The Best Homemade Chocolate Frosting You’ll Ever Taste

Published September 07, 2016 Updated January 29, 2019 41 Comments

Homemade frosting has become a lost art. Sad, but true. Those cans of frosting are quick but not nearly as delicious as a homemade frosting. Plus, with a homemade frosting, you know exactly what you are getting – no artificial ingredients! This is why I love, what I truly believe is, the best homemade chocolate frosting recipe you’ll ever taste.

Growing up, my Mom traditionally made buttercream frosting. We could pick the color. I recall a lot of green for some reason. I still like buttercream, but my mother-in-law’s easy chocolate icing recipe is a new favorite of mine. Of course, she told me that she got it from the Hershey’s cocoa container but I still consider it hers – and it’s good.

This simple chocolate fudge frosting recipe makes rich icing that spreads perfectly on cupcakes, cakes or cookies. It’s my go-to chocolate frosting for cupcakes and cakes!

I realize I’m speaking boldly by saying this is the best homemade chocolate frosting. I’ve tasted a lot of frosting. I prefer frosting over the cake any day. So, when I say it’s the best, that is my humble opinion. You’ll have to try it and let me know if you agree. It’s the best homemade chocolate frosting that I have ever tasted. Nothing else compares!

This post contains affiliate links. You can read more in my disclosure policy.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter
2/3 cup cocoa
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla (I’ve bought this vanilla in Texas for years, and it’s the only vanilla I’ll use!)

Directions:

Melt butter and stir in cocoa. Add vanilla.

Alternate adding milk and powdered sugar to the cocoa mixture. Beat on medium speed with a mixer to get frosting to a spreadable consistency.

Now, frost whatever your heart desires! Frost a cupcake or frost a cake. Frost a saltine (salty) or frost a graham cracker (sweet). Or, if you love a good frosting as much as I do, enjoy a spoonful of frosting all by itself! Try this once, and I guarantee you’ll love it.

Best Homemade Chocolate Frosting

A delicious recipe for what is truly the best homemade chocolate frosting. You'll never buy store bought frosting again!

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Ingredients

1/2 cup butter
2/3 cup cocoa
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

Melt butter and stir in cocoa. Add vanilla.
Alternate adding milk and powdered sugar to the cocoa mixture. Beat on medium speed with a mixer to get frosting to a spreadable consistency.
Now, frost whatever your heart desires! Frost a cupcake or frost a cake. Enjoy!

https://www.joyfullythriving.com/best-homemade-chocolate-frosting/

Comments

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Barb from CNY says
October 29, 2012 at 9:19 am

Oh my goodness I just made this frosting for the first time yesterday! I needed frosting (truthfully, I usually use the can stuff but was out) and found this recipe on the back of the cocoa can. It IS the best ever, and I will never use canned chocolate frosting again! It was so easy to make and the chocolate flavor was amazing. Plus, it does not use a ton of butter, only one stick, which helped yesterday as I was low on butter:) Great recipe!

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- Kristen says
  October 29, 2012 at 7:06 pm
  
  That is too funny, Barb! It really is life changing, though, isn't it? :-) I'm praying for you as this hurricane draws close to you all!
  
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Teresa from Montreal Quebec says
January 27, 2013 at 11:59 pm

Hi! I found your website and I am going to try this out soon, for I don't like can frostings lol...since my husband keeps eating from them I figure to try it out by scratch!. It looks easy and not a long list of ingredients too! I will let you know :)

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- Kristen says
  January 28, 2013 at 7:24 am
  
  Hi, Teresa! I hope you enjoy this frosting recipe. Since my mother-in-law made it for me, it has become one of my favorites. It really is simple, and quite delicious with a very rich chocolate flavor. I'll be curious to hear what you think!
  
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Dana says
May 7, 2014 at 10:05 am

Hi, is the cocoa in this recipe unsweetened?

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- Kristen says
  May 7, 2014 at 10:12 am
  
  Yes it is! I only use unsweetened cocoa in my baking. I hope you enjoy the frosting!
  
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Addy says
September 7, 2016 at 10:22 am

Thanks for sharing. I am going to try this soon! I don't make frosting very often (I'm more of a pie person) but I really don't like the canned frostings very well, so this will be a good alternative.

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- Kristen says
  September 7, 2016 at 1:21 pm
  
  I agree, Addy! I will make pie or cookies or brownies before I ever make cake. That said, if and when I do make cake or cupcakes, this is my go-to frosting. It is ten times better than any of the canned frostings, and comes together so quickly! I hope you enjoy it!
  
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kathy says
September 8, 2016 at 11:32 am

Can you share your mom's buttercream frosting recipe? I would love to try it.

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Karen says
January 11, 2017 at 4:10 pm

This is by far the easiest and best tasting homemade chocolate frosting. I will never use canned frosting again. Thank you so much for sharing your recipe.

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- Kristen says
  January 11, 2017 at 10:11 pm
  
  Oh, I'm so glad you like it, Karen! It really is amazing, isn't it? I have been known to eat it by the spoon, it's so good! :-)
  
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Tracey says
January 15, 2017 at 3:00 pm

Hi Kristin! Quick question, after frosting cake or cupcakes, do they need to be refrigerated? I don't particularly like my baked goods cold, but wasnt sure if it is safe to leave the frosted cupcakes in a sealed container without refrigerating them.... thanks!

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- Kristen says
  January 15, 2017 at 3:39 pm
  
  Hi, Tracey! Good question. If you are eating the frosted baked goods within a day or two, you'll be just fine! If I have leftover frosting, I do refrigerate it until I'm ready to use it again, letting it soften on the counter, just before frosting again. I hope that helps...And enjoy the frosting!
  
