Fudgy Chocolate Frosting Recipe

Fudgy chocolate frosting is a deliciously rich, smooth and creamy topping which is perfect for cakes, cupcakes, and brownies. You can also eat it as it is ;).

Fudgy chocolate frosting is made up of easily available pantry ingredients like butter, sugar, salt and REAL CHOCOLATE.

As this frosting is made with real chocolate, it has an intense chocolate flavor that everyone will relish. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just want to take your dessert to next level, this is the fudgy chocolate frosting you should use!

I will tell you for sure that you will never ever but frosting tub from any grocery store once you make this at home. So, let's not wait any further and see what do we need to make this delicious, chocolatey frosting.

Why you will love this recipe?

• Prepared with easily available pantry ingredients.
• Uses only 5 ingredients.
• You can make in advance.
• Can be used on variety of desserts.
• Single bowl recipe.
• Can be made under 10 minutes.
• Way better than store bought tub of frosting.

Ingredients you will need

Unsalted Butter - Use any brands unsalted butter. Just make sure it is at room temperature and not cold. If you do not have unsalted butter it is ok to use regular salted one but just skip the salt in that case.

Icing Sugar - It is also referred as powdered sugar or confectioners sugar. You can use any store bought brand or you can also make homemade powdered sugar.

Semi Sweet Chocolate - I prefer to use semi sweet chocolate over dark or bittersweet as I like my frosting to be sweet. Please feel free to use other varieties based on your choice. Replace as 1:1 substitute. Whichever you choose make sure you are using high quality chocolate and not the compound chocolate. My personal favorite is Hershey's or Ghirardelli.

Vanilla Extract - I am a big fan of vanilla extract. In my opinion, it always enhances the level of any dessert and it goes with almost everything.

Salt - As I always say, salt will always improves the taste of any dessert. Even the tiny amount of salt makes lot of difference. but if you are using salted butter then please skip the salt altogether as it may make the frosting little salty.

Any Substitution?

Semi sweet chocolate: - You may substitute Semi sweet chocolate with dark or bittersweet or milk chocolate. I have not tried with white chocolate yet. Please let me know if you try with that :)

Tools Needed

1. Microwave
2. Mixing Bowls
3. Measuring cups and spoons
4. Weighing Scale
5. Rubber Spatula
6. Hand Beater ( You can use stand mixer is making in large quantities)

Fudgy Chocolate Frosting Recipe - Overview

I have given you detailed step-by-step instructions for my favorite fudgy frosting (with images) but let's take a overview of how it is prepared before we even start.

Sr. No.	Steps
1	Melt the chocolate and keep it aside.
2	Cream butter and sugar.
3	Add vanilla extract, salt and cooled melted chocolate.
4	Beat it together and it is ready.

How to make fudgy chocolate frosting (step-by-step) recipe ?

1. Place chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl.
2. Heat in the microwave (on low power) by 30 second intervals. Stir in between each interval until the chocolate is completely smooth and melted. You can also do this in a double-boiler. Once melted, set aside and let it cool.

3. In a large mixing bowl, add unsalted butter and beat until light and fluffy using hand beater.
4. Now it is time to add icing sugar. Add in the confectioners' sugar AKA icing sugar, a little bit at a time, beating until it has been incorporated into the butter.

5. Increase speed to medium-high once all of the sugar is added, beat for 1 minute.
6. Reduce the speed and add in vanilla extract and salt. Beat until it is just combined.

7. Now add cooled melted chocolate (from step 1) and continue beating until well combined. Scrape the bowl from sides and bottom once.
8. Beat for few more minutes and our fudgy chocolate frosting is ready.

9. You can spread it over sheet of cake or pipe using your favorite frosting tip. I am using 1M here (this one is my favorite ;)).

