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With over 2 million views and counting since 2013, this Chocolate Frosting Recipe is my most popular frosting recipe on my website. Using simple ingredients, it’s simple to whip up and the best frosting for any kind of cake, especially birthdays!
There are thousands of homemade chocolate frosting recipes out there. This is the one that continues to be requested for every birthday, special occasion or just because! Just take a look at the 600+ reviews in the comment section at the bottom of this post and you’ll see that it’s a favorite for many others as well. Be warned, this frosting is so gosh darn delicious it may disappear before you even get to frost your cake! Move over store-bought frosting because this recipe is about to knock your socks off.
Homemade Chocolate Frosting ingredients
This Chocolate Frosting recipe is essentially a chocolate buttercream because it’s made with:
- softened butter – salted or unsalted will be just fine
- powdered sugar – sifted
- cocoa powder – sifted
- vanilla extract
- milk – amount to be adjusted to your liking. f you’re going to pipe this recipe, you’ll want it more stiff so it holds its shape, if you’re wanting to frost a cake, you’ll want it slightly thinner and more easily spreadable.
Pro Tip: Before you get started, make sure you are using very soft butter, sifted powdered sugar, sifted cocoa powder and be prepared to adjust the thickness of the frosting with a little more milk or a little more powdered sugar.
How to make Chocolate Frosting
I assure you this is one of the easiest recipes in the entire world you can make. I promise you can do it!
- Whip butter and cocoa powder together until smooth in large bowl.
- Stir in vanilla extract and powdered sugar.
- Slowly stream in milk until frosting reaches desired consistency.
- Scrape sides and whip again until light, fluffy and smooth, 1-2 minutes.
Need more chocolate in your life? Try these tasty treats: Actually Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies, Chocolate Cake Extreme, Chocolate Cobbler, Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars.
Can I make this Chocolate Buttercream Frosting ahead of time?
Absolutely! This chocolate frosting will last for one week in the fridge as long as it’s in an airtight container. If you plan on using it to frost a cake, you’ll want to bring it to room temperature for 3-4 hours first and then whip it for a quick 20 seconds to get it light and fluffy again before using.
Chocolate Icing Tips and Tricks
Time and time again, I get comments on this recipe saying it was either way too thick or way too thin to use. Here’s the secret though: not everyone measures cocoa powder or powdered sugar exactly the same. So all the frostings you make using the exact same recipe will vary and you will have to make minor adjustments.
- If your frosting is too thick, slowly add in milk little by little to get the consistency you want.
- If your frosting is too thin, add a little extra powdered sugar little by little to get the consistency you want.
- If you want to use this frosting to cover a whole cake, run a butter knife through the finished frosting. If it holds its shape but is still really easy to spread, it’s perfect. I’d highly recommend using an offset spatula for frosting a cake.
- For pipeable frosting that holds its shape, you want to make sure the frosting will hold its shape and not fall, so slightly stiffer than for frosting a whole cake. These disposable piping bags are great! Also, this 1M Wilton frosting tip is the one I use to get those gorgeous mountains of frosting on top of cupcakes.
This frosting is too sweet!
Friends, frosting is supposed to be sweet! I know when you see 5 cups of powdered sugar, your eyeballs jump out of their sockets, but trust me, it will be just fine. Especially since this chocolate frosting recipe makes a ton: enough to frost an entire 9-inch cake with leftovers or 24 cupcakes.
If you find that the frosting is too sweet, try to sprinkle in a little salt. If you want to reduce the powdered sugar by 1-2 cups, you are welcome to do so, but know you will have to reduce the milk as well.
How to use Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
Besides licking this right from the spoon, I have lots of cakes and cupcakes recipes to make with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting.
- Classic Chocolate Cake
- Chocolate Cupcakes
- Flourless Chocolate Cake
- Chocolate Candy Cane Cake
- Vanilla Cake – this combo is to die for!
Chocolate Buttercream Frosting FAQ
No, not at all. Cocoa powder is notoriously lumpy and it definitely helps to sift, but not totally necessary. You might not even have a sifter available to you, which is fine! Also, powdered sugar has cornstarch mixed into it to help prevent lumping. As you whip the ingredients for the frosting together, most of the lumps should come out. *Should* come out. They might not, which is all the more reason to sift. But again, don’t lose sleep over this if you can’t sift.
