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You are here: Home / Cake Decorating Recipes / Frostings / Chocolate Buttercream Frosting Recipe (Video)

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting Recipe (Video)

August 10, 2018 *Updated* November 25, 2019 By Veena Azmanov 38 Comments

Recipe Video Print

BEST Chocolate Buttercream Frosting Recipe – Just 5 mins (eggless recipe)

This is the best chocolate buttercream frosting recipe you will ever make. It’s light, airy with real melted chocolate, not just cocoa powder. I have been using this for all my cakes and cupcakes only to receive rave reviews from my customers. Today, I share with you my secret to making the best chocolate buttercream recipe with this step-by-step video tutorial.

An image optimized for social media share for this step by step video tutorial on how to make the best Chocolate buttercream Frosting Recipe ever.
Best Buttercream Frosting in just 5 minutes with just 5 ingredients with real melted chocolate

If you take the trouble to bake a delicious cupcake don’t just frost it with a mixture of butter, sugar, and chocolate. Isn’t that what chocolate buttercream is? Butter, sugar, and chocolate. Well, yes and no! They may be just three main ingredients, and yet, if you do it right, it can be the best frosting recipe you have put on your cakes or cupcakes.

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, often the difference between good and OMG is a little bit of extra effort. So today, I share with you my way of making this chocolate buttercream frosting recipe in just 5 minutes with only 5 ingredients.

About this Chocolate Buttercream Frosting Recipe

Having been in the cake business for as long as I have, I have made oh so many buttercream recipes. But, when it comes to chocolate frosting, this one gets huge, and I mean huge reviews. It’s not just a big ball of dense chocolate and sugar.

It’s light, fluffy with just the right amount of chocolate. The trick is in whipping the buttercream so the whipped cream adds volume and stability. Also, the amount of chocolate is just right. So, while it’s a decadent frosting it does not overshadow the cake or dessert.

Ideally, you want to use no less than 54% chocolate. And yet, I have often used up to 70% chocolate in an effort to keep the frosting less sweet. This works great for frosting cupcakes, cakes or dessert that need chocolate buttercream.

Also, this is a very forgiving recipe that works great with any chocolate – dark, semi-sweet, milk, or white.

An image optimized for social media share for this step by step video tutorial on how to make the best Chocolate buttercream Frosting Recipe ever.
Best Buttercream Frosting in just 5 minutes with just 5 ingredients with real melted chocolate

Let’s talk ingredients and substitutes (Save/Pin)

  • Butter – I prefer to use unsalted butter so I can control the quantity of salt in my recipe. And yet, if salted butter is all you gave go ahead and use it. Just omit salt in the recipe.
  • Powdered sugar – Also known as confectioners sugar or icing sugar. When looking for powdered sugar always buy one made from cane sugar, not beet sugar. You will find the buttercream made from cane sugar does not have a grainy consistency.
  • Fresh cream – Just a little but adds so much more. If you are unable to use fresh cream, I’d recommend using non-dairy creamer or just 2 tbsp of water. I like using 1/4 cup cream, but if you need to pipe stiff borders use less than that. It will keep the frosting stiffer.
  • Chocolate – Use the best quality chocolate you can afford. After all, the chocolate is the star of the show here. You can add a little more (50 grams) or use less chocolate in this recipe, but it can affect the consistency and taste. (see F&Q below)
  • Vanilla – A good quality vanilla will make a huge difference in anything you make. Premium vanilla can be expensive, which is why I make my own homemade vanilla extract, bean paste or sugar.

Useful Tips and Tools

  • If you bake often, it would be a good idea to invest in a cake mixer. Because often we try to mix by hand and then we are too tired to give it enough creaming or mixing. So, if you are making this buttercream, go head and remove that K-Mix or KitchenAid from your kitchen cabinet. And yet, you don’t have to buy an expensive stand mixer, a simple hand mixer works great too.
  • For buttercream mixing always use a paddle attachment so you do not incorporate too much air into the buttercream. Some recipes, however, such as meringue buttercreams, require the use of the whisk attachments.
  • Having said that, a simple bowl, whisk and spatula with a little extra elbow grease will also do.
  • Personally, I believe in measuring ingredients by weight, which makes my kitchen scaleone of the most valuable items when baking. The same goes for mymeasuring cups and measuring spoons. It’s always a good idea to have these handy and use them when baking rather than trying to guess measurements.
  • After the buttercream is prepared, always keep it sealed well in the fridge. This will prevent any odor from the other foods to attach itself to the buttercream. Therefore, I place my buttercream in a stainless steel storage (we try to avoid using plastic in our home). And I also cover the top surface of the buttercream with cling wrap.

