This Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting is silky smooth, soft and fluffy, and perfect for piping onto cupcakes or layering between a chocolate cake.
If you love Cream Cheese Frosting this is one step up from that! It has the same silky smooth texture and that delicious tangy flavor but with chocolate – how could you say no?
If you were to rank Chocolate Frostings this Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe would definitely be at the tippy top! It’s not as sweet as Chocolate Buttercream which means you can use so much more to layer up a chocolate cake without it being overpowering.
What goes with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting?
- Chocolate Cake – Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting is in my opinion the best frosting to use for chocolate cake. It’s not too sweet so it pairs really well with a rich chocolate cake.
- Banana Cake – Chocolate and banana, one of the best combinations!
- Chocolate Cupcakes – For a silkier frosting you can use Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting instead of Chocolate Buttercream.
- Vanilla Cake – Switch up your vanilla frosting with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting!
- Macarons – Pipe the frosting between macaron shells for chocolatey goodness!
Tips for Piping Cream Cheese Frosting
If you are piping the frosting onto cupcakes or onto a cake, to get a better consistency only add about 1 tablespoon of milk, not the full 2 tablespoons. When you have made the frosting place it into the fridge for about 30 minutes to chill. The chilled frosting will hold it’s shape so much better!
Ingredients for Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
8 oz / 250g Cream Cheese – Light or spreadable cream cheese wont work in this recipe. Make sure to let the cream cheese come up to room temperature before making the frosting.
1 Stick / 1/2 Cup / 113g Butter – Salted or unsalted butter both work for this recipe. If you are using unsalted butter add about 1/4 tsp of salt to the frosting. The salt helps to bring out the chocolate flavor.
3 Cups / 375g Powdered Sugar / Icing Sugar / Confectioners Sugar – These are all the same ingredient just different names in different parts of the world.
1/2 Cup / 50g Cocoa Powder – Use unsweetned high quality cocoa powder for the best flavor. Cocoa powder can tend to clump up so use a sieve to remove any lumps if this is an issue.
1-2 Tbsp Milk – The milk is for thinning out the consistency of the chocolate cream cheese frosting. You will want it thicker if you are piping and thinner if you are spreading it on a cake. Only add a small amount at a time.
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
How to Make Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
In the bowl of a stand mixer or in a large bowl if you are using a hand mixer add the room temperature butter. Beat on medium speed for about 2 minutes or until the butter is light and fluffy.
Add the cream cheese to the bowl and beat with the butter for a further minute until combined.
Add the powdered sugar and cocoa powder to the mixing bowl. Beat on low speed – watch out for the sugar cloud! The frosting will look very thick and clumpy but continue to mix until all of the sugar and cocoa powder have been combined.
With the machine running slowly pour in the milk. You may not need all of the milk if you are wanting a thicker consistency to the frosting so only add half at first and the rest if you need more.
Use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add in the vanilla and give the frosting a final mix for about a minute or two or until it has lightened in colour and is smooth and silky.
Common Questions about Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
Does Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting need to be Refrigerated?
No, the sugar in the frosting will keep it stable and safe at room temperature for about 2-3 days. Depending what you use your frosting on you may want to keep it in the fridge.
Can Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting be Frozen?
Yes, you can freeze most frostings. To freeze, place the frosting in an airtight container or freezer bag and put in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you are ready to use the frosting, remove it from the freezer and thaw at room temperature. Beat it with a hand mixer or in a stand mixer for 2-3 minutes before using.
Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
This Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting is silky smooth, soft and fluffy, and perfect for piping onto cupcakes or layering between a chocolate cake.
Ingredients
- 1 Stick / 1/2 Cup / 113g Butter
- 8oz / 225g Cream Cheese
- 3 Cups / 375g Powdered Sugar / Icing Sugar / Confectioners Sugar
- 1/2 Cup / 50g Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer or a large bowl if you are using a hand mixer add the room temperature butter. Beat on medium speed for about 2-3 minutes with the beater attachment. The butter should turn light and creamy and almost doubled in volume.
- Turn the mixer off and add the room temperature cream cheese, Mix again for a further minute or two until the cream cheese and butter is well combined.
- Turn the mixer off and add the sugar and cocoa powder to the bowl. Watch out here as you will end up with a bit of a sugar cloud!
- Turn the mixer back on to a low speed to incorporate the sugar and cocoa powder. It will look very clumpy and dry at first until the sugar has been combined.
- With the mixer on low slowly add half of the milk. If you are piping the chocolate cream cheese frosting you will want it thicker than if you are spreading it over a cake. You can always add more milk to thin it out but it's really hard to thicken it up.
- Turn the mixer off and use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the vanilla extract.
- Turn the mixer back on to a medium speed and beat for a further 1-2 minutes or until the frosting is light and fluffy.
Refrigeration Instructions
Cover the bowl the frosting is in and place it into the fridge for up to 5 days. Before using the frosting let it come up to room temperature and beat for a few minutes.
Freezing Instructions
To freeze the frosting place it into an airtight container or freezer bag and place it into the freezer for up to 3 months. When you are ready to use the frosting let it defrost fully at room temperature before beating it for a few minutes before using.
Notes
The frosting can be kept in the fridge for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
If you would like to make regular cream cheese frosting you can find the recipe here.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 4207Total Fat: 174gSaturated Fat: 104gTrans Fat: 4gUnsaturated Fat: 51gCholesterol: 470mgSodium: 1446mgCarbohydrates: 657gFiber: 10gSugar: 611gProtein: 25g
Nutrition Information is estimated and not always accurate