The BEST Chocolate Buttercream

Mike doesn’t like frosting – isn’t that the most annoying thing ever?  He’s always telling me to only put a little bit on cakes and cupcakes.  For those of us who have coveted the “corner” pieces of birthday cakes, this request is hard to comprehend (or obey).  When I find an icing or frosting that Mike loves, I know I have struck gold – as I have with this chocolate buttercream.  It is not too sweet, not too chocolately and gloriously creamy. I shared some of my Cake Baking Tips & Resources below, too.   

The Best Homemade Chocolate Buttercream

1 stick of butter, melted

1 1/2 cups of cocoa

1/2 cup of milk (plus more)

2 sticks of butter, softened

5-6 cups of powdered sugar (plus maybe more)

1 teaspoon vanilla

In a glass bowl, melt 1 stick of butter in the microwave.  Add cocoa and milk and microwave for 1 more minute, stir to mix.  In a mixer, cream 2 sticks of butter and powdered sugar.  Add cocoa mixture slowly.  Add vanilla.   Mix on high for 2 minutes.  Add more milk or powdered sugar until the desired consistency.

Whip together for a couple of minutes until well combined.  

Add butter in 2 tablespoons at a time until incorporated.  Whip for 2-3 more minutes.

Add more milk or powdered sugar to achieve desired consistency.

 

Cake Baking Tips : I use Parchment Paper ($10) to line the Round Cake Pans ($8).  I use the cake pan to draw a circle, then cut it out.  Then I cut strips to line the sides of the pan with.  I use a little butter to hold it in place – just swipe the stick around the pan once to create some glue.

Most of the time we just use boxed cake mixes + homemade icing.  Boxed cakes tend to be very moist (yay!) and the icing is what I enjoy the most (yay!), so this combo works great for us.

I bake the cakes on a Large Baking Sheet ($10), which makes them easier to get in and out of the oven and helps keep the oven clean by catching any overflow from the pans. 

Essentials Used:

Parchment Paper ($10)

8″ or 6″ Round Cake Pan ($8)

Large Baking Sheet ($10)

Offset Spatula ($6)

Disposable Pastry Bags ($18)

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