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You don’t know how to make chocolate cream cheese frosting? Well you are in the right place. This recipe is made with a good quality cocoa powder and is super simple to make. This recipe is guaranteed to work every time, and is rich and flavorful. I love how creamy and smooth this frosting is while also maintaining enough structure to pipe. Furthermore, this may be one of the easiest chocolate frosting recipes you can make. Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting is the perfect complement to your favorite cake and cupcake recipes.
Chocolate cream cheese frosting is loved by many people, including myself, because it strikes the perfect balance between sweet and slightly tangy, making it less sugary than traditional buttercream while still being incredibly decadent. This frosting recipe is truly one of my favorites. Whether you’re frosting a chocolate cake, red velvet cupcakes, or a batch of brownies, this frosting brings a luxurious finish to any dessert.
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Table of Contents
What Is Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting and why you will love it?
Chocolate cream cheese frosting is a smooth, whipped frosting made from cream cheese, butter, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, and vanilla. The cream cheese provides a rich and slightly tangy flavor that pairs beautifully with chocolate, creating a frosting that is creamy, balanced, and indulgent.
I don’t have many frosting recipes on this blog, and I make this frosting all the time so I definitely had to share this chocolate cream cheese frosting recipe here. Chocolate cream cheese frosting is a variation on the cream cheese frosting recipe.
This frosting is for those who find buttercream frostings too sweet. I know I do. Once I learned about cream cheese frosting, I knew it was going to be my go-to frosting for cakes. Not only is it a less sweet alternative to buttercream frostings but it pipes so easily and smoothly. So if you are looking for a frosting recipe that works great for decorating your cakes, cream cheese is the way to go. In fact, I usually use this chocolate cake frosting recipe for my Moist Fudge Chocolate Cake.
Chocolate cream cheese frosting has a more complex flavor profile. The tanginess from the cream cheese enhances the chocolate flavor and gives the frosting a lighter taste despite its creamy texture. So if you’ve ever wondered how to make chocolate frosting, my easy to follow recipe is for you.
This frosting is commonly used on:
- Chocolate cakes-
- Red velvet cakes
- Chocolate cupcakes
- Brownies
- Sheet cakes
- Layer cakes
Its silky texture also makes it easy to spread or pipe onto baked goods.
Get A Perfect Frosting Every Time
Use Room Temperature Ingredients – Soft butter and cream cheese blend together much more easily and smoothly when they are at room temperature. Anytime I want to make frostings, I usually take the cream cheese and butter out of the refrigerator hours before I need to make the frosting.
A little trick to speed up the process, is to either microwave both in short bursts, or you can take a glass, run very hot water in it. Pour the hot water out, and place the now hot glass over your stick of butter. You can do this with the cream cheese also.
Sift the Cocoa Powder – sifting prevents lumps and helps create a silky frosting.
Don’t Overbeat – Overmixing can make the frosting too soft. Mix until light and smooth.
Chill if Necessary – If the frosting becomes too soft, refrigerate it for 15–20 minutes before spreading.
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Ingredients and Tips
You only need 6 ingredients for this simple frosting recipe, and in this section, I go over those ingredients to help you make the best chocolate frosting you can make.
Cocoa powder – Since chocolate is essentially the main focus of this frosting, it was important to use a good quality natural cocoa powder. I usually prefer natural cocoa powder for it’s bitterness as it works well for this chocolate cake frosting. Of course, you can use Dutch processed cocoa powder as well if you want a less bitter and less acidic cocoa powder. I have also tried black cocoa powder during Halloween when I wanted an even darker frosting. You can get the cocoa powder I use by clicking here.
Cream Cheese – Cream cheese aids in the structure of the frosting. It is smooth and tangy and when beaten, it just pulls all the other ingredients together. This is very good for making chocolate cake frosting and more.
Salt – Because frostings are usually pretty sweet it is important to add some salt to bring out the sweetness so you don’t have to add too much powdered sugar. I usually use Himalayan pink salt, but feel free to use whatever you like.
Butter – Fats in the butter aid in the smoothness of the frosting. It also adds flavor, so I usually use a quality butter like Kerrygold.
Vanilla Extract – Vanilla extract is one of the main flavorings in many cakes and desserts so it is important to use a quality vanilla extract.
Storage Tips
Chocolate cream cheese frosting should be stored properly to maintain its texture and freshness.
Refrigerator
Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Freezer
Chocolate cream cheese frosting can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and re-whip before using.
Frosted Cakes
Cakes with cream cheese frosting should be refrigerated and brought to room temperature before serving.
Ways to Customize Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
I love making chocolate cake frosting and how versatile it is. Once you master the base recipe, you can easily customize the flavor. For example, sometime I will add 1 teaspoon of expresso powder for a mocha flavor as I love coffee.
Black cocoa powder gives an even deeper chocolate flavor and is truly perfect for the extreme chocolate lovers out there.
I’m not a big fan of fruit and chocolate combinations, but I have heard of some people grating orange zest into their chocolate icing for a nice orange and chocolate flavor. That actually reminds me of those weird orange chocolates that used to be sold in which the chocolate was in the shape of orange slices. I would imagine the idea being very good for those who are nostalgic for that type of candy.
Now an idea that I really enjoy is blending about a tablespoon of unsweetened organic peanut butter into the chocolate frosting as peanuts go so well with chocolate. That combination just elevates the frosting to an almost Reese’s cup like quality.
If you enjoy our dessert recipes you should check out our bread recipes and I would definitely recommend our Easy Fluffy Milk Bread.
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Creamy Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 8oz package of cream cheese 226g, softened
- ½ cup butter, 1 stick 113g, softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract 5g
- ½ tsp salt 3g
- ¼ cup natural cocoa powder 25g
- 2 tsp strong coffee
- 3 cup powdered sugar 360g
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add the cream cheese and butter. Beat until smooth and creamy.
- Add in the vanilla and salt. Beat until well combined.
- Slowly beat in the cocoa powder and coffee. Once cocoa powder and coffee are beat in thoroughly, slowly beat in the powdered sugar until you have a smooth creamy frosting.
- Enjoy!!
Notes
Nutrition
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