Yes! I actually prefer using salted butter for all my desserts and baked goods. I know, I know, sacrelig! Either unsalted or salted butter is absolutely fine to use interchangeably in this recipe.
Love Cake Decorating? Try these other frosting recipes:
- Vanilla Buttercream
- Cream Cheese Frosting
- Royal Icing
- Chocolate Sour Cream Frosting
- Whipped Chocolate Ganache Frosting
- Cream Cheese Frosting
- Lemon Mousse Frosting
More Favorites from Lauren’s Latest
So, there you have the easiest, tastiest chocolate frosting recipe! Hope you absolutely love it! Be sure to pin, save, bookmark and share this recipe because it’s a good one! Have a great day, friends!
If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.
Chocolate Frosting Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter softened, both salted or unsalted work fine
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder sifted
- 5 cups powdered sugar sifted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3-4 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Whip butter and cocoa together until smooth in large bowl. Stir in vanilla extract and powdered sugar.
- Slowly stream in milk until frosting reaches desired consistency. Scrape sides and whip again until light, fluffy and smooth, 1-2 minutes.
- Frost your cake or cupcakes*!
Video
Notes
- If your frosting is too thick, slowly add in milk little by little to get the consistency you want.
- If your frosting is too thin, add a little extra powdered sugar little by little to get the consistency you want.
DELICIOUS!! Thank you Lauren! I googled “chocolate frosting” the other night as I wanted something new and different. (Did you know you’re the third option that pops up?!)
I read many of the reviews and most of them were about looking forward to trying it – so I wanted to come back and say that I tried it and YES it is AWESOME! Quick, easy and yummy. It was perfect for the treats made in a mini cupcake maker that my daughter got for Christmas!
Thank you for this easy chocolate frosting recipe first time making it! I only made a quarter of the recipe it is fantastic didn’t know it was this easy ty ty
Sorry, but I’m from Brazil and I’m having some trouble understanding the recipe. :/ Should I use a mixer to whip the frosting? Or should I do it with a spoon?
Thanks. ;D
I do this recipe using a sturdy metal spoon.
It was great. Thank you. I did use unsalted butter but I added Bailey’s at the end and it was delicious! (Water too)
C
Definitely a mixer
Sorry ; I didn’t make my question very clear… Should I double all the ingredients for the frosting? tHANKING YOU AGAIN..Nita
I plan on making a three layer cake; should i double all the ingredients? Any help you can give will be appreciated.. Thanking you in advance… Nita
[…] happening in the Middle East? I’m not quite sure, but speaking of Iran, check out these cupcakes! […]
is the butter salted or unsalted?
Salted
Thanks for this great receipe. I used the frosting on top of my Orange Velvet Cake for Thanksgiving and boy, did my family devour the cake.
Tamara
If I use Ree’s cake recipe how many cupcakes would I make please?
24 cupcakes
This is the second time this week I make this frosting for my cakes.
It is absolutely delicious! The kids love it and its soooo easy to make.
Thank you!!
This is like the best recipe ever!you guys should really try it.
I love the recipe!! I had some rasberries, and put them in a few at a time instead of milk and it also turned out amazing! And I put just mushed up rasberries in the middle instead of frosting! Thank you for posting this recipe!
Seriously, This is the BEST chocolate icing! Thanks for sharing!
[…] Adapted From Lauren’s Latest […]
Where do you purchase powered suger & brand?
Powdered sugar is just from the grocery store in the baking aisle. I use the kind with a blue label….don’t remember what the brand is. Any brand is fine though!
What can I use if I don’t have powered sugar I only have regular sugar.
You can blend sugar in a blender to make powered sugar
No that’s superfine/ castor sugar. Powdered sugar is different.
Powdered sugar is also called confectioners sugar depending on where you live 🙂
Do you need to keep icing in the refrigerator
I have been making this frosting for my husband for 21 years and it is fabulous ;0)
This frosting sounds phenomenal!!
You’re so funny!!!
And the cupcakes look amazing… that frosting looks so light and fluffy and perfect!
Hi! Lovely post!
In fact, this inspired me to do a blog post of my own featuring this dish that I have matched with an outfit! I’ve just started my food/fashion blog called Gourmet Sartorialist and It’s a pretty random concept, but i’d love for you to have a look! 🙂
www.netcommads.wordpress.com
Anyway, keep up the great work! I’ll be watching.
