Chocolate Buttercream Frosting Recipe

This simple chocolate buttercream frosting recipe is a variation on an easy one bowl buttercream frosting. Buttercream frosting can be used to fill and frost cake layers and frost cupcakes.

Buttercream frosting is a classic frosting that almost everyone is familiar with but some do have a little trouble making it correctly.

The secret to making a good buttercream frosting is to beat it long enough, to incorporate and dissolve all the ingredients into the butter creating a fluffy and creamy texture and this takes a little time and effort.

You should start with a butter that has been softened at room temperature for at least 3- 4 hours for the best result. You should not use melted butter as this will just create a sloppy mess.

Easy Buttercream Frosting Recipe

1 cup of softened salted butter
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
5-6 cups of sifted icing sugar (powdered sugar)
6 tablespoons of heavy cream

Using an electric mixer beat the softened butter until it becomes light a fluffy in texture (can take over 5 minutes to achieve). Stop the mixer often to scrap down the sides and bottom of the bowl.

Add the vanilla extract and 1 cup of icing sugar and continue to beat for 2 minutes.

Alternately add the remaining icing sugar and 4 tablespoons of cream beat very well.

Once you have the desired consistency continue to beat the frosting for 5 minutes more until it is very fluffy.

As you use the frosting you may have to add the remaining 2 tablespoons of cream to keep the consistency smooth.

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting Recipe

To make chocolate buttercream use the above recipe but add 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the icing sugar before sifting.

Melt 85g (3oz) of dark chocolate and allow to cool for about 15 minutes at room temperature.

Add the melted chocolate with the cream and beat frosting until light and fluffy.

 

 

 

Coconut Buttercream Frosting Recipe

To make coconut frosting use coconut cream instead of cream. Substitute 1 teaspoon coconut extract for the vanilla extract. You can also stir in 1/2 cup of flaked (desiccated) coconut to the frosting - lightly toast and cool the coconut before adding for a more intense flavor.