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Bobbi Convery says
January 27, 2017 at 12:18 am

My familiy loves when I make this, and don't open a can; it does taste SO much better!

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- Kristen says
  January 30, 2017 at 2:23 pm
  
  I'm so glad your family loves it as much as we do! :-)
  
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Mindy from London, ON says
February 15, 2017 at 3:15 pm

Hi Kristen! My hand mixer is broken and I have no stand mixer sadly. I've been searching the internet high and low for an icing recipe that can be made by hand but there doesn't seem to be anything decent. Do you think this recipe would work using a good old fashioned whisk?

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- Kristen says
  February 15, 2017 at 8:05 pm
  
  Hi, Mindy! I certainly do think you could make this frosting with a whisk or wooden spoon. It will be a bit more time consuming, but stir away and give it a try! Good luck!
  
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Melissa says
June 9, 2017 at 7:01 pm

Thanks for the recipe, you mentioned putting extra in the fridge - just wondering how long it might keep in the fridge or if you have ever tried to freeze it. Waiting for our second baby to come and would like to use it on some cupcakes after it's arrival. Thanks!

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- Kristen says
  June 12, 2017 at 8:16 pm
  
  Hmm. I have not tried freezing it but I have frozen different frosting before...so I would guess it would work. It will also keep in the fridge for several weeks, if you can keep from eating spoonfuls of it! :-) Congratulations on the new baby, and I'm thinking of you as you wait!
  
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Maryanne says
January 9, 2018 at 3:48 pm

This frosting came out beautifully! Thank you for sharing your recipe. I have failed at making frosting a couple of times and gave up completely. Well Im glad I tried again with this recipe! Success!

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- Kristen says
  January 9, 2018 at 7:24 pm
  
  Yay, Maryanne! This is one of my favorite recipes, and I'm glad you fell in love with it too! Yay for delicious (and easy!) frosting!
  
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Mary says
May 3, 2018 at 4:30 pm

Can you recommend a good cocoa powder? Can’t wait to make this for an upcoming graduation party:)

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- Kristen says
  May 4, 2018 at 7:53 am
  
  I have made this with Hershey's cocoa, Nestle's cocoa and generic Aldi's cocoa. No matter which cocoa I use, the frosting is always delicious! I hope you enjoy it too!
  
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  - Mary says
    May 4, 2018 at 12:23 pm
    
    Thank you!! I have Hershey’s and Nestle in my pantry - yay! I get so confused by the Dutch cocoa powders and the regular. Thrilled to find your recipe!! Mary
    
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Christine says
May 11, 2018 at 2:25 pm

Help! I don’t know what I did wrong. I thought I follow the directions exactly how they said but my icing turned out separated. It almost seems like it’s oily and the consistency is it fluffy and smooth. What did I do wrong?

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- Kristen says
  May 11, 2018 at 3:10 pm
  
  Hmm. I don't know! Did you use margarine instead of butter? That is the only thing I can think of but even that shouldn't make too big of a difference, I wouldn't think.
  
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Kimberly says
July 3, 2018 at 7:27 pm

Hi! I added 1cup of miniature marshmallows and 1cup of chopped walnuts to put on top of brownies. Rocky Road Brownies! Thank you for sharing this frosting recipe.

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- Kristen says
  July 5, 2018 at 4:07 pm
  
  Oh, I love this idea, Kimberly! Thanks for sharing! And I'm so glad you like the frosting as much as I do!
  
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Anne Marie says
July 16, 2018 at 1:34 pm

Was searching for an easy choc frosting recipe and came upon this one- just made it and it was not only very easy and quick but also delicious- thanks!

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Hailey says
July 18, 2018 at 5:38 pm

Me and my best friend are looking to make a chocolate cake. And this frosting will be the finishing touch!

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aimee says
January 15, 2019 at 6:04 pm

can you make this frosting without the cocoa and just use it as a white frosting

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- Kristen says
  January 24, 2019 at 7:51 pm
  
  I've never tried, because I am a chocolate girl through and through, but I am sure you probably could! Let me know how it turns out if you try it!
  
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Linda says
April 30, 2019 at 5:24 am

Hi! I want to try this but I wanted to see if you think Unsweetened dutch cocoa powder would work with it. Thanks!

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- Kristen says
  May 1, 2019 at 3:10 pm
  
  I use unsweetened regular cocoa powder, and think unsweetened dutch would work just fine! Enjoy!
  
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  - Linda says
    May 2, 2019 at 8:55 am
    
    Thank you so much for your reply. Trying it today...will let you & everyone else know!
    
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Mary says
September 13, 2019 at 10:28 am

Hi! I made this delicious frosting about a year ago and plan to make it again for an upcoming birthday, but I can’t remember if I used salted or unsalted butter. Do you have a recommendation? Thank you! Mary

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- Kristen says
  September 13, 2019 at 4:44 pm
  
  Hi, Mary! You can absolutely use either. I normally use salted butter but have not noticed a difference in the frosting when I used unsalted. So use whatever butter you have in the fridge and enjoy your frosting!
  
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Kim Evans says
November 17, 2019 at 4:12 pm

Hi, I am allergic to dairy I was wondering if I could use vegan butter sticks instead. Thanks.

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- Kristen says
  November 20, 2019 at 10:49 am
  
  I have never tried it, but you are welcome to try! Let me know what happens!
  
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Barbara says
March 20, 2020 at 1:54 pm

I was never very successful making my own frosting, but having made this recipe successfully I will definitely make it again. Delicious and easy to spread. Thanks.

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Mary Martinson says
July 20, 2020 at 10:29 am

I love rigs recipe; it my go-to chocolate frosting favorite. It’s simple, an I usually have all the ingredients on hand. I often cut it in half for an 8 x 8 pan of Brownies! Thank you

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