This fantastic whipped Cocoa Buttercream Frosting recipe requires just 5 ingredients. With barely ten minutes of effort, you’ll have enough rich, fluffy chocolate frosting to top a dozen cupcakes.
Cocoa Buttercream Frosting
This cocoa buttercream frosting uses five simple ingredients you likely already have in your house. This frosting will give any cake you make an unforgettable rich chocolate, homemade taste.
So you can grab that handy box of cake mix with confidence the next time you’re in a hurry. This very simple homemade frosting will take your cake to the next level.
Cocoa Powder Frosting Ingredients
- butter
- powdered sugar
- cocoa powder
- vanilla extract
- milk
Chocolate Frosting with Cocoa Powder
This chocolate frosting is also delicious on Vanilla Cake and S’mores Cupcakes. For the die-hard chocolate-loving purists, try this frosting on these rich chocolatey Cocoa Powder Brownies or our favorite homemade Chocolate Cake.
If you’re a fan of the pumpkin + chocolate combination, this chocolate frosting would be fantastic on these pumpkin bars too!
(If you ARE a fan of pumpkin and chocolate together (YUM!) don’t miss these Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies, Chocolate Sandwich Cookies with Pumpkin Spice Buttercream, and the Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie.)
More Homemade Frosting Recipes
For more homemade frosting recipes to dress up any cake, try Fluffy Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting, Mint Buttercream Frosting, Blackberry Buttercream, and Lime Cream Cheese Frosting.
For something a little unexpected, this Pomegranate Buttercream Frosting is a fun, (and naturally bright pink) option. Have you tried Sour Cream Frosting? It’s a tangy slightly-less-sweet option that I really enjoy.
Are you a caramel lover? This Dulce de Leche frosting or the Salted Caramel Frosting are both fantastic options.
Whipped Vanilla Buttercream is a much-loved old-fashioned favorite. And this Peach Cream Cheese Frosting is a summer and fall favorite that never fails to make me grin.
Whipped Cocoa Buttercream
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup cocoa
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1-2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat butter on medium speed for a minute or so until light and fluffy. Carefully add the powdered sugar, cocoa, vanilla and 1 tablespoon milk. Stir slowly until combined and then beat on high speed for 2 minutes until fluffy. Add additional milk as needed to create a smooth consistency for frosting.
- This recipe will generously frost 1 dozen cupcakes. I
Nutrition
{originally published 9/25/17 – recipe notes and photos updated 3/2/22}
Rene says
Thank you for the wonderful chocolate frosting recipe. I will be making this tomorrow.
Mary says
I am sure it will taste delicious, Rene.
Barbara B says
Haven’t made it yet. Sounds delish. How long can the cupcakes sit on the counter before they should be refrigerated? I’m also saving the whipped vanilla buttercream recipe. Will look to see if you also have a cream cheese frosting recipe. Thank you.
Mary says
I would not leave them out for too long before refrigerating them. Maybe an hour or so. For a cream cheese frosting, there are several recipes on the site that call for it so feel free just to search one of those to find what you need.
Amy says
Mine came out too running. Is it maybe I didn’t use a mixer? I used a hand mixer. Yes it taste delicious but it wasn’t fluffy just so running.
Mary says
Hi, Amy! While I can’t be sure what might have gone wrong, I think using a hand mixer probably affected your end result. I’m glad you still enjoyed the taste; happy baking!