How to Make The BEST Chocolate Buttercream Frosting (Save/Pin)

  • Melt chocolate in the microwave or double boiler – set aside to cool.
  • Make sure the butter is room temperature not cold.
An image optimized for social media share for this step by step video tutorial on how to make the best Chocolate buttercream Frosting Recipe ever.
Best Buttercream Frosting in just 5 minutes with just 5 ingredients with real melted chocolate
  • Use a whisk or mixer and cream the butter for a minute.
  • Add salt, fresh cream and vanilla – mix a minute longer, until well combined.
  • Now, add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time.
  • Once all the powdered sugar has been incorporated,
  • Continue to mix for 2 to 3 minutes more until you have a light and fluffy buttercream.
  • The cream in the mixture will whip and give you almost stiff peaks.
An image optimized for social media share for this step by step video tutorial on how to make the best Chocolate buttercream Frosting Recipe ever.
Best Buttercream Frosting in just 5 minutes with just 5 ingredients with real melted chocolate
  • Tip: If you do not whip enough, the buttercream will be soft consistency, which may not be pipeable. So, whip until you have a stable whipped cream kinda light and fluffy frosting. (See video)
  • Lastly, add the melted cooled chocolate to the buttercream and stir well to combine.
An image optimized for social media share for this step by step video tutorial on how to make the best Chocolate buttercream Frosting Recipe ever.
Best Buttercream Frosting in just 5 minutes with just 5 ingredients with real melted chocolate

Frequently asked questions

How long can a cake with chocolate buttercream sit out?

It really depends on the type of frosting you use and the weather where you keep the cake. This chocolate buttercream frosting can be kept out for a few days (2 to 3 days at room temperature) as long as it’s not hot and humid because it’s made with butter. That said, if you live in a hot and humid climate like Israel, India or Texas in summer, it best to leave them in the fridge for long hours.

How long can you store this buttercream frosting recipe?

If you make extra buttercream don’t throw it away. Freeze it and it will last for months.

Can I use this buttercream to frost a cake?

You certainly can use this buttercream to frost a whole cake. In fact, I have over 30 plus buttercream recipes that you can use to frost cakes and over 30 plus layer cake recipes to use all these buttercream flavors.

Can I use this frosting to pipe Russian buttercream flowers?

You can but if you want to pipe flowers using the Russian piping tips I highly recommend my stiff buttercream recipe. You can find tips for using Russian Piping Tips here.

Can I add cocoa instead of chocolate to this buttercream?

If you want a cocoa-based chocolate buttercream I highly recommend my bakery style chocolate buttercream frosting made with cocoa powder.

Can I add flavor to this chocolate buttercream frosting recipe?

Yes, you sure can use this as a base for other flavors. I do have over 30 buttercream frosting recipes on this blog. Some from scratch and some made from a basic buttercream recipe. Also read, Buttercream Basic -Buttercream 101 a great guide for beginners.

Can I omit the cocoa powder to make a vanilla buttercream frosting?

Ideally, you can, but for the best measurements, I highly recommend using my velvet American buttercream frosting, or vanilla buttercream frosting (eggless) or bakery style vanilla buttercream frosting.
Of course, there is vanilla flavor in other buttercreams as well such as Swiss meringue buttercream, Italian meringue buttercream, French buttercream or German buttercream.

Can I use this buttercream for a fondant covered cake?

Absolutely. I have used it on numerous cakes for customers as well as family and friends and it never fails to get a compliment.

