Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

Ingredients:

1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks or ½ pound), softened (but not melted!)
3½ cups confectioners (powdered) sugar
½ cup cocoa powder
½ teaspoon table salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract or 1 teaspoon almond extract
4 tablespoons milk or heavy cream

Method:

1. Cream butter for a few minutes in a mixer with the paddle attachment on medium speed. Turn off the mixer. 
2. Sift 3 cups powdered sugar and cocoa into the mixing bowl. 
3. Turn your mixer on the lowest speed (so the dry ingredients do not blow everywhere) until the sugar and cocoa are absorbed by the butter. 
4. Increase mixer speed to medium and add vanilla extract, salt, and milk/cream and beat for 3 minutes. 
5. If your frosting needs a more stiff consistency, add a little more sugar. If your frosting needs to be thinned out, add additional milk 1 tablespoon at a time.

Prep time: 2 mins

Cook time: 3 mins
Total time: 5 mins

Serves: 3 cups

A simple recipe for classic chocolate buttercream frosting. Perfect for frosting cakes, cookies, brownies, or cupcakes.

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

Ingredients:

1 c. salted butter, at room temperature
3½-4 c. powdered sugar
1/2 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2-3 T. whole milk, half-and-half, or cream

Method:
With an electric mixer (either hand or stand), beat butter until pale, about 3-4 minutes on medium.
Scrape down the bowl.
Add 3½ cups powdered sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons of milk.
Mix on low until powdered sugar and cocoa powder are incorporated.
If the frosting is too dry, add another tablespoon of milk. If the frosting is too wet, add powdered sugar 2 tablespoons at a time until it reaches a spreadable consistency.