After trying so many chocolate buttercream frosting recipes, I’ve finally found the one that actually tastes like real chocolate buttercream because it uses melted chocolate rather than cocoa powder.
It differs from my regular buttercream frosting recipe because the melted chocolate needs a slightly different variation of ingredients.
This frosting can be spread on, or piped on, whether you’re trying to decorate a cake, make the cookie sandwich filling for these chocolate chip cookie sandwiches or these red velvet cookie sandwiches, or just eat straight off the spoon, no judgment.
I’ll give you two options for melting the chocolate, one easier than the other, but one more fool proof.
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Ingredients
For this frosting, you just need a few ingredients.
- Butter, softened
- Powdered sugar
- Milk chocolate
- Milk
Must-Have Baking Tools (seriously)
- Silicone baking mats – I use this brand and my cookies slide right off without burning!
- a cookie scoop – get this one. It makes the perfect rounded cookies every time!
- silicone spatula – try this set. It’s the best way to get the most out of your dough and batters
- rolling pin guides – I use this one. Genius way to roll your dough out evenly!
How to Make Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
First, combine the butter and powdered sugar in a large bowl and use an electric mixer to beat until smooth.
It may take a few minutes, depending on how soft your butter is, but keep going as it will get there.
Then, add in the milk and combine – this will create a very smooth buttercream.
Finally, add in the melted chocolate and stir until combined.
I prefer my buttercream slightly chilled, so I put it in the fridge for 30 minutes before using, but you don’t have to.
How to Melt the Chocolate
There are two ways to melt the chocolate, one which is easier and one which is fool-proof, and those aren’t the same!
The easy way is to melt it in a microwave safe bowl in the microwave, doing it in stretches of about 30 seconds each time.
Stir after each 30 seconds, until the chocolate is completely melted.
The only problem with microwaving chocolate is that sometimes due to the fussiness of chocolate and people’s impatience, it can either burn or harden after it cools down, which is not what we want.
The second way to melt chocolate, which is what I did for this recipe, is to find a heat proof bowl and put your chocolate in it.
Then, boil about an inch or two of water in a pot with the bowl of melted chocolate on top of it (but not touching the water).
Put the heat on low to medium heat and continue stirring the chocolate with a silicone spatula.
It will take longer, but it will keep the chocolate in temper so you don’t run the risk of creating melted chocolate in the wrong consistency for the buttercream.
This is known as the bain marie method.
Can I Use Another Type of Chocolate?
Yes!
You can use milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or white chocolate to make whatever flavor of chocolate buttercream icing you’d like.
You can even combine them if you want a mix of both flavors.
How to Store Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
You can store buttercream frosting in the fridge for up to 5 days, but if you’re not planning to use it in the next couple of days, follow my guide on freezing buttercream frosting so you can keep it for up to 3 months.
Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
This chocolate buttercream frosting is smooth and delicious, made with real chocolate and fun to put on cupcakes, cookies, or cakes.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (100 grams)
- 1 and 1/2 cups + 1 and 1/2 tablespoons powdered sugar (200 grams)
- 1 tablespoon of milk
- 4.4 ounce bar of chocolate (100 grams)
Instructions
- Combine the butter and powdered sugar in a large bowl and use an electric mixer to beat until smooth. It may take a few minutes, depending on how soft your butter is, but keep going as it will get there.
- Add in the milk and combine - this will create a very smooth buttercream.
- Add in the melted chocolate and stir until combined.
Notes
1. I prefer my buttercream slightly chilled, so I put it in the fridge for 30 minutes before using, but you don't have to.
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