Chocolate Buttercream Frosting makes any cake become the ultimate indulgence. The flavor is rich, it’s creamy-dreamy-delicious and oh so chocolatey!

We can’t resist using it on a rich chocolate cake or a yummy coconut cupcake (Or um, a spoon. Don’t judge.)! 

Chocolate cake with frosting in a baking pan

Whether you are topping cupcakes or filling chocolate cake with buttercream frosting, this smoothly blended combination of butter, powdered sugar and cocoa powder makes for a simply divine chocolate buttercream and is delicious on so many different baked goods!

What is Buttercream?

There are actually 4 different versions of a Buttercream Frosting! It’s basically a mixture of fat (butter) and sugar (white or powdered) and is used as a filling, frosting or icing.

  • The American version is softened butter, powdered sugar, and a splash of vanilla.
  • The Swiss version is whipped egg whites, light corn syrup, white finely granulated sugar and softened butter.
  • The French version is whipped egg yolks, simple sugar syrup and softened butter.
  • The Italian version is simple sugar syrup, whipped egg whites, white finely granulated sugar and softened butter.

While each of these is unique, they all make a simply delicious buttercream frosting (and this recipe uses the American version). You won’t be disappointed!

Mixing Chocolate Buttercream Frosting in a glass bowl

How To Make Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

A good chocolate buttercream frosting recipe starts with good quality ingredients. Be sure to soften the butter, shortening, and have the milk at room temperature before starting. While I don’t use shortening all that often, it really makes for a great flavor and texture in this recipe and I’d highly recommend trying it just as written!

  1. Mix together the dry ingredients (cocoa powder and powdered sugar) and set aside.
  2. Combine butter and shortening until nice and fluffy.
  3. Slowly alternate adding cocoa and milk until fully incorporated. Continue to beat about 3 minutes until it’s light and fluffy!

We recommend licking the beaters at this point…or performing quality control as some may say!

Clear glass bowl of Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

How to Make Chocolate Buttercream Darker

This chocolate buttercream icing recipe can be made into a light chocolate flavor or deepened into a rich chocolate flavor, you decide!

You can make your chocolate buttercream icing more chocolate-y by adding a little more cocoa to the mixture. You can even add a drop or two of black food coloring to darken the buttercream frosting just a tiny bit.

Spreading chocolate frosting over a chocolate cake

Does Buttercream Frosting Need to be Refrigerated?

Since the best chocolate buttercream frosting is made with butter and milk, it can last in the refrigerator up to 5 to 7 days and can be frozen about 3 months. It may have to be refreshed somewhat using a whisk and adding a bit more cocoa powder, but it will still look and taste great on your pastries!

We pull it out of the fridge 30-60 minutes before serving to allow it to soften.

More Delicious Ways to Use This Frosting…

image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text
Clear glass bowl of Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
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Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

Rich chocolate buttercream is easy to make and perfect on cupcakes or cakes.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 12 servings
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Ingredients  

  • 6 tablespoons butter softened
  • 1 tablespoon shortening
  • 2 ⅔ cups powdered sugar
  • cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • cup milk room temperature
  • 1 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions 

  • Mix together icing sugar and cocoa. Set aside.
  • Combine shortening and butter in a bowl.
  • Combine milk and vanilla.
  • Beat shortening and butter until creamed.
  • Slowly alternate adding cocoa mixture and milk mixture
  • Beat until combined and fluffy (approx 3 minutes).

Notes

If you prefer a lighter chocolate flavor, decrease cocoa powder to ½ cup.
4.87 from 37 votes

Nutrition Information

Calories: 177 | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 54mg | Potassium: 82mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 190IU | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 0.7mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Spreading chocolate buttercream frosting over a chocolate cake with writing
A bowl of Chocolate Buttercream Frosting ready to frost a cake with a title
A bowl of chocolate buttercream mixed and ready to frost a cake with writing
A bowl of Chocolate Buttercream Frosting mixed and ready to frost a cake under the title.

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About the author

Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. With a passion for nostalgic flavors and simplified techniques, Holly helps busy home cooks create delicious meals that always work. She is also the author of “Everyday Comfort,” which promises to inspire even more hearty, home-cooked meals.
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Comments

  1. I have been trying for years to make a yellow cake with chocolate frosting for my husband that matches what his mom used to make for him as a kid. I’ve tried so many recipes but that always fall short….. That is until this frosting combined with the yellow cake recipe on your site. I made them this weekend & it was perfect! He loved it & said “…just like mom used to make..”. Holly, as always your site never disappoints! You are my go-to for great recipes!! Thank you!5 stars