Quick and Easy Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
Make a rich, fluffy, and glossy chocolate buttercream frosting using simple pantry ingredients. This recipe is fast to prepare and perfect for cakes and cupcakes.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Total Time: 10 min
- Yield: About 3 cups 1x
- Category: Dessert Topping
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 to 5 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Beat the softened butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer until it is light and creamy.
- Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar and cocoa powder to the butter mixture, beating on low speed until combined.
- Add the vanilla extract and 3 tablespoons of milk or cream. Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and beat for 3 minutes until the frosting is fluffy.
- If the frosting is too thick, add the remaining milk or cream, one teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired spreading consistency.
- Beat in the salt. Continue beating for one more minute to incorporate air and make the frosting glossy.
- Use immediately to frost your cooled cakes or cupcakes.
Notes
- For a fudgier texture, reduce the amount of milk or cream used.
- Sift the powdered sugar and cocoa powder to prevent lumps in your finished frosting.
- If the frosting becomes too soft while working, chill the bowl for 10 minutes before continuing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 40g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 45mg