Buttermilk Layer Cake. Chocolate lovers will find their new favorite in this frosting. With this recipe in hand, you can now make the best cakes, cookies, cupcakes, brownies, and more!

Ingredients

A white spoon covered in chocolate buttercream frosting
  • Butter- Unsalted and at room temperature
  • Cocoa powder- Unsweetened cocoa powder, the higher quality the better!
  • Sugar- Powdered sugar will sweeten and thicken the frosting
  • Milk- Whole milk will give the perfect creamy texture
  • Vanilla- For an extra touch of flavor

Directions

A piping bag filled with chocolate buttercream frosting, surrounded by chocolate chips and rainbow sprinkles
  • In a mixing bowl with paddle attachment, cream together the butter and cocoa powder until smooth and creamy
  • Add the powdered sugar into the butter mixture one cup at a time
  • Scrape the sides of the bowl in between each addition making sure the everything is fully combined
  • Once all the powdered sugar is incorporated, slowly add the milk and vanilla extract into the mixture and mix on medium speed until the mixture becomes creamy.
  • Mix on high speed for two minutes until the buttercream is creamy, fluffy and smooth!
  • Use the frosting in whichever dessert you like!
A slice of chocolate layer cake frosted with chocolate buttercream frosting

Tips and FAQs for The Best Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

  • Store the frosting in an airtight container until you're ready to use it.
  • The possibilities for this frosting are endless! It's amazing on brownies, chocolate or vanilla cake, cupcakes, and more.
How long will The Best Chocolate Buttercream Frosting keep?

If you are going to use the frosting in the next two days, it can stay at room temperature. If you need to save it or wait longer than two days to use it, place the airtight container into the refrigerator and store there for a maximum of two weeks. After the buttercream frosting is refrigerated the Chocolate Buttercream Frosting will need to stay at room temperature for one hour until easy to spread!

What's the difference between Chocolate Fudge Frosting and Chocolate Buttercream Frosting?

Chocolate Fudge Frosting is decadent, super creamy, and has a thick spreadable consistency but it does take time to make. It is made in a saucepan and requires time to cool and thicken before you can use it. Chocolate Buttercream Frosting is much more simple and super quick! It's ready to use immediately. I love the versatility of this Chocolate Buttercream Frosting and I know you will, too!  

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The Best Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

It is so important to have The Best Chocolate Buttercream Frosting in your recipe box. This one is perfectly made with butter, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. With only one bowl, you can create a smooth and creamy chocolate frosting for all your cakes and cupcakes!  
Course Cakes, Chocolate
Cuisine Dessert
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 12 servings
Calories 222kcal
Author Kristen Massad

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ Cup Unsalted Butter Room Temperature
  • 1 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
  • 5 Cups Powdered Sugar
  • ½ Cup Whole Milk
  • 2 tsp Vanilla Extract

Instructions

  • In a mixing bowl with paddle attachment, cream together the butter and cocoa powder until smooth and creamy
  • Slowly add the powdered sugar into the butter mixture one cup at a time
  • Scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula in between each addition making sure the everything is fully combined
  • Once all the powdered sugar is incorporated, slowly add the milk and vanilla extract into the mixture and turn on the mixture on medium until the mixture becomes creamy and then turn the mixture on high for two minute until the buttercream is creamy, fluffy and smooth!
  • Store in an airtight container until ready to use
  • If you are using this the next day, refrigerate the Chocolate Buttercream overnight and then remove the buttercream an hour before you are ready to use to bring back to room temperature.

Notes

  • Store the frosting in an airtight container until you're ready to use it.
  • The possibilities for this frosting are endless! It's amazing on brownies, chocolate or vanilla cake, cupcakes, and more.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 222kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 5mg | Potassium: 117mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 709IU | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 1mg

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