Dark Chocolate Buttercream Frosting, an easy and delicious frosting that you will want to make again and again. If you enjoy chocolate than you will love this dark chocolate frosting!
I love decorating with this frosting!
This is one of my favorite frostings! I probably say that about every frosting I make but oh well.
I guess I just love frosting!
This easy chocolate frosting recipe is rich, smooth, and something you will love!
This frosting is so smooth and delicious!
How to make dark chocolate buttercream frosting:
- Whip the butter
- Mix in espresso powder, dark cocoa powder, and vanilla
- Mix in the powdered sugar and heavy cream
- Enjoy!
What if my frosting is too runny?
Mix in more powdered sugar until you get the consistency you want. Start with ¼ powdered sugar then increase from there.
What if my frosting is too stiff?
Mix in more heavy whipping cream until you get the consistency you want. Start with 1 tbs heavy whipping cream then increase from there.
I recently used this chocolate buttercream recipe on my Valentines Day Cupcakes- and it was perfect!
Add sprinkles to your chocolate frosting for an extra flair!
I used this frosting on my easy Valentines Cupcakes!
Make sure to check out my other frosting recipes!
- Milk Chocolate Buttercream
- Marshmallow Frosting
- Brown Sugar Frosting
- Best Vanilla Frosting
- Cream Cheese Frosting
Don't forget to pin this recipe!
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Dark Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients
- ½ cup cold butter cut into chunks
- ½ teaspoon espresso powder
- ½ cup dark cocoa powder I used Hershey’s Special Dark
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- 12 tbs heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- In a mixer whip the butter until it is fluffy.
- Add in the espresso powder, dark cocoa powder, and vanilla and mix until combined.
- Add in powdered sugar and heavy whipping cream. Alternating between the two. I like to add in 1 cup of powder sugar followed by 2 tbs of heavy whipping cream, let it combine and then add the next round of powdered sugar and cream.
- Once everything is added, mix on high for 20-30 seconds.
Notes
- *If you are going to pipe the frosting on really tall then you will need to double this recipe.
Nutrition
Post updated 12/9/2020
grace costa
are you sure its only 1/2 cup butter to 5 cups 10x sugar?
Lisa
Yep! Sounds crazy but it turns out delicious and perfect for decorating cupcakes or cakes! And make sure you use powdered sugar not regular granulated sugar.
Kathy
Just finished icing the bday cake excellent frosting .I added dark chocolate chips.thanks
Lisa
Yay!! If you have pics I'd love to see them! Tag me on insta @atablefullofjoy or facebook! <3
audrey
will this keep well in the fridge for a couple of days? i usually keep buttercream in the fridge and rewhip it after it’s sat out for a couple of hours.
Lisa
Yep that should be fine. It will get much harder, so letting it come back to room temp, or close to, might help along with rewhipping.
Julie
I normally hate Buttercream Frosting but this is to die for! I used it on a dark chocolate espresso mayonnaise cake and it's the best cake I've ever had in my life thanks to the Frosting! I did add some extra cacao powder & espresso than what it calls for.
Lisa
Yay!!! I am so happy to hear!
Joyce
I want to use this recipe for a 9” three layer cake. Do I need to double or triple it?
Lisa
I would do two batches if you want a crumb coat and a little extra for piping decorations.
Ada G. Scott
My question is is how do you whip cold butter?
Lisa
Good question and I know it seems a little backwards. I like to cut the butter into small chunks and then whip on med/high. The butter will soften enough to whip after a time. Alternatively if you don't want to wait you can use slightly softened butter or microwave your butter for 10 second intervals at 30% power in the microwave until just softened. The goal is to keep the butter from becoming too loose so it has a smoother consistency.
AmyT
Looks great, I'll definitely try making it. I'm hoping to fill some macarons with a dark choc filling.
Lisa
Nice! That sounds so delicious!