I remember the first time I made this cocoa frosting, it instantly became a go-to. It’s smooth, rich, and spreads like a dream. I was amazed at how it added just the right touch of flavor, texture, and color to everything from cakes to cookies. Now, whenever I need to make a dessert extra special, this cocoa frosting recipe is my secret trick. So simple, yet so delicious!
Chocolate Frosting with Cocoa Powder
I’ve always loved baking homemade cakes and cupcakes for birthdays, but I’m not a fan of the mess that comes with it! That’s when I stumbled upon this super easy cocoa frosting recipe, and it changed everything.
One day, I ran out of heavy cream and cream cheese but had some cocoa powder, cornstarch, and butter in the fridge. I figured, why not give cocoa frosting recipe a try? To my surprise, the cocoa frosting turned out even better than I expected, smooth, rich, and absolutely delicious.
Now, this cocoa frosting recipe is my go-to for every cake, and it’s so simple!
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⭐Why You'll Love This Cocoa Frosting
- Rich Chocolate Flavor: Made with quality dark chocolate, this frosting is rich and perfect for chocolate lovers, each bite is a real treat!
- Versatile Use: Whether you're frosting a cake, topping cupcakes, or filling pastries, this frosting works with so many flavors like vanilla, coffee, or mint.
- Customizable: Make it your own! Add espresso for mocha, cinnamon for warmth, or peppermint for a festive twist.
- Perfect for Special Occasions: This frosting makes any cake feel extra fancy and perfect for birthdays, holidays, or special events.
- Elevates Everyday Desserts: Even simple or store-bought desserts feel special with this homemade cocoa frosting.
🧾Cocoa Frosting Ingredients
Here’s the breakdown of what’s in this Cocoa Frosting recipe:
- Dark Chocolate Bar: I love using 70% dark chocolate for its rich, deep flavor with just a hint of bitterness. It makes the frosting less sweet and gives it a smooth, creamy texture.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar balances the chocolate’s bitterness, adding the right amount of sweetness while helping the frosting stay smooth and stable.
- Cornstarch: Cornstarch thickens the frosting, giving it a nice, pudding-like texture that holds its shape perfectly.
- Cocoa Powder: Cocoa powder boosts the chocolate flavor and deepens the color, making the frosting even richer and more chocolatey.
- Salt: A pinch of salt brings out the chocolate’s flavor, cutting through the sweetness and adding depth.
- Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla adds a lovely, aromatic finish that complements the chocolate perfectly.
- Water: Cold water helps dissolve the dry ingredients and keeps the frosting light without adding extra richness.
- Unsalted Butter: Cold unsalted butter makes the frosting silky, rich, and easy to spread, with a beautiful glossy finish. Plus, it lets you control the saltiness.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
👩🏻🍳How to Make Cocoa Frosting
These step-by-step instructions and photos will help you to visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.
1. In a small saucepan, whisk together sugar, cornstarch, cocoa powder, and salt until mixed.
2. Add the cold water while whisking to prevent lumps. Keep whisking until the mixture is smooth.
3. Add the vanilla extract and whisk until smooth.
4. Heat the saucepan over medium, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens and bubbles, about 12-15 minutes. It should be smooth and thick, like pudding.
5. Add grated chocolate and whisk until it melts and combines.
6. Stir in the cold unsalted butter until it melts and the frosting is smooth and glossy.
7. Place the cocoa frosting in a bowl and let it cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally to prevent skin from forming.
8. Once the frosting has cooled and thickened, you can spread it on cakes, cupcakes, or any dessert you like.
💭Tips for Recipe Success
Whisk Dry Ingredients: Make sure to whisk the sugar, cornstarch, cocoa powder, and salt together well before adding water. This keeps the frosting smooth and lump-free.
Cook on Medium Heat: Heat the mixture on medium, stirring constantly to prevent burning and ensure it thickens evenly.
Grated Chocolate for Smoothness: Finely grate the chocolate so it melts quickly and blends in for a silky texture.
Make It Ahead: You can make this frosting ahead and store it in the fridge for up to a week. Just let it come to room temp and stir before using.
Use After Cooling: The frosting spreads best at room temperature. If it gets too firm, let it sit for a bit or give it a quick stir to soften.
Storage: Store leftover cocoa frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week, and allow it to come to room temperature before using.
🍰More Cocoa Recipes to Try!
If you love using cocoa when you are cooking, then check out the following recipes for inspiration:
🍰More Dessert Recipes!
Here are more of my favorite dessert recipes! Try these:
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📖 Recipe
Cocoa Frosting Recipe
Ingredients
- 40 g Dark Chocolate Bar 70%
- 200 g Granulated Sugar
- 55 g Cornstarch
- 22 g Cocoa Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 225 g Cold Water
- 25 g Cold Unsalted Butter
Instructions
- Grate the dark chocolate bar with a grater. Set aside.
- In a small saucepan, whisk together the granulated sugar, cornstarch, cocoa powder, and salt until well combined.
- Gradually pour in the cold water while whisking to avoid lumps. Continue whisking until the mixture is smooth.
- Add the vanilla extra and whisk until well combined.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens and starts to bubble. This will take around 12-15 minutes. The mixture should become smooth and thick, like a pudding.
- Once the mixture has thickened, remove it from the heat and stir in the grated dark chocolate until fully combined.
- Stir in the cold unsalted butter until the butter is completely melted and the frosting is smooth and glossy.
- Place the cocoa frosting in a bowl, and let the frosting cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally to prevent skin from forming on the surface. Once cooled, the frosting will thicken further.
- Once the frosting is completely cooled and thickened, you can spread it on cakes, cupcakes, or any dessert of your choice.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Sandra says
This recipe is easy to follow and the results are amazing. The frosting is so decadent and flavorful.