Name: The Best Small Batch Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 1 cup
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 0.25 cup unsalted butter; 0.5 cup powdered sugar; 0.25 cup Dutch process cocoa powder; 1 pinch Kosher salt; 0.5 tsp pure vanilla extract; 2 teaspoons whole milk

The Best Small Batch Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

The Best Small Batch Chocolate Buttercream Frosting cover

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The Best Small Batch Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

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Ingredients

Warning0 allergens identified

The Best Small Batch Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

Instructions

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Instructions

Add the unsalted butter and powdered sugar to a medium mixing bowl. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer with a whip attachment, beat the butter and powdered sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

Add the cocoa powder, salt, vanilla extract, and milk to the frosting. Beat until everything is well-combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl 2-3 times in-between.

Turn the mixer to medium-high and beat the buttercream for another 2-3 minutes, until the frosting is very silky, fluffy, and lightened in color. Store in an airtight container for later or use it on cupcakes, cookies, cake, etc.

Nutrition

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Room Temperature Butter is Essential 🧈
Use softened butter at 65-70°F for optimal fluffiness; cold butter won't incorporate air properly, resulting in dense frosting instead of the light, fluffy texture this recipe promises.
Sift Your Cocoa Powder 🎯
Always sift Dutch process cocoa powder before adding to eliminate lumps and ensure a silky, smooth texture without any gritty particles in your finished frosting.
Cream Butter First for Aeration 🌫️
Beat the butter alone for 2-3 minutes before adding other ingredients to incorporate air and create the foundational fluffiness that makes this frosting stand out.
Use Whole Milk, Not Heavy Cream ⚖️
Stick with whole milk as specified since heavy cream would create an overly thick, dense frosting; the lower fat content ensures the light, spreadable consistency this recipe achieves.
Add Powdered Sugar Gradually with Restraint 🚦
Mix in powdered sugar in 2-3 additions while monitoring consistency to avoid over-mixing and incorporating excess air, which can cause the frosting to become grainy or break down over time.