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Chocolate buttercream frosting
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5 from 7 votes

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

Rich and velvety chocolate buttercream frosting with heaps of chocolate flavor. Ideal to spread on cakes or to pipe onto cupcakes.
Prep Time10 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian
Servings: 12
Calories: 290kcal
Author: Alison

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Add softened butter to the bowl of your stand mixer and starting at slow speed gradually increase speed and beat until smooth and pale in color.
  • Add the powdered sugar and cocoa powder, vanilla extract, milk and instant espresso powder and starting at slow speed and gradually increasing speed beat for a few minutes until very fluffy and smooth.
  • If it ends up too thin, then add ¼ cup more powdered sugar.

Video

Notes

  1. Butter can be either unsalted or lightly salted. I prefer lightly salted as it balances out the sweetness nicely. If you're using unsalted butter though, then you can just add ¼ tsp salt. 
  2. Powdered sugar is also called Icing Sugar.
  3. Instant espresso powder just deepens the chocolate flavor, you don't taste coffee in your final result. However it is optional and you can leave it out if you prefer not to use it. 
  4. It's best to use the buttercream while it's at room temperature for spreading or piping. If it's been in the fridge, then let it come back to room temperature on the counter and then beat it again before using. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1Serve | Calories: 290kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 140mg | Potassium: 96mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 35g | Vitamin A: 485IU | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg