Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

September is here. I’m back at Pikes Peak Community College, teaching three English Composition courses. I’m also on call for five births (yes, I’m doing birth photography!). Needless to say, life is busy. Add in a bubbling, vivacious toddler and my days have been filling up at an ever-quickening rate. So for the time being, I’ll just be posting twice each week. If you absolutely need to see more baked goods and whole foods, you can always find me on instragram (@cakestand).

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

Last week, after a beautiful day photographing three women for the Breastfeeding Project, I drove home from Denver with one goal in my mind: to make my 10-year-old nephew a birthday cake. With only a couple of hours before we were set to meet for dinner, I knew I’d have to execute a stellar baking and decorating performance if Ben’s birthday cake was going to be a reality. I needed simplicity. I needed ease. I needed delicious. And so I fell back on a classic vanilla cake with a delicious chocolate buttercream frosting. When I have ample time, I love to make a traditional french buttercream…with egg yolks and corn syrup and granulated sugar. But when I need something sweet and simple that will decorate beautifully, I turn to this recipe: an easy buttercream made with only a few ingredients: cocoa, powdered sugar, butter, and a dash of milk. In under two hours (from start to finish!) we had this cake ready for Ben’s birthday celebration. It was enjoyed by all.

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

3 sticks butter, softened to almost room temperature

1 cup cocoa powder

5 cups powdered sugar, sifted

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup whole milk (for an even richer frosting, use cream)

In the bowl of your stand mixer, combine butter and cocoa. Using the paddle attachment, beat on medium speed until smooth. Gradually add in powdered sugar and milk (1 cup of powdered sugar, followed by 1-2 tablespoons milk). Run the mixer on low as you combine. After all milk and powdered sugar are added, stir in vanilla. Beat mixture on medium-high until light and fluffy (add more powdered sugar or more milk if needed). Frost on a completely cooled cake.

31 thoughts on “Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

  1. Alex

    Great, because those ingredients are always around the house (why do I crave for frostings with cream cheese when I don’t have any around?) 😀 Have a great week!

  2. Ashley

    You are one busy lady! But it sounds like all good things 🙂 Gorgeous cake – the classics get overlooked so often but man are they good. What a perfect birthday cake to celebrate with!

  3. Kelly @ Inspired Edibles

    You know the saying ‘if you want to get something done, ask a busy person’ – this post reminds me of that. I find myself exhilarated for you – busy but exciting too! Gorgeous decorating on this cake my dear — what a perfect way to wind down at the end of the busy day (plus, you get to enjoy the spoils 😉 ). Hugs.

  4. Nancy @ gottagetbaked

    Monet, you amaze me all the time. I can’t believe you have so many projects and jobs on the go, while raising sweet Lucy at the same time. I can barely survive with one job, a husband and a dog! I’m doing the bare minimum over here. And lady, this cake is amazing. My jaw actually dropped open when I saw the first photo. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. I hope your nephew was ecstatic when he saw and tasted it!

  5. Trisha

    Gorgeous cake! I love how different all your jobs are–writing, teaching, cooking, photography. I bet you are continually inspired and inspiring! Making this frosting for my next birthday cake. 🙂

  6. SallyBR

    Kelly took the words out of my mouth – ask a busy person indeed!

    it is exciting to see you doing so many things, so be it if you have to post “only ” twice a week – don’t put pressure where you don’t have to

    go with the flow, you are doing absolutely great!

  7. Helen @ Scrummy Lane

    This sounds like it’s probably a fabulous fail-safe recipe for buttercream … which I definitely could make use of as I’m not so well-versed in these things!
    Your life sounds very full but certainly in a good way at the moment! I only manage to post twice a week anyhow – if I’m lucky to be honest. I don’t know how anyone can keep up more than that with a full-time job!

  8. Becky

    Monet,
    Your cake and frosting are gorgeous, all in two hours, Amamzing! Buttercream is my go to frosting, too. You are certainly a super busy Mom.

  9. Monica

    Good luck with juggling everything on your schedule! I’m glad you made time to make such a delicious-looking cake for your nephew. Happy 10th to him!

  10. Isadora

    Wow! It sounds like you are a busy lady these days! That is so awesome that your are doing birth photography! It sound crazy and amazing at the same time! This cake also looks so delicious! What a lucky nephew you have! Buttercream frosting is my favorite and I could eat this with a spoon 🙂

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