Chocolate Fudge Buttercream Frosting

Fluffy chocolate buttercream frosting in a clear mixing bowl with a white paddle attachment, surrounded by white flowers.

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: chocolate fudge buttercream frosting

Difficulty Level: Beginner

Prep Time: 15

Total Time: 15

Servings: cupcakes or 1, 8-round two-layer cake

Calories: 194kcal

Author: Kara @I Scream for Buttercream

This chocolate fudge buttercream frosting is the perfect topping for cakes and cupcakes, it’s a no-cook recipe and has a deep chocolate flavor that heavenly on cakes and cupcakes.

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US Customary - Metric

Ingredients

1 (12-ounce) bag semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted and cooled down to room temperature
2 cups unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup natural unsweetened cocoa powder (I use Hershey’s brand)
2 ½ cups confectioner’s sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons milk (may add in another tablespoon if needed)

Instructions

Add the semi-sweet chocolate chips to a microwave-safe bowl and heat for about 40 seconds and stir. If not fully melted, heat 20 more seconds at a time, stirring in between, until all melted and smooth. Set aside to cool until it’s almost room temperature (about an hour or so). (Alternately, set in the fridge to chill for about 10-15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. Make sure it doesn’t get cold and firm up. It needs to be around room temperature, but not warm.)
In a large mixing bowl, add the room-temperature butter and mix with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until smooth.
Add the cocoa powder and mix on low until combined, then on medium-high speed until well incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
Add the confectioner’s sugar, vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons of milk, then mix on medium-high speed until smooth.
Add the melted and cooled chocolate and mix on medium-high speed until smooth.
Check the consistency. If too thick, add milk, a tablespoon at a time, mixing after each addition.
To make the frosting fluffy, mix on high speed for a couple of minutes.
To make smooth frosting, mix it on low speed for several minutes.
Add to cooled cake or cupcakes.

Notes

How to Store: This frosting can be stored in an air-tight container at room temperature for about 3 days, then it can be stored, covered, in the refrigerator for another 2-3 days to prolong freshness. (If you add anything perishable to it, like fruit, then it will need to only be stored in the refrigerator.)

Be sure to check out the TIPS & FAQs section in this post—it should answer any questions you may have about ingredients, substitutions, etc.

Nutritional values are an estimate.

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Nutrition