That right there is THE best chocolate frosting. It is light and creamy, sweet but not too sweet, with a delightfully mellow chocolate flavour. So what makes it so special? Well essentially it is a super fluffy chocolate buttercream but It is made using REAL dark chocolate, not cocoa powder.
The butter is whipped to perfection until it forms a thick frosting – just perfect for icing cakes or cupcakes. Oh and did I mention this fabulous frosting can be made with just 4 ingredients? So come on, let’s create a bucketload of real chocolate buttercream!
To achieve that light and fluffy texture it all comes down to the method, really beating your butter until it is pale and creamy, along with the addition of good quality dark chocolate. It’s the kind of frosting that makes you seriously consider licking the beaters clean. It’s stiffness makes it ideal for icing cakes or cupcakes.
You should even be able to turn the bowl of frosting upside down without losing a drop – similar to whipped cream. I used mine on a chocolate layer cake (recipe coming soon). Even though it is whipped, it is remains lovely and smooth.
The Best Chocolate Frosting
Makes enough to generously frost 24 cupcakes, or a 3 or 4 layer cake. You can halve the recipe.
Ingredients
345 grams (1 and 1/2 cups or 3 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
625 grams (5 cups) icing or powdered sugar, sifted
2 tablespoons milk
200 grams (1 and 1/3 cup) good quality dark chocolate, pieces
Place your softened butter in a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for approximately 4 minutes (use a timer). Meanwhile melt the chocolate in a microwave, stirring in between 20 second bursts, until just melted and set aside to cool.
Once the butter is very pale and creamy, add in half of the powdered sugar and beat on low until the sugar is incorporated and then beat on medium speed again for a further two minutes. Next, add the rest of the sugar and the milk, and again beat on slow until the sugar is incorporated before turning up to medium for another two minutes.
Next you will want to add in your melted chocolate to the buttercream mixture, ensuring the chocolate is still smooth and melted but is not warm at all. Beat until the chocolate is completely mixed through. Spread the buttercream on your cooled cake or cupcakes or pipe using a piping bag. You can keep this buttercream up to 3 days in the fridge.
Note: To ensure your frosting is nice and fluffy, use a timer and actually beat the butter for the suggested time. That way you won’t be tempted to stop beating earlier.
I’ve always used cocoa powder so I’m super excited to try this. I bet it tastes amazing!
I can not even deal with how beautiful this is! I want to eat it all right now!!
So fluffy and dreamy-licious!! Love the dark chocolate in here!
Thanks Kelly! 🙂
Nothing beats a good frosting, especially if it has proper chocolate whipped in. Dropping by from #FFF
Very true Malinda! 🙂
I think I could eat the whole bowl!
Me too Christin! 😉
Ohhh yesss!! Dangerous stuff right here!! The fact that it’s made with real chocolate makes this frosting seriously addictive. I probably would run short on the frosting when it came time to decorate the cake because I’d have licked a bunch of it off the beater and spatula :p Looks absolutely seductive, Jess! <3
Hahaha you and me both Beeta! 😉
I could definitely eat this straight from the bowl, who needs to add it to a cake ?!
Thanks for linking up with us for Fabulous Foodie Fridays, have a great weekend 🙂
Hahaha yes let’s do away with the cake! 😉 Thanks Lauren!
Jessica this looks fabulous! So fluffy and full of chocolate flavor 🙂
SO fluffy! Thanks Medha! 🙂
OH. MY. GOD. This frosting looks heavenly. Indeed the best chocolate frosting. So fluffy and light. Absolutely gorgeous. I am dying eat the frosting itself. Nomnom! 🙂
Aw thanks so much Anu!
This is my favourite way of making chocolate frosting! I love it so so much, especially with white chocolate…
Your frosting photos are so awesome too! And I can’t wait for that layer cake recipe 🙂
Ooh I have never tried it with white chocolate before, that sounds incredible! Thanks Amy!
This frosting looks so perfect! I love frosting, I’m totally one of those people who could eat it with a spoon! I will have to try this the next time I need a chocolate frosting. 🙂
Me too Beth, me too! 🙂
Wow, that buttercream truly looks like the best! I will have to keep it in mind for the next birthday cake I attempt 🙂
Oh I’d love you to try it Denise! Thanks for stopping by!
holy cow, just looking at these pictures has my mouth watering…. its so fluffy and light!! plus you smoothed that cake out to perfection. mmm
Oh thanks so much Beverley! 🙂
I believe you when you say this is the best chocolate frosting. It looks so fluffy and creamy!!
Thanks Jen! Super fluffy! 😉
I grabbed my spoon and I’m digging in! I make chocolate buttercream often and usually use heavy cream instead of the milk, but they both create a beautiful and smooth frosting. I want to spread this over everything!
Aw thanks Ashley! Ooh cream would be amazing! I always drink full fat milk so I just use that. Speaking of which, I miss half and half milk so much! You are lucky! 😉
Love frosting! Especially love frosting with REAL chocolate in it Jess!
My favourite frosting to ice with is buttercream, I’m going to have to test this treasure of your out ASAP!
That first picture in your post (of the frosting) kind of looks like an elephant sculpture or rhinoceros, love it!
Have a beautiful weekend xx
Me too Dannielle! I really hope you get a chance to try it. Hahaha really?! Wow, you must be more creative then I am, it just looks like a blob to me! xx