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Home » Blog » Recipes

Whipped Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

Updated: Jun 6, 2022 · Published: May 6, 2021 by Kara · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads

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This fluffy whipped chocolate buttercream frosting is a light and whipped version of traditional chocolate American buttercream. It’s perfect for cupcakes, fillings and cakes.

Jump to Recipe

Previously, I added a recipe on the blog for whipped vanilla buttercream and I loved that one so much, I thought I’d make a chocolate version.

piping chocolate icing

This stuff is so good, it’s hard not to just stand here and eat it straight from the bowl.

This will definitely be a family favorite.

whipped chocolate buttercream graphic with text

Hey there! Before you scroll, there’s lot’s of important stuff in the post!
including the FAQ section, which may answer any questions you might have about this recipe. Enjoy!

Jump to:
  • Ingredient Notes:
  • Mixing method:
  • Tips & FAQs:
  • Supplies & tools:
  • Recipe
  • Other posts you might like:

This buttercream tastes like a chocolate mousse, but it’s a little sturdier than that.

It’s amazing on both cakes and cupcakes and works as a topping or a filling.

fluffy chocolate frosting on a cupcake

Now, let’s talk a little bit about just some of the ingredients for this recipe. (The entire ingredient list is in the recipe card lower in this post.)

Ingredient Notes:

Unsalted Butter: You’ll want to use unsalted real butter for this recipe. You don’t want to use margarine.

You’ll also want to make sure that you set the butter out at least an hour before you start making this buttercream as it needs to be room temperature.

Make sure and not microwave it though.

Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: This adds a powerful chocolate punch. Make sure to use unsweetened cocoa powder though and not the cocoa drink mix.

Confectioner’s Sugar: This is what will give the buttercream sweetness and will stabilize it.

Vanilla Extract: Yes it’s still a good idea to add vanilla into chocolate buttercream. It only improves it.

Heavy Cream (Whipping Cream): This is what makes everything fluffy and whipped. Make sure you’re not using whipped cream though as that’s not the same thing. (We’ll get into this more in the FAQ section down below.)

*The recipe card close to the end of this post will go into all the ingredients and amounts.

Graphic with VIP library password.
top view of chocolate icing

Mixing method:

The mixing method for this buttercream isn’t complicated. The main thing to note is that you’ll add the heavy cream in two parts and you’ll want to make sure you whip it for the amount of time called for in the recipe card.

*The recipe card below will show all the steps.

Tips & FAQs:

Can I use margarine instead of butter?

No, it’s best to use real butter for this recipe.

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

You can, but you just can’t predict how salty it will be. If that’s all you have though, you can use it and just omit the pinch of salt called for in the recipe.

Make sure to use unsweetened cocoa powder.

You don’t want to use cocoa drink mix.

Do I have to sift the confectioner’s sugar?

You don’t have to, but it really helps make this buttercream extra light and fluffy.

Can I use whipped cream or Cool Whip instead of the heavy cream or whipping cream?

No, whipped cream is different than heavy cream or whipping cream. You want to use heavy cream for this recipe (also sometimes called whipping cream.)

If you use whipped cream (Cool Whip), that is something different and the recipe will not turn out correctly. (Make sure to watch the video in the recipe card as it will show what heavy cream is.)

Make sure to add the cream in two parts.

The instructions and video will explain this, but it’s best to add it in two parts, so your buttercream doesn’t separate on you.

Do I have to whip it for a full five minutes?

Yes, you want to whip it on high for the full five minutes as that is what makes it light and fluffy. If you don’t whip it that high and that long, then the buttercream will be too liquidy.

Do I have to use a stand mixer? Can I use a hand mixer?

Yes, you can certainly use a hand mixer.

mixer with chocolate buttercream

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Supplies & tools:

  • Kitchenaid Mixer or Hand Mixer
  • Flex Edge Beater Attachment if using a Kitchenaid
  • Silicone Spatulas
  • Sifter

Ok let’s get to the recipe!

Note About Recipe Measurements: I write recipes using volume (cups) measurements because here in the U.S., this is what people are more familiar with and I don’t want anyone to feel intimidated when baking. For metric/weight measurements, click the ‘metric’ button under the ingredients in the recipe card below. The weights are converted by a program, not me, and it’s just a best guess. I can’t guarantee that weighing the ingredients will produce the exact same results, since I test recipes using volume measurements.

