Do you want to learn how to make chocolate buttercream for cupcakes, filling and frosting a variety of desserts? One that tastes great but doesn’t cost a fortune to make and is easy to do? Look no further. This simple chocolate icing is quick to make and is absolutely delicious. And you can easily add more or less chocolate to get just the right flavor.

This is an American chocolate buttercream frosting. It is made up of four simple ingredients and can be customized to suit your taste very easily. If you are looking for a light milk chocolate, you just simply add a little cocoa powder at a time and taste as you go. Likewise if you are looking for a rich and decadent dark chocolate flavor. You can also use any type of cocoa powder you like. Dutch cocoa, natural cocoa or even melted chocolate can be used. The options are limitless. Chocolate frosting is so simple to make, you can make all kinds of deserts. Perhaps this chocolate swiss roll?

This recipe is suitable for small desserts like rolled cakes, cupcakes and miniature cakes. However, it is easy to double or even quadruple for any of your baking needs. We like to show smaller portions so that you don’t waste a lot of ingredients when trying out new recipes. This is the perfect amount for 12 cupcakes.

Chocolate Buttercream

This is a lovely and simple to make chocolate frosting for cupcakes, fillings and cakes. This is a small portion perfect for a dozen cupcakes but can easily be increased. Also known as American buttercream, icing, frosting, and filling this chocolate icing is easy to make and wonderful for all kinds of cakes. You can add up the amount of chocolate or make it with less to suit your taste!

Print Recipe

Prep Time20 minutes minutes

Total Time20 minutes minutes

Servings12

Calories 75

Ingredients

• 1 cup (125g) powdered sugar
• ¼ cup (56g) softened unsalted butter
• 2 tbs (10g) powdered cocoa
• 1-3 tsp (5-15mL) cream or milk

Instructions

• Cream butter and add in sugar slowly on low speed. This will prevent gritty frosting.
• Add in cocoa. Mix on low until fluffy.
• Add cream (or milk) one teaspoon at a time mixing on low until desired consistency.

Notes

If desired, add just a teaspoon of cocoa powder at a time and taste between additions to get flavor of chocolate you desire. You may wish to add more than recipe calls for to get the perfect chocolate frosting for you!

This will ice one 6″ cake, the top of a 9×5″ loaf pan or 12 cupcakes.  For a two layer 6″ cake or a single 9″ cake, double the recipe. 

You can use shortening or margarine in place of butter or any combination of the three.  Margarine will be much looser consistency and not recommended for layering cakes.  Shortening will help develop a nice crust and is often used in hot weather as it melts at a higher temperature.  

Nutrition Facts

Chocolate Buttercream

Amount per Serving

Calories

75

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

3.8

g

6

%

Saturated Fat

 

2.3

g

14

%

Carbohydrates

 

10.5

g

4

%

Fiber

 

0.3

g

1

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

* Calories provided as a courtesy and not guaranteed.