Troubleshooting & Tips

  • My chocolate buttercream is not smooth but grainy – You must ensure the buttercream and chocolate are room temperature when combining. Do you know what happens when you cool chocolate? It sets.
  • How can I add chocolate to the buttercream without seizing – Another fool-proof method to adding the chocolate would be a tempering method – add a little buttercream to the chocolate first. Combine well, then add the chocolate to the rest of the buttercream.
  • My buttercream is lumpy? – Make sure the butter is room temperature not cold. Cold butter does not cream beautifully. The added advantage of creaming room temperature butter is that it lightens the butter. This works best when you want to add food color gels.
  • My buttercream is too soft – You either added too much liquid or the butter was too soft when you started it. Place the butter in the fridge for a few minutes to firm up.
  • My buttercream is too sweet? – Buttercream is butter and powdered sugar, so it is supposed to be sweet. And yet, you can use good quality chocolate with 70% plus cocoa to make it less sweet.

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An image optimized for social media share for this step by step video tutorial on how to make the best Chocolate buttercream Frosting Recipe ever.
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Chocolate Buttercream Frosting Recipe – Just 5 minutes

Author: Veena Azmanov
5 from 19 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 5 mins
Calories: 436kcal
Adjust Servings Here: 12 Cupcakes

Description

This is the best chocolate buttercream frosting recipe you will ever make. It's light, airy with real melted chocolate, not just cocoa powder. I have been using this for all my cakes and cupcakes only to receive rave reviews from my customers.

Ingredients

  • 228 grams (8.04 oz) Unsalted Butter (2 sticks)
  • 375 grams (3.13 cups) Powdered sugar
  • 60 ml (0.25 cups) Fresh cream
  • 100 grams (3.53 oz) Chocolate
  • 1/2 tsp (0.5 tsp) Salt
  • 1 tbsp (1 tbsp) Vanilla
ADJUST SERVINGS HERE – 12 Cupcakes

Instructions

  • Melt chocolate in the microwave or double boiler – set aside to cool.
  • Make sure the butter is room temperature not cold.
  • Use a whisk or mixer and cream the butter for a minute.
  • Add salt, fresh cream and vanilla – mix a minute longer, until well combined.
  • Now, add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time.
  • Once all the powder sugar has been incorporated,
  • Continue to mix for 2 to 3 minutes more until you have a light and fluffy buttercream.
  • The cream in the mixture will whip and give you almost stiff peaks.
  • Tip: If you do not whip enough the buttercream will be soft consistency which may not be pipeable. So whip until you have a stable whipped cream kinda light and fluffy frosting. (See video)
  • Lastly, add the melted cooled chocolate to the buttercream and stir well to combine.

Recipe Video

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Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Chocolate Buttercream Frosting Recipe – Just 5 minutes
Amount Per Serving (100 g)
Calories 436 Calories from Fat 205
% Daily Value*
Fat 22.8g35%
Saturated Fat 13.9g70%
Trans Fat 0g
Polyunsaturated Fat 8.9g
Monounsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 37mg12%
Sodium 290mg12%
Potassium 0mg0%
Carbohydrates 55.9g19%
Fiber 0g0%
Sugar 52.9g59%
Protein 1.9g4%
Vitamin A 0IU0%
Vitamin C 0mg0%
Calcium 0mg0%
Iron 0mg0%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

The nutrition information and metric conversion are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator. Thank you

Keywords – Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
Did you make this recipe? I’d love to hear about itMention @veenaazmanov or #tag on Instagram #veenaazmanov

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Author – Veena Azmanov

About Veena Azmanov

I’ve always loved cooking, baking, and cake decorating but couldn’t afford to attend culinary schools. So, I had to learn my way through trials and errors.
Here you can find my delicious, often healthy, and practical recipes, along with instructional videos and tutorials. In addition, I provide cake decorating recipes, tutorials, and tips on how to start your own cake decorating business.
I am also a contributor to two other websites – Cake Decorating Tutorials and East Indian Recipes.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mary L Taylor

    October 17, 2018 at 7:06 pm

    Omg! This buttercream is a dream come true. I am not kidding Veena. I usually make swiss buttercream but I was in a hurry and came across your page. I could have eaten the whole bowl(but I didn’t)last night and robbed my cake!
    Such an easy recipe to follow and the results were just outstanding.
    Thank you so much for your posts.
    Looking forward to all you offer your followers.
    Have a blessed day!

