One Bowl Milk Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

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Easy recipe for the best milk chocolate buttercream frosting, perfect for decorating or piping onto cake and cupcakes. Fluffy, creamy, and silky smooth!

There's nothing quite like a swirl of chocolate buttercream frosting to top off a piece of cake or a cupcake. Better yet, pair it up with marble cake, and you've got the best of both worlds.

This homemade chocolate icing is very creamy, and it's the perfect fluffy frosting for cupcakes. It's very silky, and works really well as a chocolate frosting for piping onto cupcakes or for cake decorating.

In fact, I use this chocolate frosting recipe in my Minecraft grass block cake recipe.

Being a rich buttercream frosting, a little bit goes a long way. Combine its buttery flavor with chocolate and you've got the makings of a heavenly chocolate buttercream icing for chocolate lovers.

This is one recipe where I might contend with my kids as to who gets to lick the beaters.

More of my favorite buttercream recipes include this vanilla buttercream frosting recipe and butterbeer buttercream frosting.

WHERE CAN I FIND THE ACTUAL RECIPE CARD?

If you’d rather skip all of my buttercream tips, important info for this recipe, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to the recipe – just scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll find a printable recipe card with a longer how to video.

swirled chocolate frosting for piping on yellow cake cupcakes on white marble countertop

INGREDIENTS YOU'LL NEED:

  • Salted butter
  • Vanilla extract
  • Almond extract – While you can make chocolate frosting without almond extract, I wouldn't recommend it. This extract gives an added pop of flavor and helps the chocolate flavor to really stand out.
  • Heavy whipping cream
  • Powdered sugar
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder – I use regular milk chocolate cocoa, but you can make a dark chocolate buttercream with dark cocoa.

Keep in mind, all of the ingredient amounts you’ll need are in the printable recipe card below.

KITCHEN TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT YOU'LL NEED:

Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer with Mixing Bowl – You can definitely mix homemade frosting by hand, but a mixer enables you to get that silky smooth texture.

Measuring Spoons and Measuring Cups

Spatula

Cake Decorating Kit with Tips and Pastry Bags – if you want to decorate a cake or cupcakes.

Cake Turntable with Icing Spatula and Icing Smoother – A turntable really makes it easier to frost a round cake, because you can turn as you go.

KitchenAid mixer whisk with homemade chocolate icing

HOW TO MAKE CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Before making any type of buttercream frosting, you want to first soften the butter.

You can do this by letting it set out for a little bit before cooking, or you can pop it in the microwave for a few seconds (but try not to let it melt).

Now to mix up chocolate buttercream with cocoa powder…

  1. Mix together the softened butter, vanilla extract, and almond extract.
  2. Then add in the heavy whipping cream and mix well.
  3. Add in the powdered sugar and cocoa powder, and let the mixer work its magic for 2 to 3 minutes.
  4. You’ll end up with a very smooth, creamy, chocolate buttercream frosting that’s perfect for decorating cakes, piping onto cupcakes, and more.
steps for how to make chocolate buttercream frosting in mint green mixing bowl: 1. mixing together softened butter, vanilla extract, and almond extract; 2. mixing in heavy whipping cream; 3. adding in powdered sugar and cocoa powder; and 4. smooth, creamy, chocolate buttercream frosting

WHAT TASTES BEST WITH CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM?

Homemade yellow cake or yellow cake cupcakes definitely taste delicious with chocolate icing.

As do chocolate cake and fluffy chocolate cupcakes. Chocolate on chocolate is absolutely delicious.

swirls of homemade chocolate buttercream with cocoa powder on cupcakes

WHY NOT USE SHORTENING INSTEAD OF BUTTER?

Mainly because I'm not a huge fan of shortening, and I'd rather use butter. I've never been a fan of shortening based buttercream because I always feel like there's something missing in the taste of it.

Using salted butter will create a very flavorful frosting; but if you’d rather not have all of that buttery flavor, you can cut the butter in half and substitute shortening instead.

While shortening does add stability to the recipe, heavy whipping cream can do the same thing.

WHY SHOULD I USE SALTED BUTTER?

I do recommend using salted butter for this recipe, because the salt in the butter adds a richness and a better flavor to your buttercream than unsalted would.

And it’s so much easier to use salted butter over trying to add salt to frosting, especially when you're trying to get a good consistency and texture without any grit.

swirled chocolate buttercream icing on top of a yellow cupcake

DOES BUTTERCREAM FROSTING NEED TO BE REFRIGERATED?

We usually let our cupcakes or cakes with buttercream icing sit out of the fridge for 2-3 days max.

However, if you were to add cream cheese to your frosting, then it would need to be refrigerated right away.

CAN I FREEZE MILK CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING?

Yes, you can! In fact, I always have leftover icing, so I usually throw it in the freezer to keep it for next time.

Freezing won’t hurt the texture, consistency, or flavor of your frosting. Just be sure to store it in an airtight container, so it won't get freezer burn.

bite taken out of yellow cake cupcake frosted with homemade chocolate frosting

HOW CAN I ADD TO THIS BUTTERCREAM ICING RECIPE?

