This is my all-time favorite chocolate frosting recipe, and I think that once you try it it’ll be yours, too! Just 6 ingredients needed and it will easily frost a 2 layer 8″ or 9″ cake or generously ice a dozen cupcakes!
The Best Chocolate Frosting
Maybe you’ve seen this chocolate frosting recipe around here before. It’s made quite a few appearances, on my chocolate cake, vanilla cupcakes (pictured above), and my vanilla cake (just to name a few), and finally it’s getting its own place on the blog.
Use it to top off your favorite cake or cupcake recipe, or just enjoy by the spoonful (you’ll get no judgement from me!).
What makes this the best chocolate frosting:
Well, you’re going to love it because it:
- Is richly chocolatey, without being too rich. The chocolate flavor complements whatever you put it on without being overwhelming!
- Is soft, smooth, and creamy.
- Uses less sugar than classic buttercream frosting or chocolate buttercream, perfect if you think most frosting recipes are too sugary or sweet!
- Absolutely melts in your mouth.
- Pipes beautifully, or frosts a cake smoothly.
What You Need
Here’s what you need:
- Chocolate. Real melted chocolate gives my chocolate frosting its incredible flavor and firm but fudgy consistency once it’s cooled. Chocolate bars (my preference) or chocolate chips will work fine.
- Powdered Sugar. This thickens and sweetens the frosting. One thing I love about this frosting is that it uses less sugar than your average frosting recipe.
- Butter. I use unsalted then add a pinch of salt for best flavor. Your butter should be at room temperature. If it’s too cold, small bits of the chocolate may harden as your ingredients are being combined and you will have chocolate bits in the mix rather than a smooth chocolate frosting.
- Vanilla Extract. Added for flavor! Any good chocolate is enhanced with a splash of vanilla to add depth of flavor.
- Heavy Cream. The small amount of heavy cream is the other part of what gives this chocolate frosting its smooth texture and rich flavor.
SAM’S TIP: You can use dark chocolate, semisweet, or milk chocolate for this frosting. If you want to use white chocolate, see my white chocolate buttercream recipe instead
Remember, this is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why. For the full recipe and all details, please scroll down to the bottom of the post!
How to Make Chocolate Frosting
- Chop chocolate into small pieces (only if you’re using a bar, no need to chop if you’re using chips) and melt in 15-30 second increments, stirring in-between, until completely melted. semi-sweet chocolate into same-sized pieces and place in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat the chocolate in the microwave for 30 seconds and stir. Let the chocolate cool until it’s no longer warm to the touch (but not re-solidifying) before continuing.
- Beat butter until creamy, then drizzle in melted (cooled) chocolate. Make sure the chocolate’s cooled, or the butter will melt and you’ll have a greasy chocolate frosting!
- Add the sugar in small amounts, stirring after each addition. Thoroughly stir in salt and vanilla.
- Drizzle in heavy cream and gradually turn up your mixer speed to high. Beat for 30 seconds for a light, silky smooth frosting!
Frequently Asked Questions
Make sure that your chocolate hasn’t begun to re-solidify before you add it to the butter. If this happens, small pieces may harden and you’ll have flecks of chocolate throughout the frosting. This will make piping the icing especially difficult.
If you heat the chocolate too quickly in the microwave, it could seize, giving it a grainy, rather than smooth, appearance. If this happens, toss out the chocolate and start over or your frosting will be pebbly.
While heat can make a frosting soft, melt-y, and even runny, with this recipe the culprit is usually that your chocolate was too hot. Stir it occasionally as it cools and make sure if you touch the melted chocolate or the bottom of the bowl it doesn’t feel warm to the touch.
Unfortunately I don’t recommend using cocoa powder for this recipe. If you’d like to use cocoa powder, see my chocolate buttercream instead.
More Recipes You Might Like
Enjoy!
Let’s bake together! Make sure to check out the how-to VIDEO in the recipe card!
Chocolate Frosting Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 oz (170 g) semisweet chocolate² chopped into small pieces of roughly the same size
- 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter softened to room temperature
- 2 cups (250 g) powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt³
- 2 Tablespoons (30 ml) heavy cream
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Place your chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 30 seconds. Stir well. Return chocolate to microwave and heat for another 15 seconds and stir again. Continue heating chocolate for 15 seconds, stirring after each, until chocolate is completely melted and smooth.6 oz (170 g) semisweet chocolate²
- Allow chocolate to cool for at least 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want chocolate to cool so that it is not hot to the touch, otherwise it will melt your butter and sugar and the frosting will not turn out.
- While the chocolate is cooling, place butter in a separate bowl and use a stand mixer or electric mixer to beat until creamy.1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter
- Add melted, cooled chocolate and stir well.