Recipe

chocolate whipped buttercream

Whipped Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

A light and whipped chocolate American buttercream frosting. Perfect for cupcakes, fillings and to top cakes.
4.70 from 20 votes
Print Pin SaveSaved! Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: whipped chocolate buttercream frosting
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Servings: 24 cupcakes
Calories: 210kcal
Author: Kara @I Scream for Buttercream

Ingredients

  • 1 œ cups unsalted butter, room temperature (3 sticks)
  • œ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 4 cups confectioners sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or vanilla bean paste)
  • pinch of salt
  • Ÿ cup heavy cream (sometimes called whipping cream
NOT cool whip or ‘whipped’ cream)
US Customary – Metric
Have questions?Check out the Tips & FAQ section or the video in the post!
Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

  • Add the room temperature butter and the cocoa to a mixing bowl and mix with an electric mixer on medium until creamy. (Use a paddle attachment if you’re using a stand mixer. If you don’t have a stand mixer, just use a regular handheld mixer and mix it very well until smooth and creamy.)
  • Sift the confectioner’s sugar and add to the butter and cocoa mixture, then add in the vanilla, salt and half of the heavy cream.
  • Mix on medium until creamy and scrape down the sides and the bottom of the bowl.
  • Add the second half of the heavy cream and mix again, then scrape down the sides of the bowl.
  • Turn your mixer on high and whip for about 5 minutes until the buttercream is light and fluffy.
  • Add to a cooled cake or cupcakes. Can be used as a filling for cakes or cupcakes as well.

Video

Notes

This buttercream makes enough to cover about 24 cupcakes as a light frosting or it can fill about 36 cupcakes. If you prefer a large amount of buttercream on your layer cakes though, you may want to make a recipe and a half.
This is a light buttercream, so make sure your cake or cupcakes are cool when you add the buttercream and it should be stored in the fridge.
Nutritional values are an estimate.
Make sure to check out the TIPS & FAQs for this recipe in the blog post, which may answer questions about substitutions.
*This recipe card may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition

Calories: 210kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 5mg | Potassium: 37mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 464IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg
Some recipes have difficulty levels.Check out what they mean here: Difficulty Levels Explained
Baking at higher elevation?Adjustments will need to be made for that. This website does not specialize in higher elevation baking. Please take time to do your research on what adjustments should be made.
DisclaimersTo see food safety, allergy & nutrition disclaimers, go here: Disclaimers

How to Share

I’d love for you to share this recipe link or tag it, but please do not share screenshots or copy/paste the recipe to social media as the content and photographs are copyright protected and we (bloggers) work really hard on our content. Sharing the link, tagging us on socials and pinning it is super appreciated though!

Other posts you might like:

  • Whipped Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
  • Almost Homemade Cheater Buttercream Frosting
  • Double Chocolate Buttercream

Don’t forget to pin it below!

whipped frosting pin graphic
close up of frosting on a chocolate cupcake

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    Filed Under: Frostings/Fillings, Recipes Tagged With: birthday cakes, buttercream, buttercream tutorials, chocolate

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Wanda Popr

      May 07, 2021 at 10:35 am

      Looks delicious., can’t wait to try it.

      Reply
    2. Jasmin

      September 17, 2021 at 3:50 pm

      5 stars
      So delicious! This is the frosting my dreams are made of!
      Does this Need to be refrigerated?

      Reply
      • Kara Jane

        September 17, 2021 at 6:58 pm

        Yay! So glad you like it! I do refrigerate this one because it has so much cream in it. It will firm up a bit in the fridge, but just set it out a bit before serving to allow it to come closer to room temp.

        Reply
    3. Constance Ripp

      January 08, 2022 at 9:38 pm

      5 stars
      OMG! This is a wonderful Cocoa Buttercream! I love detailed instructions and discussions on why it works. I make many cakes and have for too many years to think about. A good chocolate buttercream is essential! You certainly nailed this one! I forwarded the recipe to my sister I liked it so very much! It is creamy, not sickly sweet and has body that I am certain will be perfect for piping. I baked your Chocolate cake recipe and used this frosting. Tomorrow for Sunday dinner we will be in heaven! There isn’t anything better than a recipe that works!

