This chocolate frosting recipe is rich, fluffy, and full of chocolate flavor! It comes together quickly and is perfect for cakes, cupcakes, or anything that needs a dreamy chocolate swirl.
Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Frosting Recipe
If you love a frosting that’s rich, smooth, and incredibly easy to work with, this chocolate frosting recipe is going to be your new go-to. It’s made with everyday ingredients, comes together fast, and whips up into the dreamiest, fluffiest texture that’s perfect for cakes (especially chocolate cake!), cupcakes, and even topping cookies. Here is why you’ll love it:
Rich Chocolate Flavor
This chocolate buttercream frosting recipe delivers deep, chocolatey goodness in every bite without being overly complicated. Using cocoa powder gives it that classic chocolate flavor that pairs beautifully with just about any cake or cupcake, or even just eating with a spoon!!
Light, Fluffy Texture
One of the best parts about this chocolate frosting recipe is how airy and smooth it becomes once whipped. It spreads like a dream, pipes beautifully, and gives your bakes that soft, cloud-like finish.
Simple Ingredients + Quick to Make
You don’t need anything fancy to make this chocolate frosting — just a few staple ingredients and a mixer. It comes together fast, requires minimal steps, and is perfect when you need a reliable frosting in a hurry.
Want a vanilla version of this recipe? Check out my silky smooth buttercream frosting that has over 60 five-star reviews!
How To Make Chocolate Frosting
You can find the full list of ingredients for this chocolate frosting recipe in the recipe card at the end of the blog post (for easy navigation, hit the ‘jump to recipe’ button at the top of the blog post). Here is a quick visual breakdown of the recipe (recipe video is also provided in the recipe card below).
Add butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt to a large bowl. Using an electric mixer (hand or stand mixer is fine), start on low speed for about 10 seconds so the powdered sugar doesn’t fly everywhere, then increase to high speed and whip for 5 minutes until it’s light and fluffy, making sure to scrape down the bowl halfway through.
Next, add cocoa powder and heavy cream. Begin mixing on low for about 10 seconds so the cocoa doesn’t fly everywhere, then increase the speed to high and whip until the frosting is smooth, creamy, and airy. The frosting is now ready to use!
How to Store Chocolate Frosting
Store your chocolate frosting in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. When you’re ready to use it, let it come back to room temperature and give it a quick rewhip so it’s light and fluffy again. You can also freeze it for up to 2 months — just thaw it in the fridge overnight, bring it to room temperature, and rewhip before using.
Easy Chocolate Frosting Recipe
Print Pin VideoIMPORTANT: For accuracy, I would recommend using the gram measurements provided, as those are the exact quantities I use. Cup measurements are given as estimates (based on US cup measurements) to make it easier for those who do not have a scale.
Ingredients
- 1½ cups (340 g) unsalted butter - room temperature
- 3 cups (375 g) powdered sugar - also known as icing/confectioners' sugar
- 2 tsps vanilla extract/essence
- ½ cup (50 g) unsweetened cocoa powder - Dutch processed preferred
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ cup (60 g) heavy cream - room temperature. Any cream used to make whipped cream will work. Whole milk works too.
Instructions
- Add butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt to a large mixing bowl. Using a hand or stand mixer (see note 1), start on low for about 10 seconds so the powdered sugar doesn’t fly everywhere, then increase the speed to high and whip for 5 minutes until it’s light and fluffy, making sure to scrape down the bowl halfway through.
- Next, add cocoa powder and heavy cream. Begin mixing on low for about 10 seconds so the cocoa doesn’t fly everywhere, then increase the speed to high and whip until the frosting is smooth, creamy, and airy. The frosting is now ready to use!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information are estimates only as they are automatically calculated by a third party application. Actual values may differ based on brands and types of products used.