- Gradually add sugar, scraping down the sides and bottom of bowl occasionally so that ingredients are well combined.2 cups (250 g) powdered sugar
- Sprinkle in salt and vanilla extract, stir well.½ teaspoon vanilla extract, ¼ teaspoon salt³
- With mixer on low, gradually add heavy cream to frosting. Gradually increase speed to high and beat for 30 seconds.2 Tablespoons (30 ml) heavy cream
- Pipe or spread frosting onto prepared, cooled baked good.
Notes
¹How many cupcakes/how much cake will this frost?
This recipe will modestly cover 24 cupcakes or generously (as seen in the photos above) cover 12 cupcakes. You can also cover an 8″ or 9″ cake or a 9×13″ sheet cake. If you want to use the frosting for decorative borders around the cake, increase the recipe by 50%.²Chocolate
If you don’t have semisweet chocolate bars you can use 1 cup (170g) of semisweet chocolate chips instead.³Butter
I recommend using unsalted butter, but if you only have salted on hand you can use that, just leave out the salt in this recipe.Making in Advance
This frosting may be made in advance. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator with a piece of plastic wrap pressed firmly against the surface. When ready to use, let it come to room temperature then remove the plastic wrap and stir again to regain that smooth consistency before using.Piping Tip
I used an Ateco 848 piping tip to pipe the cupcakes seen in the photos above.Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
This recipe was originally published January 8th, 2018. While the recipe remains unchanged, I’ve updated the text of the post photos and added a how-to video.
Ivy
I made this to top a sponge cake. It was really delicious and easy to make. Super yummy too! Love it.
Luisa María Suárez Torres
Easy to prepare and delicious, super creamy but firm at the same time
Carry
Easy, delicious and ices beautifully
Jessica
Can this frosting be frozen and used a week or two later?
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Yes! That will work just fine. Enjoy 😊
Cassandra
This is my go recipe for chocolate buttercream 100% of the time. I’m not a fan of the gritty taste that Cocoa powder leaves. This recipe is perfect for me
Vin
can you use milk chocolate instead of semisweet? if yes will it stay at room temperature for a few hours
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Vin! It will be sweeter, but it will work. And yes, it will be fine for a few hours at room temp. 😊
Gary
just made this, and it looks and tastes great
Priya
Hi Sam, can I use compound chocolate instead of baking chocolate?
Sam
Hi Priya! I would be hesitant to use it here. I’m not sure that it won’t turn out but I’m not sure how the final flavor will turn out. 🙂
JJ
I tried this and it came out very salty. I’m baffled as to how. I am definitely using unsalted butter and only added the 1/4 tsp of salt. I’m so confused…
Sam
Hi JJ! I’m confused too, 1/4 teaspoon of salt should not make it salty if you are using unsalted butter🤔
JJ
It’s a mystery, oh well. I fixed it by just adding another stick of butter, TBS of heavy whipping cream, some powdered sugar and chocolate. Turned out great!
Tiffany
Smoothest easiest spreading icing I’ve ever made. And tastes great.
Sam
Thank you, Tiffany! I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed it! 🙂
Ilona
Ganache icing… make this when I have left over heavy cream ganache… No, will not work with water ganache.
Therese Graber
Just made this topping a zucchini cake. Topped with chocolate curls. Easy and velvety. Thanks for recipe.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
That sounds delicious, Therese! Thanks for using our recipe 🩷
Sabrina
This is my new favorite frosting. I have a recipe for a more fudgey frosting from my mom I don’t use for tiered cakes, so I usually settle on a random internet recipe. They’re never quite want I want, so I don’t make them again. I’m SO glad I stumbled upon this one. Delicious, easy to spread, tastes great next day too. Writing it on a card to keep in my personal recipes.
I will be referring people to you for this recipe. YUM.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We are so happy you enjoyed it, Sabrina! Thanks for coming back to comment 😊
Christina
Hi Sam 🙂
I was just wondering how long this frosting is stable at room temperature? Is it okay to be out if the fridge for several hours?
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Christina! This frosting is stable for about 2 days at room temperature 😊
Ilona
4 days in a cool area. I do the 4 day rule for almost all foods, except those vacuum sealed.
Mickey
I love this frosting and have made it many times. We are now having a heat wave and I just made your best chocolate cake (actually 2 – 9×13 layers) for my grandson’s birthday party tomorrow. It’s 92 degrees here today so I’m wondering if this frosting will melt. Do you have a better suggestion for what to use?
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Mickey! Unfortunately in that heat, pretty much every icing is going to melt.🙁 It’s best to keep the cake indoors or in the fridge if necessary. We hope your grandson has a wonderful birthday!
Toni
Once you try this you will never go back to cocoa! It’s just more decadent without being over the top!
Diana
hi,
I don’t have any heavy cream, can.i.substitute it with buttermilk or wholemeal instead?
regards
Diana
Sam
Hi Diana! Whole milk will work, just start with a little bit less since it’s a little thinner. 🙂
Lisa Gretz
Hi, I was looking for a quick, late night frosting for a cake and ran across this recipe. I was pleasantly surprised at the result, smoothe, tasty and easy. I will definitely be using this again and again. Thank you for a great recipe.