Homemade chocolate frosting makes a delicious frosting recipe for birthday cakes, chocolate cupcakes, chocolate chip cookies, and so many more sweet treats! It’s rich and creamy, and is super easy to whip up. It pipes beautifully, and is the perfect way to finish off all of your birthday cupcakes. This simple recipe will become a favorite!
Why make your own chocolate frosting?
- First of all, there’s just something about rich and buttery chocolate frosting that is perfect when paired with a vanilla or dark chocolate cake.
- It’s smooth, creamy and not-too-dark.
- You won’t waste your ingredients by knowing exactly how much frosting this recipe produces. It will frost an 1-8 or 9 inch layered cake, or 24 cupcakes. In order to frost a double layered 9 inch cake, with plenty of frosting in between the layers, simply double the recipe!
- No more unhealthy store bought frosting! I gave up on canned frosting a while ago because of many questionable ingredients and oils used there instead of real butter. I felt so guilty feeding my child those questionable ingredients. Making this chocolate frosting puts you in control of what you are feeding your family! Butter is healthy, nutritious and is such a better alternative to all those unhealthy oils in the supermarket frostings!
But when I don’t feel like making cupcakes, I simply like to spread a thin layer on a cookie or a graham cracker. And what a mighty delicious sweet treat it is! This is my go-to frosting recipe, and in my opinion, is the BEST Chocolate Frosting ever! I’ve been making it for years so I’m surprised I haven’t shared it before!
How to achieve smooth chocolate frosting
- Make sure to melt your butter on the stove and let it harden as it cools. Alternatively, you can also soften your butter at room temperature by taking it out of the fridge the night before.
Should I use salted butter?
- Either salted or unsalted butter will do. I used unsalted butter, but had to add 1/2 teaspoon of salt to enhance the chocolate flavor.
- If you use salted butter in your frosting recipe, do not add any salt.
What kind of cocoa powder should I use?
- I used unsweetened cocoa powder in this chocolate frosting recipe.
How much sugar is too much?
There are many recipes that add 5 cups and even 8 cups of powdered sugar to the homemade chocolate frosting recipe. In my opinion it’s going way overboard on your sugar cravings. I want to spare my pancreas and liver. So I can assure you that I successfully made this recipe with 3 cups of powdered sugar and it was perfect! I also used 2 cups once and did not see any difference in texture and appearance. Less sugar here is more!
How to store creamy chocolate frosting
- Store in the airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Or, store your homemade chocolate frosting in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
- You can also freeze the frosting for up to a month.
Our family and friends now use it as their ‘favorite frosting!’ I just wanted to share it with my chocolate friends everywhere! Let’s do it!
First we will soften our butter and whip it slightly.
Next, let’s add milk, vanilla, salt (if using unsalted butter) and cocoa powder. Make sure to use a sifter when adding cocoa to avoid clumps. 
Lastly, add powdered sugar by sifting it into the bowl.
You are minutes away from the best chocolate frosting recipe!
Enjoy!
Best Chocolate Frosting
Ingredients
- 1 cup softened butter
- 1/3 cup whole milk
- 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 2/3 cup cocoa powder sifted
- 3 cups powdered sugar sifted
Instructions
- Soften butter by either melting it and cooling it until slightly hardened or taking it out of the fridge the night before.
- Add butter to a large bowl and mix with milk, vanilla and salt. Next add cocoa powder by sifting it and whip with a whisk or electric mixer together until smooth. Next stir in powdered sugar by sifting it into the mixture. Scrape sides and whip again until light, fluffy and smooth, 1-2 minutes.
- This recipe frosts one 9 or 8 inch cake or 24 cupcakes. In order to frost a double layered 9 inch cake, simply make two batches of this recipe, or double the recipe!
This is the best chocolate frosting I’ve ever had! I use it all the time now. Thank you for sharing..
I didn’t have whole milk but it still turned out great! This is now my go to!
Is icing sugar and powered sugar the sugar?
Yes, icing or powdered sugar is the same thing. You can use either one for this recipe
Is it vanilla Essence or extract
It’s vanilla extract
So if I’m using salted butter, should I eliminate the 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt? Thank you.
Yes!
Can I use almond milk instead
Almond milk doesn’t have enough fat content to hold the frosting together. Unfortunately, it won’t work. Coconut cream mixed with almond milk will work together.
Tried this frosting today and It was very delicious! I also cut down on the sugar to 2.25 – 2.5 cups.
I’m glad it worked with less sugar. I recently made the same frosting with 2 cups.
Followed the recipe as is. Came out great – plenty for an 8” layer cake. We’ll see when the “judges” take a bite! Ok come back with their comments!
I hope the judges approved!
I think 1/3 milk was too much, made the frosting a little runny., so had to put in a lot of sugar to thicken it out by than it became way too sweet.
I thought it was the perfect texture and delicious. I only used two cups of powdered sugar. All other ingredients were as directed. So good!