    Reply
    • Veena Azmanov

      October 18, 2018 at 10:53 pm

      Thank you so much, Mary. I am so happy to hear you enjoyed this so much. I do love this recipe myself.

      Reply
  2. Shamalavany

    September 26, 2018 at 6:57 pm

    Hi Veena
    Thank you for the recipe. Can I substitute the melt chocolate with cocoa powder. How much will be the measurement for cocoa powder to use?

    Reply
    • Veena Azmanov

      September 27, 2018 at 12:32 am

      You can – just the cocoa into a paste with warm water – cool it then combine well. This will give you a richer color. THanks

      Reply
      • Shamalavany

        September 27, 2018 at 5:38 am

        Thank you so much Veena. Will try soon.

        Reply
        • Veena Azmanov

          September 27, 2018 at 8:13 am

          You are welcome

          Reply
  3. Rasha Tayan

    September 23, 2018 at 1:21 am

    Thank you Veena for this recipe, seems so delicious & yummy.
    Please recommend is there any substitution for cane sugar as it is not available at my region?
    Also can I use this butter cream as filling and cover for my cake??

    Many thanks in advance.

    Reply
    • Veena Azmanov

      September 23, 2018 at 9:44 am

      Thanks, Rasha. You can use this buttercream for filling and frosting cakes and cupcakes – inside and outside.
      You can use whatever powdered sugar you get where you are – if possible find a one that’s made with beat sure. If not well, just use what you have. Hope this helps.

      Reply
      • Rasha Tayan

        September 23, 2018 at 1:25 pm

        Many thanks for quick reply. Appreciate a lot your valuable time.

        Reply
        • Veena Azmanov

          September 23, 2018 at 2:43 pm

          You are very welcome Rashna.

          Reply
  4. Tara H

    September 15, 2018 at 1:19 pm

    Wow I just found your recipes and these look amazing! It’s so hard to find all butter buttercream recipes! If I wanted this to crust, do I just add a little less cream? Or would it not crust?

    Reply
    • Veena Azmanov

      September 15, 2018 at 8:54 pm

      You can add less cream for sure. I’m not much of a crusting buttercream person so my experience with crusting is very limited. But I believe it will crust with less cream. Thanks

      Reply
  5. Tammy

    August 13, 2018 at 9:18 am

    Your buttercream frosting is total perfection! Love how easy this is to whip up…it always takes desserts to the next level 😀

    Reply
    • Veena Azmanov

      August 13, 2018 at 9:23 am

      Thank you, Tammy. A good frosting does take dessert to the next level.

      Reply
  6. swathi

    August 13, 2018 at 2:46 am

    When I bake cake for my son’s birthday next time, I will keep in mind this chocolate butter cream frosting, it looks so creamy and delicious.

    Reply
    • Veena Azmanov

      August 13, 2018 at 7:38 am

      Thanks, Swathi. yes, you must try this one.. you will really enjoy it.

      Reply
  7. Alexis

    August 12, 2018 at 11:55 pm

    I absolutely love that you’ve developed an egg free buttercream recipe. So many egg allergies nowadays but with your recipe, they will still be able to enjoy frosting.

    Reply
    • Veena Azmanov

      August 13, 2018 at 12:20 am

      Thank you Alexis. I always had this recipe on the blog!! It’s been on the blog since 2011 I think. Only difference is that earlier the Vanilla and Chocolate were together on the same post. Now I separated them so I could share the videos for them both. Glad you finally saw it. Enjoy!

      Reply
  8. Jyothi (Jo)

    August 12, 2018 at 7:13 pm

    Oh my God that frosting looks killer!My kids love cupcakes and what could be better than with frosting delicious as this one!

    Reply
    • Veena Azmanov

      August 12, 2018 at 9:30 pm

      Thank you, Jyothi. Yes, your kids would love this.

      Reply
  9. Melissa

    August 12, 2018 at 7:00 pm

    A good buttercream is a recipe that every home cook needs!!! I love how incredibly detailed you are, I cannot tell you the number of times I am making a recipe and am left asking questions (ha!). This will be on standby for when I have to make cupcakes in 2 weeks for a special 1 year old <3

    Reply
    • Veena Azmanov

      August 12, 2018 at 9:31 pm

      Thank you so much, Melissa. I know exactly what you mean. I have been there which is why I write my post the way I do.

