From Scratch Chocolate Buttercream Frosting Recipe with Simple Ingredients

Making homemade chocolate buttercream frosting is easier than you might think, and the taste is so much better than anything from a can! Rich, creamy, and perfectly chocolatey, this frosting pairs beautifully with cakes, cupcakes, and brownies for any occasion.

Once you make it from scratch, you’ll never go back to store-bought frosting again. It’s that smooth, spreadable, and satisfying.

If you love baking from scratch, explore more comforting treats and desserts on our Desserts from Scratch page for more homemade favorites.

This post contains affiliate links. This will not cost you anything, but will help us offset the cost of running the blog. We only share products we use and would recommend to a friend. Thank you for your support! Click ‘HERE’ for more info.

Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

You’re going to love this light, fluffy buttercream frosting that is full of real chocolate flavor. It only has a few simple ingredients, unlike popular storebought brands with 10+ nasty ingredients. This chocolate creamy chocolate frosting spreads and pipes easily, making it idea for cakes, cupcakes, cookies, or brownies.

It’s ready in 10 minutes, and you don’t need any fancy tools, although a mixer is helpful. Give this easy recipe a try for your next treat, you’re going to love it. This recipe will give you about 4 1/2-5 cups of frosting, which is enough to frost 24 cupcakes or a two layer 8-inch cake generously.

Quick Summary Steps

Step 1: Beat butter until fluffy.
Step 2: Add other ingredients and beat until incorporated.
Step 3: Add more heavy cream until it is the right consistency.
Step 4: Spread or pipe onto brownies, cake, or cupcakes and enjoy!

Ingredients and Tools You’ll Need

• 1 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter – Softened butter creates a rich, creamy base for the frosting. Using unsalted lets you control the salt level for perfect flavor balance.
• 4 1/2 cups Powdered Sugar – Also called confectioners’ sugar, this gives the frosting its smooth, fluffy texture and just the right sweetness.
• 3/4 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder – Natural cocoa powder adds deep chocolate flavor and that classic, homemade taste.
• 5-6 tbsp Heavy Whipping Cream – Adds lightness and helps achieve that silky, spreadable consistency. Use a little extra if you prefer a softer frosting.
• 3 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract – Learn to make your own homemade vanilla. Enhances the chocolate flavor and adds a warm, sweet note that ties everything together.
• 1/4 tsp Salt – Just a pinch of salt sharpens the sweetness and brings out the richness of the chocolate.
• Hand or Stand Mixer – A whisk attachment makes blending the ingredients super easy and fluffy.

How to Make Homemade Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

This recipe is super easy, and you are going to LOVE it on your homemade desserts. This recipe will make about 4 1/2-5 cups of frosting, or enough to frost about 24 cupcakes or a two layer 8-inch cake.

Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer, beat the butter until soft and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

Add powdered sugar, cocoa powder, 5 tbsp heavy cream, vanilla, and salt. Beat until incorporated, scrape down the sides as you go so everything gets mixed in.

Adjust the consistency by slowly adding heavy cream about 1 tbsp at a time.

Spread or pipe onto brownies, cake, or cupcakes and enjoy! If you want to make this frosting ahead, you can store it in the fridge for up to a week or in the freezer for 3 months. When you’re ready to use it, bring it back to room temperature and rewhip to make it fluffy again.

Tips for the Best Buttercream

• Use room-temperature butter for smoother blending. It will be fluffy and the perfect texture. Cold butter is too hard, and melted butter will give the wrong consistency.
• For a deeper flavor, try Dutch-process cocoa in your frosting.
• Add a tablespoon of brewed coffee or espresso to intensify the chocolate taste and add a twist.
• If the frosting is too thick, add a splash of milk; if it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar.

How to Store Homemade Chocolate Frosting

This is a perfect make-ahead recipe that makes homemade desserts quicker to make. You can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Alternatively, if you want to store the frosting a little longer, you can keep it frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before you’re ready to use it.

To use, bring the frosting to room temperature and rewhip it before using so it is nice and fluffy!

Explore Homemade Desserts

If you love from-scratch desserts, you might also enjoy:

• Raspberry Crumble – An easy and fruity dessert for every occasion.
• Pumpkin Pie with Pecan Crumble Topping – Creamy, nutty, and delicious, the best pumpkin pie!
• Pizookie – A pizza cookie in a cast-iron skillet. Top with ice cream for an extra treat.
• Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins – One-bowl desserts make life so much easier.

FAQs

Can I make this frosting ahead of time?
Yes! It stores well in the fridge for up to a week or in the freezer for 3 months. Just whip it again at room temperature before using.

What if I don’t have cocoa powder?
You can use melted chocolate instead, but reduce the butter slightly to balance the texture.

Can I make this frosting dairy-free?
Yes, use vegan butter and plant-based milk. The result will still be creamy and delicious.

Bake Something Sweet Today

Homemade chocolate frosting is the kind of simple recipe that makes your baked goods taste like they came straight from a bakery. Whether you spread it on a birthday cake or whip up a batch of cupcakes for fun, it’s sure to be a hit.

For more classic treats made from scratch, visit our Desserts from Scratch collection!