Our Classic Chocolate Buttercream Frosting Recipe

Sometimes there’s just nothing better than homemade chocolate buttercream! Like our traditional Best Homemade Vanilla Buttercream Frosting, this light and fluffy chocolate buttercream frosting can be easily adapted for decorating or spreading. Perfect for birthday cakes, layer cakes, cupcakes, cookies and other treats, this homemade chocolate frosting offers a sweet and delicious finish.

Add more cocoa for a richer chocolate flavor or use cold brewed coffee instead of milk for an amazing mocha frosting. This easy chocolate frosting recipe can be prepared to a stiff, medium or thin consistency for all your decorating needs. Take a look below for more hints and tips about how to make chocolate buttercream frosting using our favorite recipe and then start frosting some tasty treats ASAP!

Chocolate Buttercream Troubleshooting

How much frosting does this recipe make?

This recipe makes 3 cups of frosting and is enough to frost 24 cupcakes.

Finding the right consistency

For thin consistency, add 3-4 tablespoons of light corn syrup, water, or milk. Read our buttercream frosting consistency guide for more.

Can this recipe be modified?

Yes! Our classic chocolate buttercream recipe can be adjusted to create other delicious chocolatey buttercreams like: 

• Chocolate Mocha Frosting: Substitute cold brewed strong coffee for milk in the chocolate buttercream recipe.
• Dark Chocolate Frosting: Add an additional 1/4 cup of cocoa powder (or one additional 1 oz. square unsweetened melted baking chocolate ) and 1 additional tablespoon of milk to the chocolate buttercream frosting recipe.

How should this recipe be stored?

For best results, keep the frosting bowl in the refrigerator when not in use. Refrigerated in an airtight container, this frosting can be stored for up to 2 weeks. Bring the frosting back to room temperature and re-whip the buttercream using a mixer before using. Check out our post on how to store buttercream frosting for more info.