Buttercream Chocolate Frosting

Buttercream chocolate frosting or icing is commonly used as a decorating or spreading on the cakes. Whether it is buttercream chocolate or vanilla frosting, cakes are considered to be incomplete without frosting, especially if it is a birthday or an anniversary cake. However, people usually think preparing buttercream chocolate frosting at home is time-consuming and difficult, but actually it is not so. Therefore, here we will discuss different methods to help you prepare the delicious frosting.

Basic Buttercream Chocolate Recipe

Ingredients

• 12 ounces semisweet chocolate
• 1½ cup granulated sugar
• ¾ cup egg whites (4 to 5 extra-large eggs)
• 1½ pounds unsalted butter
• 3 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 3 tsp instant espresso powder, dissolved in 1½ tsp water
• ¼ tsp cream of tartar
• ¾ tsp kosher salt
• 3 tbsp dark rum, optional

Directions

Cut the chocolate into small pieces and keep them in a heat-proof bowl set over a pan simmering water. Stir till the chocolate melts and keep the bowl aside until cooled to room temperature. Take another bowl and mix the egg whites, sugar, cream of tartar and salt, with the help of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Transfer the bowl of egg whites over the pan of simmering water and heat the egg whites for 3 - 5 minutes or until they are warm to touch. Now return the bowl to the electric mixer and whisk on high speed for 5 - 7 minutes, or until the meringue is cool and has a stiff peak. Add the butter, 1 tbsp at a time, while beating on medium speed and then scrape down the bowl. Put the melted chocolate, vanilla, espresso and rum, and mix well for 1 - 2 minutes or until the chocolate is completely blended in. If the buttercream looks very soft, let it cool down, and then beat it again.

Other Methods of Preparation

Method #1

Ingredients

• 6 tbsp butter
• 1 cup powered sugar
• 2 tsp cocoa
• 2 - 3 tbsp milk

Directions

In a bowl, cream butter and add sugar and cocoa powder. Add milk to this butter mixture; mix well. If the frosting is very thick, you can add another tbsp of milk.

Method #2

Ingredients

• ¼ cup butter
• 1 (16 oz) pkg powdered sugar, sifted
• ¼ cup plus 3 tbsp warm milk
• ¼ cup plus 2 tbsp cocoa
• 1 tsp vanilla

Directions

In a bowl, cream butter and add cocoa; mix well. Slowly beat in powdered sugar and add warm milk as per the desired spreading consistency. Stir in vanilla and spread the frosting immediately.

Method #3

Ingredients

• 2 foil wrapped bars (4 oz.) Nestle unsweetened chocolate baking bars
• 3½ cup (1 lb) confectioners' sugar
• ½ - 2/3 cup milk
• ¼ cup (½ stick) butter
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla

Directions

In a saucepan, cook the chocolate baking bars and butter over low heat, stir continuously until the baking bars melt and the mixture smooths. Transfer this mixture in to a large mixing bowl so that it cools down to room temperature. Now put vanilla and salt and beat in confectioners' sugar alternately with milk, until you have the desired spreading consistency.

I am sure after reading the aforementioned methods of preparation, you will also agree that preparing buttercream chocolate frosting at home is not at all difficult and hence, can be done easily. Although, most of the ingredients of the buttercream cake frosting are similar, you can add variations to it by using different flavors, fruits and nuts. So, next time try making this frosting at home, decorate your homemade buttercream frosting cake with it and surprise your family and friends.