This chocolate frosting is probably one of my favourite recipes of all time! It is so easy to put together, and has a secret ingredient that really takes it to another level – cream cheese!
Cream cheese adds a rich, creamy texture to the buttercream frosting, and you honestly can’t even tell it’s in there, so it doesn’t take away from the chocolate flavour at all! Trust me, it is so yum and you will never go back to regular chocolate frosting after trying this version!
How to make chocolate cream cheese frosting
If you haven’t tried a chocolate cream cheese frosting before, you are missing out! Luckily, it is super easy to put together so you have no excuse not to try this frosting 🙂
Being by creaming your butter for a few minutes until it’s light and fluffy. Either use a hand mixer or stand mixer on a medium high speed. If using a stand mixer, use the paddle attachment.
Add in the icing sugar in 3 batches while mixing on low. Ensure that each batch of icing sugar is mixed into the butter well before adding in the next batch.
Next add in your cold cream cheese and vanilla. Mix just until the frosting is smooth. Avoid over-mixing (see note 4 on recipe card).
Lastly add in your cocoa powder and mix until well combined and smooth. Avoid over-mixing.
And that is literally it! CAUTION: Do not eat the entire bowl of frosting before icing your cake 🙂
Easy Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
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
- 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter - room temperature
- 4½ cups (570 g) icing sugar - also known as confectioners/powdered sugar
- 1½ cups (335 g) cream cheese - cold, firm type
- 1½ tsps vanilla essence/extract
- ¾ cup (75 g) cocoa powder - unsweetened, Dutch processed preferred
Instructions
- Cream your butter for a few minutes until it's light and fluffy. Either use a hand mixer or stand mixer on a medium high speed. If using a stand mixer, use the paddle attachment.
- Add in the icing sugar in 3 batches while mixing on low. Ensure that each batch of icing sugar is mixed into the butter well before adding in the next batch.
- Next add in your cold cream cheese and vanilla. Mix just until the frosting is smooth. Avoid over-mixing (see note 1).
- Lastly add in your cocoa powder and mix until well combined and smooth. Avoid over-mixing.
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.
57 Comments
Hey Maryam! Omg what can I say? I saw the reviews and the way everyone sang your praises i thought I’d give it a try, and I can confirm i joined the club of “after trying this I’m not going back” it was delicious and so so smooth I loved it. Thank you so much
Best frosting ever….superb….just too yummy….will always be my go to frosting….nothing else…..how to store left over frosting….
Yay! So glad you loved it Charmy 😀
Due to the cream cheese frosting it will need to be stored in the fridge overnight 🙂
Simply let it come to room temp and re-whip if necessary before using again. Enjoy!
Dear MK,
I have a small home based cake business that lately has been receiving more of eggless, vegetarian and vegan cakes from my customers. And it has become my niche!
I must tell you, that your recipes are my go-to trusted recipe and the result is always superb. Thank you 😊
I stumbled across your video first few years back, then went to your blog and the rest is history.
Just want to say a big thank you, and God Bless You and your wonderful recipes that allow me to have this baking business. 🙏🏻💓.
From a mere hobby, into something that I am so proud of, with your help through the recipes!
Aww this made my day Fannie! So happy to hear you and your customers are loving the recipes 😀
I used your butter cream cheese frosting and it is amazing I finally found one that I really really love thank you so much can’t wait to ride the chocolate
So happy to hear that Myrtle! Hope you enjoy this one just as much 🙂
The best frosting ever. I will never eat prepaid frosting again. And it was so simple to make.
Thanks so much Michelle! So so happy to hear you loved the frosting 😀
Hi Maryam,
Can I use this to frost a wedding cake. I am making a tiered cake.
Hi Seira! 🙂
It depends on how large the wedding cake is and how hot the weather will be. This frosting is relatively stable, but when it comes to wedding cakes I usually advise cream cheese based frostings to be used as a filling, with a more stable frosting on the outside just for added assurance 🙂
Can I sift the powdered sugar and cocoa together, and add them to the butterr, or does the cocoa powder have to be added last?
Hi Tonya! 🙂 Yes I think that should be fine to sift the cocoa with the powdered sugar 🙂
You may just have a very stiff mixture initially (due to the ratio of dry ingredients to butter), but once the cream cheese is added in it will become softer/smoother.
Hope you enjoy the recipe! 🙂