Chocolate Buttercream Frosting with Melted Chocolate

by Jessica Selensky on September 19, 2025 0 comments

This Chocolate Buttercream Frosting is made with melted chocolate to create a rich and indulgent frosting. The texture is smooth and creamy without being too heavy.

It’s the perfect topping to your favorite cakes, cupcakes, cookies, brownies and more.

Chocolate buttercream frosting spread in a bowl.

Whether its cakes, cupcakes, cookies or brownies…this frosting is the perfect topping.

It’s decadent, creamy and a chocolate lover’s dream.

By using classic frosting ingredients, this recipe is easy to make and fool-proof.

Ingredient Notes

This frosting requires your typical ingredients. However, there are a few notes that are worth mentioning to create the best chocolate buttercream frosting using melted chocolate.

Salted Butter – You can also use unsalted butter, however, the salt helps to strengthen the chocolate flavor and balance the sweetness.
Cocoa Powder – I have used both unsweetened cocoa powder and a dutch processed cocoa powder. Both work great, just make sure to sift prior to adding into the frosting
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips – You can also use a milk or dark chocolate chip instead. I prefer to use the semi-sweet as it creates the perfect level of sweetness to the frosting.
Powdered Sugar – The key ingredient for creating smooth, stable, and easy-to-spread frostings.
Half & Half or Heavy Cream – Heavy Cream has more richness but both will yield a creamy and luscious frosting.
Vanilla Extract – Vanilla extract is a key ingredient in chocolate frosting because it intensifies the chocolate flavor and adds complexity.

Ingredients measured out in bowls to make the chocolate frosting.

What makes this the best chocolate frosting?

The flavor of this chocolate buttercream is incredibly. By using melted chocolate, it adds a richness that cocoa powder alone cannot achieve.

Also, the texture of the frosting makes it irresistible. It is perfect for cakes, cupcakes, cookies, brownies and more. It’s thick, smooth and creamy.

Want to try some other frosting recipes? My Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting and Whipped Chocolate Frosting are also incredibly delicious.

Know Before You Start

There are a few tips and tricks that are helpful for making a perfect frosting.

Use softened butter. You don’t want the butter to be cold or melted when making a frosting. It should be just softened to room temperature so that it creams easily.
Sift the cocoa powder. This will ensure that there are no clumps in the frosting and that it is as smooth as can be.
Cool the melted chocolate. It is important to let the melted chocolate cool prior to adding. This prevents the chocolate from melting the butter and creating a greasy, runny consistency.

Step by Step Process for Making Chocolate Buttercream using Melted Chocolate

The full-detailed instructions are written out in the recipe card below. Use these images to help guide you as needed when following the directions.

Softened butter in a mixing bowl. — Add the softened butter to a bowl

Creamed butter in a bowl. — Add the softened butter to a bowl

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of chocolate can you use in this frosting?

My preferred chocolate to use is a semi-sweet chocolate. However, milk and a variety of dark chocolates will work as well. Also, while quality of chocolate will vary, any should work in this recipe and will taste delicious.

How many cupcakes/how much cake will this frost?

This recipe should cover about 12 cupcakes (generously) or more if you don’t like too much frosting. For a cake, this will cover about a 9-inch cake on the top and sides.

Why isn’t my frosting smooth?

Make sure to sift the cocoa powder to avoid any clumps in the frosting. Also, if you heat the chocolate too quickly in the microwave, it could seize, giving it a grainy, rather than smooth, appearance. If this happens, toss out the chocolate and start over or your frosting will be an unpleasing texture.

What tastes best with chocolate buttercream?

See a few of my recipe suggestions below in the “Related Chocolate Recipes” box for desserts that pair well with this frosting.

How to store chocolate buttercream?

To store chocolate buttercream frosting, place it in a tightly sealed, airtight container and store it at room temperature for a few hours, in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, or in the freezer for up to two months.

Can you freeze chocolate buttercream frosting?

Yes, keep it in an airtight container then store in the freezer for up to 2 months. Remove from the freezer a day prior to using it and put in the fridge overnight. Next, remove it from the fridge to bring to room temperature. Give it a nice whip in a stand mixer or with electric beaters to get the texture to be nice and fluffy again.