Chocolate American Buttercream Recipes

CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Beat 2 cups of unsalted butter on a medium speed for 30 seconds with a paddle attachment until smooth.
• Add in 1 cup of cocoa powder and 1/2 tsp of salt. Mix on low until the cocoa is fully incorporated and no clumps remain.
• Slowly add in 5 cups of powdered sugar and mix in on a low speed. Halfway through mix in 1/2 cup of heavy cream to make the frosting easier to mix.
• Next, mix in 1 1/3 cups of dark chocolate chips that have been melted and cooled for about 10 minutes. The chocolate should still be in a fully liquid state, but not hot to the touch.
• Beat on low until the ingredients are fully incorporated and the desired consistency is reached.
• If the frosting is too thick, add an extra Tbsp of heavy cream. If it's too thin, add in another 1/4 cup of powdered sugar.
• Stir by hand with a rubber spatula once the frosting is made to get the frosting SUPER smooth.
• Then use as desired! This frosting is amazing on layer cakes, cupcakes, cookies & more!

AMERICAN-STYLE CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM RECIPE

Steps:

• Use buttercream right away or transfer to a large zipper-lock bag, press out air, and seal. The buttercream can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks or frozen for up to several months. (The main issue with longer storage in the freezer is odor absorption, not spoilage.) Bring buttercream to approximately 72°F (22°C) and re-whip before use; see the troubleshooting guide below for tips on adjusting its consistency.
• Troubleshooting: If too cold, the frosting may seem stiff, greasy, or curdled; to fix, melt 1/4 cup frosting until liquid, then return it to the bowl and re-whip. Conversely, if too warm, the frosting may seem soft, loose, or runny; to fix, refrigerate the bowl of frosting for 10 minutes, then re-whip. It can take time to achieve the right temperature and consistency, but it gets easier with practice.

CHOCOLATE AMERICAN BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Combine the butter and cocoa powder in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or in a large bowl if using a handheld electric mixer). Mix on low speed until combined. Add the vanilla and salt. Continue to mix on low speed, adding the sugar a cup at a time and alternating with additions of the milk. Increase the speed to medium-high and mix until smooth. Use immediately, or refrigerate in an airtight container up to 3 days. Allow to come to room temperature and mix on medium-high until smooth.

BASIC CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM ICING

Steps:

• Beat butter and 1/4 cup cocoa powder together in a bowl with an electric mixer on low until light and fluffy. Gradually add milk, remaining 1/4 cup cocoa powder, and vanilla extract; beat until smooth. Add confectioners' sugar, about 2 tablespoons at a time, until desired consistency is reached.

AMERICAN BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Beat the butter in a stand mixer until it is creamy and slaps the sides of the bowl. Scrape your bowl. Mix the salt with the milk, and then add 3 tablespoons of the milk along with the vanilla extract and blend slowly until combined. Raise the speed to medium and beat to form a smooth butter mixture.
• Add half of the powdered sugar and blend on low until combined. Scrape the bowl, add the remaining sugar, set the mixer to low and blend for 2 to 3 minutes. Resist the urge to add more milk right away because the buttercream will thin out as it mixes. After mixing on low for 2 to 3 minutes you can choose to add more milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, to reach your desired consistency.
• Scrape your bowl, then set the mixture to medium-low and mix for 10 minutes. You may scrape the bowl halfway through. The frosting can be made softer with the addition of milk, 1/2 teaspoon at a time. The frosting will keep for 3 days at room temp, or 2 weeks refrigerated.
• Buttercream Variations:
• Add 1/2 cup marshmallow creme to the finished buttercream.
• Stir in a generous amount of chopped chocolate sandwich cookies for a delicious cookies-and-cream filling.
• Add up to 1/2 cup of creamy peanut butter to the finished buttercream.
• Add 2 to 3 ounces of melted and cooled bittersweet baking chocolate to the finished buttercream.
• Dissolve 2 to 4 teaspoons of instant espresso powder into your vanilla extract for coffee buttercream. This also works with the melted chocolate for mocha buttercream.
• Eliminate the vanilla extract and add up to 2 teaspoons of peppermint, lemon, orange, coconut or almond extract. You may choose to add a few drops of vanilla just to round off the flavor.