Rich and Fluffy Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
This recipe gives you a rich, smooth, and fluffy chocolate buttercream frosting perfect for topping your cakes and cupcakes. It is quick to make and uses simple ingredients for a classic taste.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Total Time: 10 min
- Yield: About 3 cups 1x
- Category: Dessert Topping
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup milk (or heavy cream for richer texture)
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Beat the softened butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer until it is light and creamy. This usually takes about 2 minutes.
- Add the cocoa powder to the butter mixture. Beat on medium speed until fully combined and smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing on low speed until incorporated. Increase the speed to medium and beat until combined.
- Add the vanilla extract and milk (or cream). Beat on medium-high speed for 3 to 5 minutes until the frosting is light, fluffy, and smooth. Add the pinch of salt.
- If the frosting is too thick, add milk, one teaspoon at a time. If it is too thin, add more powdered sugar, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired spreading consistency.
- Use immediately to frost your cake or cupcakes.
Notes
- For a darker, richer chocolate flavor, use Dutch-process cocoa powder.
- If your butter is too warm, the frosting will be too soft to hold its shape for piping. Chill the frosting for 10 minutes if this happens.
- This recipe makes enough frosting to cover one 9-inch layer cake or about 18 standard cupcakes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 35
- Sodium: 45
- Fat: 21
- Saturated Fat: 13
- Unsaturated Fat: 8
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 36
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 2
- Cholesterol: 55