Chocolate Buttercream Icing Recipe

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This Chocolate Buttercream Icing is the perfect easy recipe for any cake or cupcake. It’s made with just a few simple ingredients, so you can whip it up in no time at all. The flavor is rich and chocolatey, with a creamy texture that will make your desserts unforgettable. Give this easy icing recipe a try and you’ll never go back to store-bought icing again!

Making Homemade Icing Recipes can be a rewarding experience – the satisfaction of being able to craft something delicious with your own two hands is truly one of a kind. Plus, homemade icing recipes often taste much better than store bought options without compromising ease of preparation. Whether you are baking cookies for a special occasion or just trying to add a homemade touch to your meal, homemade icing recipes will make any dessert look and taste amazing!

chocolate buttercream icing mixing blade standing up

Ingredients Needed for this Recipe

Here’s what you need for this easy treat!

  • ButterUsing butter in Chocolate Buttercream Icing adds a buttery, silky smooth texture and delivers an incredibly rich flavor. As butter contains about 20% water, it helps in making the frosting soft and creamy. The butter also contributes to the slowly dissolving sweetness on your tongue, as well as increasing aeration so that when you pipe onto cupcakes or cakes, they don’t collapse.
  • Unsweetened Cocoa PowderUnsweetened Cocoa Powder is a great addition to Chocolate Buttercream Icing, as it gives the icing a delicious and intense chocolaty flavor without adding too much sweetness. Unsweetened Cocoa Powder not only amplifies the flavor of the Chocolate Buttercream Icing, but it also creates a really nice texture.
  • Chocolate SyrupChocolate syrup is a great way to make Chocolate Buttercream Icing even better! It adds a subtle sweetness and helps to bring out the rich chocolate flavours that already exist in the icing. The texture of Chocolate Syrup also works wonderfully with Chocolate Buttercream Icing, giving it an enjoyable light-and-fluffy consistency.
  • Powdered SugarPowdered sugar is a must-have ingredient for the best chocolate buttercream icing. This type of sweetener is a finely ground form of traditional granulated sugar, which helps it to dissolve more quickly and evenly in your recipe. Powdered sugar also produces a really light and creamy texture, helping your icing to be beautifully smooth and silky.
  • MilkMilk is an essential ingredient in many cakes and frostings, since it adds a bit of sweetness to the mix. But when Milk is added to Chocolate Buttercream Icing, it takes a classic recipe to the next level. Milk adds that creamy texture as well as a great flavor which balances out the chocolate to yield a smooth and delicious frosting every time.
  • VanillaVanilla is the perfect addition to chocolate buttercream icing, adding a subtle hint of extra sweetness and a velvety texture. Vanilla rounds out the bitter, darker notes from the chocolate and creates a smooth, creamy flavor. Vanilla also has its own unique flavor profile that can bring out the full potential of your creation.
chocolate buttercream icing ingredient list

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What is Buttercream Icing?

Buttercream icing is really a treat for any special occasion. It’s like a little cloud of sweetness that you can add to your favorite cakes and cupcakes! Buttercream is one of the most popular icings because it has the perfect blend of butter, sugar, and cream; making it both light and fluffy while also having just enough sweet taste that it doesn’t overpower the dessert. Buttercream also holds its shape nicely – so decorating with Buttercream Icing is a great option as well. Whether you’re making a cake or cupcakes, Buttercream Icing will always be deliciously delicious!

chocolate buttercream icing in process

Does Buttercream Need to be Refrigerated?

Buttercream icing is a delicious indulgence that adds a rich, creamy sweetness to any cake or pastry. Decorations made with buttercream are often very delicate, so the question of whether it needs to be refrigerated can arise. Buttercream with high amounts of butter and very little other liquid ingredients can generally be left at room temperature without worry.

However, if you’re using heavier cream or milk in your recipe, many experts recommend refrigerating the buttercream after it’s been applied to your desserts. This will help prevent bacterial growth and keep the decorations looking their best.

chocolate buttercream icing batter in bowl

Should I Refrigerate Cake Before Frosting?

One important factor to consider when deciding whether or not to refrigerate cake before frosting is the type of icing you plan on using. While Buttercream Icing is generally more forgiving with temperature changes and can handle a few hours outside of the fridge – especially if your kitchen is kept cool – it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Buttercream Icing is sensitive to moisture, which means a cold cake may actually make it easier to ice and will result in a smoother finish and less crumbly mess – but only if done correctly. If your Buttercream Icing contains dairy products then you must store them in the fridge before and after decorating, so refrigerating the cake beforehand is an absolute must.

chocolate buttercream icing batter on mixing blade

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chocolate buttercream icing batter closeup

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chocolate buttercream icing batter on mixing blade

Chocolate Buttercream Icing Recipe

Yield: 12-24

This is the best chocolate buttercream icing recipe that you will ever find. It's easy to make and requires just a few simple ingredients. You'll love how delicious and chocolatey it is!

Ingredients

  • 8 Tablespoons Butter, room temperature
  • 1/2 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
  • 1/2 Cup Chocolate Syrup
  • 3 Cups Powdered Sugar (sifted)
  • 1 Tablespoon Milk
  • 1 Teaspoon Vanilla

Instructions

  1. Cream the butter in a bowl and add the powdered cocoa and chocolate syrup.
  2. While continuing to mix add the powdered sugar one cup at a time.
  3. Slowly add the milk and vanilla.
  4. Once combined pipe into bags and top cupcakes.

17 Comments

  1. this sounds so delicious! I never would ahve thought of using chocolate syrup. Thanks for the recipe.

  2. I've been looking for a chocolate buttercream recipe. Thanks so much for posting.

  3. I have eaten this frosting and it is amazing!!

  4. Those look so yummy!!

  5. Delish! Thank you for sharing the recipe!

  6. my go to chocolate frosting is usually magnolia bakery's chocolate buttercream but i'm going to have to try this next time…looks delicious 🙂

    jackie
    http://jaclyndesigns.blogspot.com/

  7. Kristen @ ladybug-blessings.com says:

    these cupcakes look amazing!! If you ever have a chance I'd love for you to link up to Handmade Tuesdays @ Ladybug Blessings. http://www.ladybug-blessings.com

    oh & p.s come enter my giveaway for an inspirational dog print 🙂

  8. Elizabeth says:

    Looks delish! That is my favorite kind of cupcake…yellow cake with chocolate frosting! I just need and occasion to make them now! Would love for you to come and visit me at Sew Chatty and link up to Made With Love Monday! http://sewchatty.blogspot.com

  9. I love chocolate and these look quite delicious!

    Denise
    Extreme Personal Measures

  10. I think that is the first frosting I have seen that uses chocolate syrup. I imagine it makes it extra chocolatey and rich.

  11. Tiffany @ Eat at Home says:

    Mmmm, chocolate syrup! Your cupcakes are so pretty too.

  12. This recipe looks really good! It would be great if you came over to Cast Party Wednesday tomorrow and shared some of your recipes.
    Thanks,
    I hope to see you there!

  13. Pingback: Creating Cupcakes With Your Emotions -
  14. Crystal, will this also work with Swerve conf. Sugar. We are diabetics?

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