[…] And now let’s talk frosting. What I was going for with this particular match was the colour combo. I love that little flash of blue shirt collar peeking out from beneath the sweater. I don’t know about you, but I take cupcake decorating seriously, probably too seriously. I like to buy 100s and 1000s that have been separated by colour – this way you can create your own colour combinations that match your frosting. In this case, who would’ve thought light blue, dark blue and green would look so special with brown? I also chose this food match because I thought the half-moon detail on the sweater was reminiscent of the perfectly coiled buttercream swirls. Get this recipe! […]
Lauren,
I love to cook, but am not much of a baker. Not awful, just not great. I took Rhee’s chocolate cake recipe and your frosting recipe and made it into a 9×13″ cake. It was so seriously good! I made it for my mom’s 76th birthday and it was gobbled up in minutes. So, I guess I can now say that I am a baker!
Many, many thanks for the recipe and laughs! 🙂
That frosting needs to get in my mouth. Like, now.
Diet killing yummy.
I’m soooo going to try this, looks absolutely mouthwatering!
That frosting looks SO luscious! I want a spoon for it 🙂
This chocolate icing tastes delicious 😋
Love easy chocolate frosting. Seriously, love…
That sounds like great frosting! Instead of the milk, you could also try an equal amount of Godiva white chocolate liqueur. SO GOOD.
Umm….whoa.
That liqueur is so expensive 🙁
Im making this right now!!❤👍
Well i did it and it is amazing!!!! Thank you forever❤😍👍👍👍
I just made it and it’s absolutely delicious! PSA, on the thick icing (I’m from the south), let the cake cool to room temperature and then it will glide on easily. Also, instead of expensive liqueur, just use left over coffee, in place of the milk. Thank you for sharing, I Pinned it. 😊
Hi Lauren,
When you say “whip” is that by hand or a mixer? Going to try it today for my Daughter’s 50th Birthday!
Very cute statement…you made a batch ate it..then made another batch…sounds like my kind of chocolate lover. !!
I used an electric hand mixer. A stand mixer works just fine too!
That big scoop of chocolate frosting. Yes, I will take that. Thank you!
Oh boy, this DOES sound good! So good. Love this chocolate beauty!
Such an easy recipe for awesome frosting!!! Totally remembering this for my next chocolate frosting craving 😉
Always great to have an awesome chocolate cake recipe. And that frosting looks amazing, I do want to lick the screen! I think I’m going to ….. Thank you for posting!
mmmmm…
Ha! Just spotted this and thought I’d check against a quick throw together icing I made this morning for the little girl and her friend as they made banana cupcakes last night. I used the same ingredients, but only added 1/2 cup powdered sugar to 3/4 cup butter – we are used to eating little sugar. It was yum!
This does look really easy! I will have to try this for my hubby’s birthday cake this month
Oh does this frosting look great!
I will absolutely be making this!
You write the best and funniest blog posts ever! I love this recipe and want to go make and eat some right now. Every time I pin your recipes to my pinterest page, they get repinned really quickly! Thanks for creating and sharing so many yummy recipes.
Does the icing not have a gritty sugary taste since you are not beating the sugar as much? Please, I need to know today so I can use it for a meeting tomorrow.
Thanks!
If you are using powdered (icing) sugar, there should be no gritty taste. The only reason it would be gritty is if you used granulated sugar.
Hi! What do you mix this with? A spoon, electric mixer, something else? Hoping to make this this weekend
electric hand mixer, stand mixer or spoon can all work. It’ll be much smoother and easier if you’re using something electric.
I adore a good chocolate frosting, and this looks fantastic. I want to eat it with a spoon.
Is it possible to be a lemon freak AND a chocoholic? I think I suffer from both.
Yes it is! When I was a teen I’d always ask lemon cake with chocolate frosting. I’ve since upgraded to brownies topped with lemon squares.
Hello Lauren, beautiful recipe as always! I showcased some birthday cupcakes on my blog , it’s to pity i didn’t find your recipe earlier! Regards
I can’t wait to try it!
When people tell me they don’t like frosting, I never trust a word that comes out of their mouths for the rest of their lives. And I try to avoid them. hahaha I’ve saved your recipe to my dessert folder. Thanks for posting! One drawback of being known as the baker – nobody ever makes me a cake! Does anyone else find that to be the case? Oh well:)
I know what you mean! I’m known to many as the “cupcake queen” but when it comes to my birthday I get a store bought cake from the grocery store! I’d be happy with a simple home made cake.
