Is there anything better than light, fluffy, rich and flavorful Chocolate Buttercream Frosting? No. The answer is no. This Whipped Chocolate Buttercream is a baker’s dream! I love this recipe on my Birthday Cake recipe and even Homemade Brownies!
Whipped Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
I have this recipe on my blog way over here, but it gets lost next to that beautiful marble cake deliciousness, so I decided to make sure this fantastic recipe got its turn in the spotlight. This Chocolate Buttercream is a rich, dark, chocolate version of American Buttercream.
Unsalted vs. Salted Butter
I prefer to use unsalted butter in this recipe as I find unsalted butter to be fresher tasting and a consistent in the water ratio. When you are aiming for perfect consistency, using a consistent product is important. You can use salted butter in a pinch and I would also keep the salt in this recipe the same amount.
How to Make Chocolate Buttercream
Because this recipe is designed for cakes specifically (although I find it works on many different desserts!) I like to make sure it is as smooth and creamy as possible. Whip the ingredients on high in a stand mixer for 3-5 minutes. Not only does this eliminate lumps and lighten the color of the buttercream slightly, but it also produces the fluffiest frosting.
Can I Use a Hand-Held Mixer?
Yes, you will just want to make sure you use it on the highest setting and mix for a little longer. With a stand mixer, I usually go 3-5 minutes, you’ll want at least 5 minutes with your hand-held.
How to Crumb Coat
This frosting is so smooth and easy to work that it is perfect for crumb coating. What is a crumb coat exactly? Simply put, it’s a layer of frosting that is applied to layer cakes before the final coat of frosting. It does what the same says, which is keeping the crumbs coated. It is also a fabulous step if you need to chill your cake before decorating or freezing as it locks in moisture.
How to Store Buttercream
It does need to be refrigerated. Place it in an airtight container or store it right inside piping bags. Be sure to let buttercream come to room temperature before using it. I often re-whip buttercream before using it as well.
Whipped Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups (340 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 4 cups (500 g) confectioners sugar
- ¾ cup (88.5 g) cocoa powder
- 4 tablespoons (60 ml) heavy whipping cream
- 2 teaspoons (10 ml) vanilla extract
- 1 pinch table salt
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment, whisk butter and sugar on medium-high speed until very pale and fluffy or about five minutes. Be sure to stop at least once and scrape the bowl.
- With the mixer off, add in cocoa powder, vanilla and salt.
- Turn mixer on low and blend for about 30 seconds.
- One tablespoon at a time add in heavy cream.
- Once all cream has been added and mixture is mostly combined, turn off the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl.
- Now turn the mixer onto medium-high to high and whisk for 3-5 minutes or until mixture is lighter and fluffier. The frosting will be shiny and seem to have many large air bubbles throughout and this is exactly what we are going for. (You can smooth those out on the cake if so desired.)
Did you make this recipe?
Thank you for making my recipe! You took pictures, right? Well go ahead and post them on Instagram! Be sure to mention me @iambaker and use the hashtag #YouAreBaker.
Fantastic and delicious frosting. Super easy to make (made it with your yellow cake mix) and it all was so perfect and light. I really enjoyed the lightness of the frosting too since I am a whipped cream frosting type of person. I have added this to my recipe book. thanks!
Came out beautifully! Smooth and rich. Will be a go to for me!!
About how much frosting does this recipe yield?
Too much for 24 piped cupcakes…. Was yummy though.
Did a 3 layer cake tonight and it easily frosted the entire cake with no leftovers.
Amanda, I am very pleased with this frosting. Not overly sweet, just right. I did dissolve 2 Tb of instant coffee in the vanilla…so yum!
I’ll post a picture on your Facebook page. (I don’t do Instagram)
Thank you for a lovely recipe!
Oh, I guess I can’t post a picture. Oh well, you can take my word for it.
Love this recipe! flavor and texture are perfect and its super easy. would definitely recommend 🙂
This was a good recipe – I loved the consistency of the chocolate buttercream. But it was a bit too sweet – and I’m a sweets eater so I don’t normally think something is too sweet! I will definitely make it again but will tweak it a bit to less sweet and a tad more chocolatey!
Cake and frosting were delicious! I will definitely make this again.
Easy to put together, I love the idea of the cake in a jar. Lol
This was just what I was looking for in a basic yellow cake recipe, and not one out of a box. I’m a scratch it kinda gal, and this cake is perfect.
This one is going in the ol’ written cook book in the cuboard aka the birth of my baking genius.
Thank you for sharing,
And we like it sweet!
Is it unsweetened cocoa?Thank you.It sounds delicious