Fudge Frosting Consistency

Consistency of fudgy frosting should be smooth, non-runny and pipeable. Here are few things you can look for:

1. Thickness - It should be thick enough to put on cakes or cupcakes using frosting tips but at the same time it should be smooth and spreadable.
2. Texture - It should be smooth enough so that you can spread it easily over sheet cake

If it is too thick then you can warm it up a bit and beat for few minutes. If it is runny then keep it in refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes and beat again for couple of minutes and it is ready to use. Follow my tips to make the fudgy chocolate frosting with perfect consistency every single time.

Fudgy chocolate frosting serving suggestions

You can spread the frosting over your favorite cakes or a slab of brownies. This fudgy frosting is pipeable so you also pipe using your favorite tip. Sometimes, I directly take it straight from the bowl and enjoy :). So, the choice is yours :) Tell me how you would like to use it.

What is the shelf life?

You can easily store this at room temperature for coupe of days. You can also store in refrigerator in an air tight container for 4 to 5 days or freeze it for 2 to 3 weeks. Please have a look at my storing and freezing instructions here.

Making the fudgy chocolate frosting ? (video)

https://youtu.be/3U2mJFkjRmw?si=N0ZigSc5ROFOh4ET

Chocolate frosting - storing and freezing

Storing instructions

Storing and freezing instructions are quite similar to any other frosting you make.

You can keep the frosting at room temperature or in the refrigerator or in the freezer. Just make sure you are covering it with plastic wrap and storing it in air tight container. This will save it from any odor.

You can store at room temperature for couple of days, for 4 to 5 days in the fridge and approximately about 4 weeks in the freezer.

if you keep in refrigerator then bring it to room temperature (this might take couple of hours) and beat it again for couple of minutes.

Freezing instructions

If you want to make the frosting ahead of time then you can surely do so. Make sure you are keeping it in air tight container and covered with plastic wrap. You can freeze the frosting up to 1 month. Thaw it overnight in refrigerator and beat for couple of minutes before using.

Sr. No.	Storage Type	Days/Weeks/Months
1	Room Temperature	1 to 2 days
2	Refrigerator	4 to 5 days
3	Freezer	1 Months

Frequently asked questions

What can I use fudge frosting for? You can use this fudgy chocolate frosting on cakes, cupcakes or brownies or enjoy as is.

Can I make ahead of time? - Absolutely. You can definitely make it ahead of time. Please have a look at my storing and freeing instructions for all the details.

Can I freeze this frosting? Yes. I have given the details steps to freeze the frosting here.

Can I double this recipe? Yes, you can. I have used hand mixer to make the recipe as it was in small quantity. You can use stand mixer if you are making in large quantity.

Why is my frosting runny? If butter is too softened or your melted chocolate is still on warmer side, frosting may turn runny. Don't worry, you can fix it easily. Just pop it in refrigerator for approximately 20-30 minutes. Take it out and beat it again for couple of minutes.

Expert tips to make fudgy frosting every time

• Use high quality chocolate - Make sure to use high quality chocolate and not the compound chocolate. My personal favorite is Ghirardelli or Bakers bar. You can easily get these in any grocery stores bakery aisle.

• Room temperature ingredients - To make the perfect frosting, make sure your butter is at room temperature , softened and your melted chocolate is cooled. So, I would suggest to melt the chocolate before starting the recipe. If you are making the frosting in large quantity then make sure chocolate is cooled down before adding to rest of the ingredients.

• Do not overmix - To keep the frosting fudgy, do not overmix. If you over beat the frosting, more air will be incorporated and it will taste like airy chocolate buttercream.

• Chill frosting (if needed) - If frosting turns out to be soft then cover it with plastic wrap and chill in refrigerator for 15-20 mins. Beat it for couple of minutes and it is ready to use.

Request

Over to you :) Please make this fudgy chocolate frosting and let me know how it turns out for you in the comments! I really love hearing from you, and your feedback is very much important to me.

If you post this fudgy frosting recipe to Instagram, do not forget to tag me. Tag @DessertKatta or Hashtag it #DessertKatta

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