Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

by Courtney on October 8, 2011

I realized this morning, after finishing all 101 cupcakes for tonight’s wedding (YES, I did it!), that I have been holding something back from you all for a very long time now. I can’t even believe it.

I’ve already shared my favorite vanilla buttercream frosting with you all.

I’ve shared almond buttercream frosting with you, too.

Heck, I’ve shared a lot of different frostings with you.

So how could I have ever forgotten to share my favorite chocolate buttercream frosting recipe with you?

This is really one of my favorites. You might be tempted to use chocolate that is sweetened, but don’t do it. The unsweetened chocolate is all you need, because the rest of the ingredients will take care of the sweetness factor (and coming from someone with a gigantic sweet tooth, you can take my word!).

One of the keys to getting this frosting super fluffy is to continue mixing it. Even when it looks like it’s thoroughly combined, let it keep mixing for a few more minutes on medium speed. You’ll end up with a light, fluffy, amazingly delicious chocolate frosting that will knock your socks off!

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
4-1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
4 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate, melted and cooled
1/4 – 1/3 cup milk*

Directions:

Beat confectioners’ sugar and butter with electric mixer in medium bowl on low speed until blended. Stir in vanilla and melted/cooled chocolate. Gradually add in the milk to make the frosting smooth and spreadable.

*It seems like the amount of milk I need varies every time I make this frosting. I tend to add in the milk by the tablespoon until I get a light, fluffy frosting. For this past batch, I probably used closer to a 1/3 cup of milk, so just eyeball it.

Hopefully these will turn out to be a big hit at the wedding tonight! Smile

Question for the Afternoon:

Frosting: What’s your all-time favorite?

Tagged as: baking, chocolate buttercream frosting, cupcakes, recipe

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{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Amy October 8, 2011 at 4:34 pm

Oh man, that looks DELICIOUS! I think you could probably put that on broccoli and it would still taste good…

Hope your weekend is wonderful, Courtney!!

2 chelsey @ clean eating chelsey October 8, 2011 at 4:50 pm

Have fun at that wedding!

I’m a big fan of cream cheese frosting! Now if I could only get a vegan version to taste like the real thing…
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3 SARAH October 8, 2011 at 4:58 pm

Hi Courtney!

Do you keep the cupcakes refrigerated? I also make buttercream frosting with milk and don’t know whether or not they need to be refrigerated?

Cupcakes look delicious!!

4 Mallory @ It's Only Life October 8, 2011 at 5:45 pm

thank you SO much for the recipe! oh gosh, choosing a favorite frosting flavor is like choosing a favorite child. um.. i’m going to have to go with vanilla buttercream!
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5 Erica @ For the Sake of Cake October 8, 2011 at 6:26 pm

Wow; 100 cupcakes is impressive!

My favorite frosting is cream cheese!
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6 Amanda- The Nutritionist Reviews October 8, 2011 at 6:33 pm

Your cupcakes always look SO perfect!
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7 Evan Thomas October 8, 2011 at 6:52 pm

I’ve never made chocolate buttercream because the melting and cooling chocolate process always makes me think I’ll mess up and end up with some weird ganache-like frosting. If I ever get over that fear, this is definitely the recipe I’m trying.
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8 Katelyn@ Foodie Goes to School October 8, 2011 at 8:16 pm

Those look AMAZING! What kind of cupcakes do you use with that frosting?!
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9 Gina @ Running to the Kitchen October 8, 2011 at 8:57 pm

I’m partial to cream cheese frosting. Nothing better than a thick cream cheese frosted piece of carrot cake Have fun at the wedding!
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10 Lindsey October 8, 2011 at 9:28 pm

I am not a icing fan usually.. weird I know! But if I had to choose my all time favorite, it would be a chocolate buttercream I made a few months ago!
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11 Molly@hungryhungryrunner.com October 8, 2011 at 10:12 pm

Your cupcakes look so amazing!!! Can’t believe you whipped up 101! Thanks for the frosting recipe. I’m a huge fan of buttercream!!!
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12 Kathryn @ Flopoodle October 9, 2011 at 12:04 am

That frosting somehow manages to look stylish on those cupcakes haha! Thanks for sharing your recipe!
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13 Khushboo October 9, 2011 at 12:17 am

I’m not normally a fan of homemade frosting because it doesn’t compete with the Betty Crocker kind (I’m obsessed) but this looks like it may be worth the extra effort! Enjoy the wedding
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14 Kristen @ notsodomesticated October 9, 2011 at 7:43 am

Yum!! Those look amazing.

This is me being a complete blonde, but I don’t care. You mean 4 and 1/2 cups of powdered sugar, right? Not 4, 1/2 cups (which would be 2 cups)?

Yes, I know stupid question … but I may want to use this recipe, and I wouldn’t want to make a silly mistake!!! (I mean, my blog is called NOT-SO domesticated … I’m still working on it haha!)
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15 Courtney October 9, 2011 at 9:59 am: Haha, yes it’s 4 and a half cups

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16 Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries October 9, 2011 at 9:45 am

Oh boy, this looks fantastic! My favorite frosting is definitely buttercream. I honestly don’t know if I’ve ever had CHOCOLATE buttercream though…I need to try it!
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17 Brittany October 9, 2011 at 10:28 am

Wow 101 cupcakes!! You are a trooper. I love anything chocolate so this looks awesome!

18 Amanda October 9, 2011 at 11:14 am

YUM…I love chocolate frosting. I will have to try that recipe!
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19 Jess @ Jess Go Bananas October 9, 2011 at 11:17 am

I love a maple frosting!
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20 Shannon @ Healthiful Balance October 9, 2011 at 11:18 am

YUM!
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21 Shelly @ Cake is a Food Group October 9, 2011 at 12:57 pm

Those cupcakes look amazing! Cream cheese frosting is my absolute favorite although your buttercream looks quite nice too. Yum!
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22 Kristin Mac October 9, 2011 at 12:59 pm

I’m definitely going to make this frosting, it sounds SO good!
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23 Lizzie October 9, 2011 at 7:40 pm

yum!! i love cupcakes!

24 Jenni April 11, 2012 at 11:40 am

Great information here. Some people say chocolate is better then anything. We have to agree 100%.

25 Jennifer September 9, 2012 at 2:08 pm

Thanks Courtney! I’m so not a baker but I’m going to give this a whirl! About how many cupcakes will this recipe frost?

26 Courtney September 9, 2012 at 2:12 pm: Depending on how much you use per cupcake, probably 1-2 dozen. I tend to get a little heavy handed, so for me, it’s probably closer to 1 dozen

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