      Reply
  10. Nicolas Hortense

    August 12, 2018 at 9:34 am

    There is no way I could resist those cupcakes if they were right in front of me. That frosting looks so silky smooth and amazing!! Really nicely done! Love your work…keep it up! (:

    Reply
    • Veena Azmanov

      August 12, 2018 at 4:13 pm

      Thank you, Nicolas. Yes the frosting is to die for. Thanks

      Reply
  11. Marisa Franca

    August 11, 2018 at 11:07 pm

    You are really getting me in the mood to bake. I can’t believe all the amazing frostings that you have. I know that your Swiss meringue is going to be at the tope of my list. Have you ever used Vanilla paste? Once I start baking again I want to get some.

    Reply
    • Veena Azmanov

      August 12, 2018 at 4:12 pm

      Thank you, Marisa. I know the frosting is delicious. You will love it. I love using vanilla paste. In fact, I do homemade vanilla extract, bean paste, and sugar.

      Reply
  12. Natalie

    August 11, 2018 at 8:57 pm

    Oh Veena can you send me some of these delicious cupcakes?! Yum! That buttercream frosting looks PERFECT! I’m seriously craving this right now.

    Reply
    • Veena Azmanov

      August 12, 2018 at 4:10 pm

      Aww, I so wish you were closer to me, Natalie my sweets. You would love these. This frosting is to die for.

      Reply
  13. Noel Lizotte

    August 11, 2018 at 5:00 pm

    Talk about a classic … butter cream icing! I’ve never tried making it, but this recipe sure seems to take all the guesswork out of it.
    And who doesn’t love chocolate icing?!

    Reply
    • Veena Azmanov

      August 11, 2018 at 6:01 pm

      Thank you, Noel. You will love this frosting. Real simple, easy and effortless.

      Reply
  14. Claudia Lamascolo

    August 11, 2018 at 4:20 pm

    I love how silky smooth this frosting looks. I bet everyone fought for the beaters on this delicious frosting! I know I would have

    Reply
    • Veena Azmanov

      August 11, 2018 at 6:01 pm

      Thank you, Claudia. Yes, this frosting is really delicious and I love licking the beaters off myself.

      Reply
  15. Padmajha Sureshbabu

    August 11, 2018 at 4:01 pm

    My kids have been asking me to make such frosted cakes. Yours look so lovely. Btw, I am a huge fan of your works Veena!I really love the way you put everything together clearly that even a novice will find the recipe easy!

    Reply
    • Veena Azmanov

      August 11, 2018 at 6:00 pm

      Thank you so much, Padmajha. So happy to hear that my method and recipes encourage you to try the recipes. Do let me know if you try my recipes. Always love feedback.

      Reply
  16. Gloria

    August 10, 2018 at 9:55 pm

    Well, I have a couple of chocoholics in the house. This would be the perfect icing for their birthday cupcakes or birthday cakes. I know they would also love this on brownies too.

    Reply
    • Veena Azmanov

      August 11, 2018 at 12:13 am

      Absolutely, Gloria. This would be perfect over cakes, cupcakes, and brownies too!

      Reply
  17. Valerie

    August 10, 2018 at 3:59 pm

    Buttercream icing is very popular in our area. Yours sounds easy to make and looks as good as any that I’ve seen in a store.

    Reply
    • Veena Azmanov

      August 11, 2018 at 12:13 am

      Thanks, Valerie. I think you will love this one.

      Reply

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About Veena Azmanov

About Veena Azmanov

Welcome to my blog

I’ve always loved cooking, baking, and cake decorating but couldn’t afford to attend culinary schools. So, I had to learn my way through trials and errors.
Here you can find my delicious, often healthy, and practical recipes, along with instructional videos and tutorials. In addition, I provide cake decorating recipes, tutorials, and tips on how to start your own cake decorating business.
I am also a contributor to two other websites – Cake Decorating Tutorials and East Indian Recipes.

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