All you need is a few pantry staples to make this super chocolaty and delicious Small-batch Chocolate Frosting.
Hey, folks. Happy Monday, and if you are in the US, Happy Labor Day. I hope you’re enjoying your three-day weekend.
As promised, I have another small-batch frosting for you today. This time, Small-batch Chocolate Frosting. Or as some might say (me, I say it), the best frosting.
This chocolate frosting is an American buttercream, which means it’s one of the easiest frostings you can possibly make, and you almost certainly have the ingredients to make it any time the urge strikes because you just need butter, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, and a little milk or cream.
I like to throw a little espresso powder in there to give it an even deeper chocolate flavor (the hint of coffee flavor really brings it out) but that’s a totally optional ingredient and the frosting is still impossibly good without it.
With or without espresso, it’s fantastically rich and fudgy, the type of frosting you kind of want to just eat out of the bowl before it even makes its way to your cupcakes. 😉
Since this is a small-batch frosting recipe, it makes about 3/4 cup, which will frost four big swirls on cupcakes, six smaller swirls, or up to eight cookies or cupcakes when frosted with a knife.
I’ve used it on my Small-batch Chocolate Cupcakes on the site, and it’s A++ over Small-batch Vanilla Cupcakes as well.
Looking for more Small-batch Frosting Recipes? Try my Vanilla Frosting, Cookie Dough Frosting, Strawberry Frosting, and Oreo Frosting (all small-batch!)
Small-batch Chocolate Frosting
Ingredients
Special Equipment
- Handheld electric mixer optional but helpful
Chocolate Frosting
- 4 tablespoons (2oz) unsalted butter softened*
- 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar sifted
- 1/4 cup (20g) cocoa powder sifted
- 1 1/2 teaspoons milk plus more as needed
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of espresso powder optional
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, beat softened butter until light and fluffy. Add remaining ingredients and beat until well-combined and fluffy. Add more milk by the 1/4 teaspoon if necessary until frosting reaches your desired consistency.
Notes
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission if you make a purchase using them. There is absolutely no additional cost to you.
Vienna says
I love this! it tastes amazing and it’s just the right amount.
Chris says
Too sweet.
Sarah says
This recipe is never misses! Delicious every time!!
Kathleen says
I just made your frosting for the mini bundt cake I made in the air fryer and it tastes awesome. I only left out the espresso because my kids like chocolate but espresso brings chocolate to another level…and it’s too much for them. lol Too chocolatey. I love that it made no leftovers that I would eat with a spoon…
Kayy says
DEF 5 STARS!! After tasting , I was like….SHE KNOWS HER STUFF!! Thank you so much Tracy!!
Joyceb says
Hello! I just made this wonderful frosting for a batch of brownies. I was out of fresh milk so l substituted canned milk. We loved it. Thank you so much for a great “just enough” recipe.
Mia says
Absolutely delicious. I truly just made this because I was craving chocolate. I’ve just ate some off the spoon and it was delicious! Perfect texture for frosting too. I’ll pop the rest in the fridge and come up with something to put it on tomorrow. The amount it made was exactly what I was looking for as well.
Tracy says
So glad it hit the spot, Mia!!
Ashleigh Schubert says
Really liked this and the vanilla icing. super yummy, not overly sweet or buttery. held its form perfectly and piped great. formed a nice stiffness shell on the outer layer that would easily melt when eaten.
5 stars!!
will be my go-to recipe from now on.
Tracy says
Thanks, Ashleigh! So happy to hear it!!
Jeanie says
Hi Tracy! Thank you so much for this recipe it’s a keeper!! I love small batch and it was so easy to make. I made a 6in single layer chocolate cake to go with it and still have some leftover to use another time. I usually don’t add espresso but I’m glad I did because it definitely brings out a more chocolatey flavor. Can’t wait to try more of your recipes 🙂
Tracy says
Yes!! Espresso really does give it such a flavor boost. So glad you enjoyed it, Jeanie!!
Paula M Marshall says
“Since this is a small-batch frosting recipe, it makes about 3/4 cup, which will…” SATISFY MY CRAVING WITHOUT MAKING ME GO BUY CANDY AT THE STORE!!
Tracy says
Lol!!!