I am drooling over this frosting!! Happy birthday to your sweet hubs!
The frosting looks perfect! I’ll definitely be trying it sometime!
My jeans are totally going to hate you for this, haha! Thanks for the easy recipe!
THANK YOU SO MUCH!! I needed a chocolate icing recipe for a chocolate cake I’m making tonight and was thinking “Hmmm, I wonder if Lauren has anything I can use…” and low and behold a post! Right front and center! Thank you so much! 🙂 Your the best!
Well that worked out perfectly! 🙂 Glad I could help!
What butter do you use in the frosting?
softened salted butter.
What if I only have UNsalted butter? Can I use that and add salt? If so, then how much?
Sherri- In a Better Homes and Gardens article, I read that you can add 1/4 tsp salt for each stick of butter used. For one cup of butter, add 1/2 tsp.
I’m on a low sodium diet so I can’t use salted butter.
I see the nutritional facts say 138mg of sodium per serving. How much is considered one serving? 1 tbsp, 3/4 tbsp?
My icing turned out like crap and so did the cake! I followed the directions everything the same and the cake is so dense and the icing is runny not firm enough for anything!
In the directions it says to drizzle the milk in until it reaches the desired consistency. Sounds like there was a little too much milk. If it ended up too runny, you should have added in more powdered sugar!
Just realized I only have 1 stick of butter can I halve receipe
yes, absolutely!
Can I use any type of milk or it has to be whole milk? Thank you In advance 🙂
any kind of milk is fine!
This is my firish attempt and it was a huge ,huge hit. Wonderful , thank you
This is my firish attempt and it was a huge ,huge hit. Wonderful , thank you
Great stuff
Your husband is a lucky man, I’m glad you remind him 🙂 This looks like my kind of birthday cake…chocolate on chocolate with sprinkles?? Yessss please!
Gotta love chocolate buttercream! People who say they don’t really like frosting all that much – I do not understand them!
OMG! YES! I can’t comprehend….
What is the consistency i should use? -Gabby the 10 year old cook
Can I reduce tbe sugar? You use 5 cups. Too sweetie!! Or the frosting will not form.
I haven’t used it yet but I am going to try it an I’ll let you know.
There are people who don’t like frosting? They are sick. Perhaps we should start a fund to get them the help the so desperately need?
They probably mean store-bought frosting, which can taste like chemicals/food dye.
this looks FUH-REAKING amazing! I’m the chocoholic in our house so this has my name all over it! PS- You guys a freaking adorable… like make me sick adorable! 😉 PPS- You. Me. October. SOOO EXCITED.
So easy & so delicious!
haha! I keep trying to tell my other half that I’m the best thing that happened to him – he just laughs! The consistency of this icing looks perfect, soft and fluffy but strong enough to hold shape.
I told my boyfriend the other day that he didn’t know what it was like to be happy until he met me. I think we have similar attitudes towards our significant others 😉
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe, it’s always good to have a perfect chocolate cake in the bag and this really does look perfect.
I think this frosting could save a marraige! 😅
Can I freeze my cake with this frosting on it? Will it get smooth an soft like I want when I defrost it?
I wouldn’t reccomend that but you can try!
I was looking for a recipe to make for my husband since he loves Vanilla cake. I think this is a super easy and delicious cake. Thank you for sharing.
what happened to the milk?
In thailand we call it Noom!!!!!!
Noom can really save a marriage.
Perfect frosting even for first timers ❤
Milk is only needed if you’re frosting is too thick.
Does this icing need refrigerated?
I’m wondering the same! The frosting is delicious, I don’t think I’ll ever use anything else!
I refrigerated it after we iced the caked just so it would stay cool and it worked just fine! But I had to smoothie it out before hand
Wpls for chocolate that is not powder form! Do i melt it on heat?
Anyone care to tell me what happened to the milk?????
In thailand we call it Noom!!!!!!
Second time I have used this recipe, and both times have produced a lovely and chocolate deliciousness that my dad and non rave about! My dad’s favorite is chocolate cake and chocolate frosting. We have a winner! Thank you for sharing.
Pls! How long does de frosting last
If you’re using fresh milk and butter then it’ll last about a week in the fridge in an airtight container.