Here are a few more ways you can change up this buttercream frosting recipe…

  • Add a flavored extract for additional flavor… Think maplecaramelpeppermint, etc.
  • If you don’t like the buttery flavor of the icing, you can substitute the same amount of shortening for half the butter.
  • You can use milk instead of heavy whipping cream, but keep in mind, you may end up with a softer icing, especially at room temperature. A softer icing may not work as well for piping and decorating; and heavy cream adds stability.

IF YOU LOVE THIS HOMEMADE CHOCOLATE ICING, TRY SOME OF OUR OTHER FROSTING FAVORITES:

GET THE PRINTABLE FROSTING RECIPE

If you love this chocolate buttercream recipe as much as I do, please write a 5 star review, and help me share the recipe on Facebook and Pinterest!

double image with top image of chocolate frosting swirled on yellow cupcake, middle text of Chocolate Buttercream Frosting from AdventuresofMel.com, and bottom image of chocolate frosting on KitchenAid mixer whisk

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mixing up chocolate buttercream frosting with KitchenAid mixing whisk

One Bowl Milk Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

Easy recipe for the best milk chocolate buttercream frosting, perfect for decorating or piping onto cake and cupcakes. Fluffy, creamy, and silky smooth!
4.40 from 41 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Icing & Frosting
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 24
Calories: 144kcal
Author: Mel Lockcuff

Equipment

  • IMUSA USA Hand Mixer with Case 5-Speed
  • Rorence Stainless Steel Non-Slip Mixing Bowls With Pour Spout, Handle and Lid, Nesting Set of 3
  • GLOUE Heat-Resistant Baking Spoon & Spatulas – Ergonomic Easy-to-Clean Seamless One-Piece Design – Nonstick – Dishwasher Safe 
  • Kootek 42 Pieces Cake Decorating Kits Supplies with 36 Numbered Icing Tips, 2 Silicone Pastry Bags, 2 Flower Nails, 2 Reusable Plastic Couplers Baking Frosting Tools Set for Cupcakes Cookies
  • Kootek 11 Inch Rotating Cake Turntable, Turns Smoothly Revolving Cake Stand White Cake Decorating Kit Display Stand Baking Tools Accessories Supplies for Decoration
  • Icing Spatula, U-Taste Offset Spatula Set with 6″, 8″, 10″ Blade, 18/0 Stainless Steel with Premium PP Plastic Handle Angled Cake Decorating Frosting Spatula Set of 3

Ingredients

  • 1 cup salted butter* softened*
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
  • 3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream*
  • 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Instructions

  • Mix together the softened butter, vanilla extract, and almond extract.
  • Then add in the heavy whipping cream and mix well.
  • Add in the powdered sugar and cocoa powder, and mix everything together for 2 to 3 minutes, mixing well.
  • You'll end up with a very smooth, creamy, chocolate buttercream frosting that's perfect for cake decorating, piping onto cupcakes, and more. Not to mention, it tastes really delicious.

Notes

*If you don't like the buttery flavor of the icing, you can substitute shortening for half the butter. I do recommend using salted butter for this recipe, because the salt in the butter adds a richness and a better flavor to your buttercream than unsalted would. And it’s so much easier to use salted butter over trying to add salt to frosting, especially when you're trying to get a good consistency and texture without any grit.
*You can soften butter by letting it sit out for a little bit before mixing up the frosting, or you can pop it in the microwave for a few seconds (but try not to let it melt).
*You can use milk instead of heavy whipping cream, but keep in mind, you may end up with a softer icing, especially at room temperature. A softer icing may not work as well for piping and decorating, because heavy cream adds stability.
Does buttercream frosting need to be refrigerated?
We usually let our cupcakes or cakes with buttercream icing sit out of the fridge for 2-3 days max. However, if you were to add cream cheese to your frosting, then it would need to be kept in the refrigerator.
Can I freeze milk chocolate buttercream frosting?
Yes, you can! In fact, I always have leftover icing, so I usually throw it in the freezer to keep it for next time. Freezing won’t hurt the texture, consistency, or flavor of your frosting. Just be sure to store it in an airtight container, so it won't get freezer burn.
WHAT TASTES BEST WITH CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM?
Homemade yellow cake or yellow cake cupcakes definitely taste delicious with chocolate icing. As do chocolate cake and fluffy chocolate cupcakes. Chocolate on chocolate is absolutely delicious.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 144kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 62mg | Sugar: 16g
Tried this Recipe? Tag us Today!Mention @mellockcuff or tag #aomrecipes!

35 thoughts on “One Bowl Milk Chocolate Buttercream Frosting”

  1. Very good 😌 and so creamy and milk chocolate is what I go for making cupcakes and chocolate cakes it was delicious 😋

    Reply
  2. Hi, thanks for your recipe.

    Just 3 CUPS os powder sugar isn’t it too much???? I mean with that seems to have an only sweet taste -___-!

    Reply
    • Sami, thanks fo stopping by! How much powdered sugar you use is crucial to the texture of the frosting. If too little is used, your frosting will be runny. It does more than just sweeten the icing. I hope this helps.

      Reply
  3. I made this frosting following the recipe, It is DELICIOUS and easy. I had some left over in the fridge for over a week and it was fine, my daughter put it on cookies daily for her snack.(yes she also loved it cold)
    Why do people who DO NOT follow a recipe, think they need to review something they haven’t tried ? sorry for my personal gripe
    This is a great recipe, thank you for posting it. Also my first review ever!

    Reply

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