This amazing chocolate frosting recipe is the best way to make your cake or cupcakes stand out from the crowd. It’s easy to make, creamy and delicious.
I am a BIG fan of chocolate frosting and this easy chocolate frosting recipe tastes great on EVERYTHING, but my favorite is on yellow cake (or cupcakes) but it also turns chocolate cake into a chocolatey wonder.
In my opinion, this is the most delicious, rich homemade chocolate frosting. While it’s great when eaten right away, I think it tastes even better the next day.
No matter what you’re baking that needs a topping, this chocolate buttercream frosting recipe is quick and easy to whip up and everyone will pay you BIG compliments about what a great job you did!
As a buttercream frosting, this recipe starts out with the traditional base of butter and powdered sugar (also called confectioner’s sugar). From there it’s time to add in the chocolate!
The key to this recipe is Hershey’s cocoa powder. It gives homemade chocolate frosting that perfect “chocolatey” taste!
Did you know that HERSHEY’S cocoa powder was the very first HERSHEY’S product available to the public? Yep, it was introduced in 1894 and that’s when the HERSHEY’S brand was born.
It has been a baking staple for over one hundred years and still makes the BEST chocolate frosting ever. (It’s delicious to make chocolate cake too.)
Another big plus about this chocolate buttercream frosting is that it is very inexpensive to make. Cocoa is much less expensive than other forms of chocolate and so versatile!
The easiest way to make this buttercream frosting is in a stand mixer.
The easiest way to make this buttercream frosting is in a stand mixer. I LOVE my KitchenAid stand mixer. It’s easy to use, saves a lot of mixing work, and makes smooth, creamy frosting. I also just like the way it looks sitting on my kitchen counter!
Of course it’s not a MUST to use a stand mixer for making the chocolate buttercream frosting, as you can mix it by hand, but it’s just a lot easier.
Easy Chocolate Frosting Recipe
Ingredients:
1/2 cup softened salted butter
2-1/4 cups confectioners sugar
1/2 cup Hershey’s cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup milk
How to make the best chocolate frosting:
It’s easiest to mix in a stand mixer, but you may also do it by hand.
Cream butter until smooth. Add in vanilla.
Gradually beat in confectioners sugar and cocoa.
Add milk. You may add more or less milk to get it to the consistency you’re looking for.
This makes enough to frost a 9″ x 13″ cake.
Easy Chocolate Frosting
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup softened butter
- 2-1/4 cups confectioner's sugar
- 1/2 cup Hershey’s cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 cup milk
Instructions
- Cream butter until smooth. Add in vanilla.
- Gradually beat in powdered sugar and cocoa powder.
- Add milk. You may add more or less milk to get it to the consistency you’re looking for.
Notes
Nutrition
Amy B says
Gtthis was easy to fix and very yummy, this will be my go to recipe for chocolate frosting!
Ruth Ward says
Was looking for an easy and quick frosting for some brownies and this worked great and was yummy and fast to put together! Thank you…
Jeanne says
Ohh yummm it’s SO delicious!!!,, same question as above – since using milk, does this cake with frosting need to be refrigerated? Thank you!
Chrysa says
It will last a day or two unrefrigerated, but the best storage is in the refrigerator in a tightly sealed container for up to 7 days.
Jaimie says
Yum! Made this tonight for my homemade yellow cake! I was wondering if this icing needs to be refrigerated? I used evaporated milk.
Andrea B. says
Just made this for the first time. I’ve never made frosting before either. This was quick and easy and tasted delicious. Thank you for sharing.
Holly says
I just have to say this is the best frosting ever. So simple and very good
Chrysa says
I’m so glad to hear you like it!!
Nancy says
Having a bake sale on Saturday. If I frost on Friday morning will frosting be ok and keep shape
Mona says
Will this recipe be enough to frost 2 nine inch round cakes?
Chrysa says
It might be a little light for both of those layers. I would probably try 1 1/2 batches. (Or make double to be safe and make the frosting extra thick if you have enough!)
Pam says
Needed a quick frosting for some cupcakes tonight. Tried your recipe and OMG….I could just sit and eat this from a bowl. It is a wonderful frosting for the yellow cake, made it seem so rich. Thank you for a wonderful recipe… I give this a 5 star!
Nancy says
This is the best!!! And the easiest icing to make! Thank you so much for this recipe! The kids think I’m a wizard and my BF thinks I’m going to make him fat!
Chrysa says
Oh, that is great to hear! I’m glad they all love it. (Maybe BF will have to head to the gym.- It’s worth it for the icing!) Thanks for letting me know it was a hit!
Sylvia Vazquez says
Hi could I substitute the butter with Apple sauce?
Anonymous says
WOW I just made this is and it soooooo good. I was a little unsure when I added the sugar and cocoa, because it was a little crumbly. I added the milk (I used unsweetened vanilla almond milk) and just beat it for a few minutes. It is so smooth and creamy and delicious!