Cake coasted in rich chocolate buttercream.

Rich Chocolate Buttercream

This rich and creamy chocolate buttercream tastes like a chocolate bar in frosting form.

Servings: 3 cups
Total Time: 15 Minutes

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces semi-sweet or milk chocolate melting wafers (or bars, broken into small pieces) (see note)
  • 2½ sticks (20 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened but still cool
  • 1¼ cups confectioners' sugar
  • ½ cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder, such as Hershey’s
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup light corn syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Place the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and cook in the microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring in between, until it's about three-quarters of the way melted. Stir, allowing the residual heat in the bowl to melt the remaining chocolate completely. (If necessary, place the chocolate back in microwave for a few seconds.) Set aside to cool.
  2. In a food processor, process the butter, confectioners’ sugar, cocoa powder and salt until smooth, about 30 seconds, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the corn syrup and vanilla and process until just combined, 5 to 10 seconds. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then add the lukewarm melted chocolate and pulse until smooth and creamy, 10 to 15 seconds. Do not overmix.
  3. The frosting can be used immediately or held at room temperature for 3 to 4 hours. It may lose its shine as it sits—to bring the shine back, run a metal spoon under hot water, then wipe dry with a towel; stir the frosting with the hot spoon and it should shine right up.
  4. Note: If frosting a vanilla/yellow cake, milk chocolate is recommended for a creamier, smoother chocolate flavor. If frosting a chocolate cake, semi-sweet, milk chocolate, or a combination will work well.

Nutrition Information

Powered by Edamam

  • Per serving (24 servings)
  • Calories: 189
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated fat: 7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Sugar: 14 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 1 g
  • Sodium: 49 mg
  • Cholesterol: 25 mg