Chocolate Buttercream

Name: Chocolate Buttercream
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 4 .25 cups
Ingredients: 1.5 cups unsalted butter; 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder; 4.5 cups powdered sugar; ¼ cup Half & Half; 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract; ½ teaspoon espresso powder; ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

User Reviews

4.4

30 reviews

Good

Prep Time
10 mins
Total Time
10 mins
Servings
4 .25 cups
Calories
200 kcal
Course
Dessert
Cuisine
American

Chocolate Buttercream

Iris Warren

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Made with just a few ingredients in under 10 minutes, this Chocolate Buttercream is rich and chocolatey, with a smooth and creamy texture. Perfect for topping cupcakes, cakes, and more. It's my absolute favorite chocolate buttercream!

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Ingredients

Servings

1.5 cups unsalted butter at room temperature
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder sifted if especially lumpy
4.5 cups powdered sugar sifted if especially lumpy
¼ cup Half & Half
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
½ teaspoon espresso powder
¼ teaspoon kosher salt

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Instructions

Add the butter and cocoa powder to the bowl of a stand mixer that's fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix on lowest speed for a few seconds, just to combine, and then scrape down the bowl. Beat on low speed for 1 minute. Scrape down the bowl very well.
Add half the powdered sugar and half of the half & half, plus the vanilla, espresso powder, and salt. Mix on lowest speed for a few seconds to incorporate. Then beat on low speed for 1 minute more.
Add remaining powdered sugar and half & half. Mix on lowest speed for a few seconds to incorporate. Then beat on low speed for 1 minute more. If you like a fluffy buttercream, then beat on high for 3 to 5 minutes more.

Notes

Quantity: You could easily frost 24 cupcakes with this recipe. To frost extra generously, like the cupcakes in my photos, this recipe will frost 16 to 18 cupcakes (I used a Wilton 4B piping tip). This amount also very generously frosts a 9" x 13" cake. Or a double layer cake with a less generous amount of frosting.
To get rid of air bubbles: Sometimes I want a light, fluffy frosting, and sometimes I want it silky smooth. For fluffiness, beat the buttercream on high for 3 to 5 minutes at the end. And if you want to minimize air bubbles for a smoother frosting, refer to the section in this post titled "How to get ride of air bubbles".

Nutrition Information

Show Details

Serving 1 Calories 200kcal (10%) Carbohydrates 23g (8%) Protein 1g (2%) Fat 12g (18%) Saturated Fat 7g (35%) Polyunsaturated Fat 4g Cholesterol 31mg (10%) Sodium 17mg (1%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 20g (40%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4.25 cups

Amount Per Serving

Calories 200 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving	1
Calories	200kcal	10%
Carbohydrates	23g	8%
Protein	1g	2%
Fat	12g	18%
Saturated Fat	7g	35%
Polyunsaturated Fat	4g	24%
Cholesterol	31mg	10%
Sodium	17mg	1%
Fiber	1g	4%
Sugar	20g	40%