      Reply
      • Kara Jane

        January 09, 2022 at 10:14 am

        Wonderful! So glad you love this one
it’s one of my favorites. 🙂

        Reply
    4. Britt

      February 18, 2023 at 3:40 pm

      This is definitely a very yummy whipped frosting. Is there a need for 4 cups of powdered sugar? Would I be able to use less powdered sugar? Although delicious, I did think it was a tad on the sweet side. Is there a substitute that could be used to still get the fluffy and light texture?

      Reply
      • Kara

        February 19, 2023 at 1:17 pm

        Hi Britt, the powdered sugar is what firms up the frosting. You can try using less, but the less that’s used, the more liquid it is. If you are looking for a less sweet buttercream, you may want to go with Swiss meringue instead of an American buttercream like this one is. American buttercream uses powdered sugar to sweeten and thicken it up and it’s a sweeter buttercream. Swiss meringue buttercream is made differently and uses whipped egg whites and lots of butter with a smaller amount of sugar. I’m not an expert at swiss meringue since the weather in my area is usually hot and it doesn’t seem to hold up as well in hot climates, plus people down here in the south really like their American buttercream and I’m just used to making that type
yes I need to branch out more. 😉 Anyway, I don’t have a recipe for Swiss meringue, but there are lots online to choose from. You might want to experiment with that type of buttercream since it’s less sweet and has a light and fluffy feel to it much like whipped cream.

        Reply
        • Brittney

          February 19, 2023 at 7:49 pm

          Thank you so much for your reply! In order to appease my husband I’ll try the Swiss one, but if I’m honest, your recipe is totally up my alley. My 2 year old son loves it too! Thanks for sharing your sweet recipe!

          Reply
          • Kara

            February 19, 2023 at 8:11 pm

            You’re so welcome. I’m more a fan of the rich and sweet buttercream and not so much the whipped cream type, but everyone has their preferences. I also thought about this after I’d responded to you, but years back, I found a recipe for Swiss Meringue that was like a combination of Swiss Meringue and American buttercream. So, it was a little creamier and sweeter than regular Swiss meringue, but not as rich and sweet as American buttercream. I’ll post a link here if you want to try it out. It’s not chocolate, but she may have a chocolate version on her site. I thought it was very good and I preferred it to the regular swiss meringue which was just a little too bland for me and too much like plain whipped cream. Here’s the link: https://www.stuffedatthegills.ca/2015/04/gretchens-worlds-best-swiss-buttercream.html

            Reply
    5. Barb

      March 24, 2023 at 7:20 am

      Hi there loved the recipe; seem to have lots of icing leftover; can I freeze it? Thanks

      Reply
      • Kara

        March 24, 2023 at 3:40 pm

        Hi Barb, I can’t remember if I’ve frozen this buttercream before, but I think it would fine. You may have to whip it a bit though once it defrosts. Glad you loved it!

        Reply
        • Danielle

          June 22, 2023 at 9:50 pm

          This recipe looks great! I can’t wait to try it! Have you ever frosted a whole cake with this frosting? Or used it for piping a border? Do you think it would hold its shape well enough for piping?

          Reply
          • Kara

            June 26, 2023 at 6:41 pm

            Hi Danielle, I can’t remember if I have frosted an entire cake with this or not. I think I did with a small mini cake before, but that’s been awhile. I usually use it for cupcakes. I think it would be fine for an entire cake though as long as the cake layers weren’t super heavy as that would push down on the whipped icing. I think it would be fine as a border
just not intricate piping. You’d also want to store it in the fridge though as it’s definitely a softer frosting and can wilt or melt faster than usual buttercream.

            Reply
    6. Tiffany

      October 05, 2023 at 9:51 am

      5 stars
      Thank you! This is so delicious. I was in a pinch yesterday trying to make a birthday cake and I was tired of the whipped chocolate ganache I usually use. The ganache is easy and always works out, but I like a lighter frosting. My biggest regret with this recipe is that I only had one stick of butter, so had to 3rd the recipe. I used it as the filling and whipped ganache was used for the rest of the cake. I’m so excited to try it tonight! I’m pretty sure this will be my new go-to for chocolate frosting.

      Reply
      • Kara

        October 05, 2023 at 1:31 pm

        Tiffany, yay!!! I’m so glad you liked it! And good thinking on just using what you have and making 1/3 of the recipe. Thanks again for the great review!

        Reply
    4.70 from 20 votes (17 ratings without comment)

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