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The Ultimate Bakery-Style Chocolate Buttercream Frosting: Smooth and Pipeable

Top-down view of a cake heavily frosted with rich chocolate buttercream frosting, featuring a dramatic swirl pattern.
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Make the best homemade chocolate buttercream frosting. This recipe yields a rich, creamy, and silky smooth frosting that holds its shape perfectly for decorating cakes and cupcakes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 to 5 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Place the softened butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat the butter on medium speed until it is completely smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
  2. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar and sifted cocoa powder to the butter, mixing on low speed until just combined.
  3. Add the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and beat for 2 minutes.
  4. Add 3 tablespoons of heavy cream or milk. Beat on medium-high speed for 3 to 5 minutes until the frosting is light, fluffy, and smooth. If the frosting seems too stiff for spreading or piping, add the remaining cream one tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
  5. If you need a very stable frosting for intricate piping, beat for the full 5 minutes. If you are just spreading it on a sheet cake, 3 minutes may be enough.
  6. Use immediately to frost your cakes, cupcakes, or brownies.

Notes

  • Sifting the powdered sugar and cocoa powder is important for a silky smooth frosting texture.
  • For an intense chocolate flavor, use high-quality, Dutch-processed cocoa powder.
  • If your butter is too warm, the frosting will be too soft to pipe well. Chill the finished frosting for 10 minutes if needed before decorating.
  • This recipe makes enough rich chocolate buttercream frosting for one 9-inch layer cake or about 24 cupcakes.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://carlacooking.com/chocolate-buttercream-frosting-recipe/