Is there anything better than light, fluffy, rich and flavorful Chocolate Buttercream Frosting? No. The answer is no. This Whipped Chocolate Buttercream is a baker’s dream! I love this recipe on my Birthday Cake recipe and even Homemade Brownies!
Whipped Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
I have this recipe on my blog way over here, but it gets lost next to that beautiful marble cake deliciousness, so I decided to make sure this fantastic recipe got its turn in the spotlight. This Chocolate Buttercream is a rich, dark, chocolate version of American Buttercream. The ingredients are simple:
- butter
- confectioners sugar
- cocoa powder
- vanilla
- heavy whipping cream
- salt
I prefer to use unsalted butter in this recipe as I find unsalted butter to be fresher tasting and consistent in the water ratio. When you are aiming for perfect consistency, using a consistent product is important.
How to Make Chocolate Buttercream
Because this recipe is designed for cakes specifically (although I find it works on many different desserts!) I like to make sure it is as smooth and creamy as possible. I like to whip the ingredients on high in my stand mixer for 3-5 minutes. Not only does this eliminate lumps and lighten the color of the buttercream slightly, but it also produces the fluffiest American Buttercream ever.
This whipped chocolate frosting pipes so beautifully, I just had to make my Rose Cake with it!
If you want to make a rose cake, here are step-by-step instructions and here is a less than 4 minute video of me frosting a rosette cake in real time!
This silky smooth and fluffy frosting is the perfect compliment to any cake or cupcake flavor!
UPDATE:
This frosting is so smooth and easy to work with I even put a crumb coat on a soft cake! I was in a pinch and did not have time to chill my layers before frosting, but was able to successfully crumb coat in spite of the time crunch! Baker’s know… that could have been a recipe for disaster!
This Whipped Chocolate Buttercream is a baker’s dream!

Whipped Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients
- 1½ cup (340g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 4 cups (500g) confectioners sugar
- ¾ cup (88.5g) cocoa powder
- 4 tablespoons (60ml) heavy whipping cream
- 2 teaspoons (10ml) vanilla extract
- 1 pinch table salt
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment, whisk butter and sugar on medium-high speed until very pale and fluffy or about five minutes. Be sure to stop at least once and scrape the bowl.
- With the mixer off, add in cocoa powder, vanilla and salt.
- Turn mixer on low and blend for about 30 seconds.
- One tablespoon at a time add in heavy cream.
- Once all cream has been added and mixture is mostly combined, turn off the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl.
- Now turn the mixer onto medium-high to high and whisk for 3-5 minutes or until mixture is lighter and fluffier. The frosting will be shiny and seem to have many large air bubbles throughout and this is exactly what we are going for. (You can smooth those out on the cake if so desired.)
Did you make this recipe?
Thank you for making my recipe! You took pictures, right? Well go ahead and post them on Instagram! Be sure to mention me @iambaker and use the hashtag #YouAreBaker.
If you are just getting started with buttercream, here are 4 easy buttercream cakes to get you started on the right foot!
I have been saving your recipes but I still havent had time.to make any of your amazing recipes,with work I work at a grocery store…always worried about covid and my and my family safety.But I do want to make your recipes especially your cakes,they are amazing. I just wanted to say I just think that youre an a amazing cook. Stay safe and blessed. Elena D.
Is this frosting real sweet? I prefer a less sweet frosting. How sweet would you rate it?
Yes, it is sweet.
It holds it’s shape? I’m all in. although I think I would add some black cocoa just to get that deeper chocolate flavor. Just a tablespoon or two.
If you only have a hand mixer do you still use the same time for beating
I need to make this. I love chocolate
does the butter have a affect on the butter cream, mine turned out Very pale and looked a bit grainy (it wasnt grainy) but nowhere near the colour of yours!
Made this yesterday with my favorite buttermilk yellow cake recipe. This frosting is divine! Silky, luxurious and the perfect compliment to buttermilk yellow cake! This is a keeper, thanks for yet another amazing recipe, Amanda!
Can I use caster sugar for this?
Absolutely wonderful. Excellent flavour. I just decided today to try another recipe and I picked this one-so glad I did! My son has a very chocolate mouth from licking the bowl.
What size tip did you use?