Chocolate Fudge Frosting (2024)

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This silky-smooth chocolate fudge frosting will remind you of that classic canned frosting but without any of the preservatives. It’s the perfect indulgent chocolate frosting to keep on hand for your favorite cake. It pairs perfectly with a deep chocolate cake, a classic yellow layer cake, or any of your favorite treats!Chocolate Fudge Frosting (1)

Homemade fluffy chocolate fudge frosting is super simple to make using staple ingredients you probably have in your pantry. Two kinds of chocolate and butter make this super rich and easy to spread. I much prefer it over a tub of store-bought frosting, and you can whip it up in under 10 minutes total. The perfect complement to cake or just dipping with pretzels or graham crackers.

Ingredients

There are 2 types ofcocoa powder,dutch process cocoa powder and natural cocoa powder. A Dutch-process cocoa powder has a noticeably darker hue and will result in a dark chocolate frosting. Dutch process cocoa also has a smoother, more mellow flavor that's often associated with earthy, woodsy notes. Dutch-process cocoa powder starts with cocoa beans that have been washed in an alkaline solution of potassium carbonate, which neutralizes their acidity. So, dutch-process cocoa powder is neutral. Because it is neutral, it does not react with baking soda.

Coffeeenhances the chocolate flavor, giving the frosting a richer flavor. Coffee is optional, you can use hot water or milk instead if you prefer.

Corn syrupadds a glossiness to the frosting that makes it shiny. It also adds a little sweetness and keeps it from setting up too hard.

Making Chocolate Fudge Frosting

  1. Add the chocolate chips, coffee, vanilla, and corn syrup to a microwave-safe bowl.Chocolate Fudge Frosting (2)
  2. Melt the chocolate mixture together in the microwave. Heat for 30 seconds and stir and then heat in 10-second increments and stir until it is fully melted and smooth. Let the chocolate mixture cool, but not harden.Chocolate Fudge Frosting (3)
  3. Mix the butter, sugar, cocoa powder, and salt in the bowl of your stand mixer with the paddle on high speed for about 1 minute until light and fluffy. You can also use a large bowl and an electric mixer if you prefer.Chocolate Fudge Frosting (4)
  4. Add the cooled chocolate mixture to the butter mixture and mix until it is smooth and fluffy. The desired consistency of the frosting will be different depending on the temperature. If it is too stiff, warm it up slightly in the microwave and stir. If it is too soft let it sit in the refrigerator for a few minutes to set up.Chocolate Fudge Frosting (5)
  5. The frosting can be used immediately to frost a cake or put into a piping bag for decorations. Chocolate Fudge Frosting (6)
  6. Cover it with plastic wrap and stored it at room temperature for 3 days. If you plan to keep it longer, keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer.Chocolate Fudge Frosting (7)

FAQ

What's the difference between chocolate frosting and chocolate buttercream?

Chocolate buttercream is made by adding chocolate to a buttercream recipe. You can make chocolate buttercream from Swiss buttercream, American buttercream, and Italian buttercream and just add the melted chocolate and cocoa powder to any recipe. Buttercream has a creamy consistency, light and airy. The chocolate fudge icing flavor is much more intense and the consistency is thicker and fudgy, not as much air is whipped into it.

Does chocolate fudge icing need to be refrigerated?

This frosting does not need to be refrigerated if you are going to use it right away. As long as the frosting is covered or stored appropriately it is ok to be stored at room temperature for a couple of days. I recommend refrigerating it if you are not going to use it within 2-3 days as it does contain butter.

What is fudge icing made of?

This chocolate fudge frosting recipe is made with butter, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, salt, corn syrup, coffee, vanilla, and chocolate chips. Some recipes use heavy cream to make the frosting more like American buttercream, but this stays nice and soft, doesn't crust, and is extra luscious and shiny.

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Recipe

Chocolate Fudge Frosting (8)

Chocolate Fudge Frosting

This homemade chocolate frosting recipe comes together quickly with just a few ingredients! The best chocolate fudge frosting has a classic fudgy texture with an ultra-rich, deep chocolatey flavor. You’ll eat it with or without cake!

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Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: 8 cups

Calories: 863kcal

Author: Elizabeth Marek

Equipment

  • 1 Stand mixer with the paddle attachment or an electric hand mixer

Ingredients

  • 2 cups unsalted butter softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 cup cocoa powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup corn syrup
  • ¼ cup coffee
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups semisweet chocolate

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Add the chocolate chips, coffee, vanilla, and corn syrup to a microwave-safe bowl.

  • Melt the chocolate mixture together in the microwave. Heat for 30 seconds and stir and then heat in 10-second increments and stir until it is fully melted and smooth. Let the chocolate mixture cool, but not harden.

  • Mix the butter, sugar, cocoa powder, and salt in the bowl of your stand mixer with the paddle on high speed for about 1 minute until light and fluffy. You can also use a large bowl and an electric mixer if you prefer.

  • Add the cooled chocolate mixture to the butter mixture and mix until it is smooth and fluffy.

    The desired consistency of the frosting will be different depending on the temperature. If it is too stiff, warm it up slightly in the microwave and stir. If it is too soft let it sit in the refrigerator for a few minutes to set up.

  • The frosting can be used immediately to frost a cake or put into a piping bag for decorations.

  • Cover it with plastic wrap and stored it at room temperature for 3 days. If you plan to keep it longer, keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer.

Notes

  1. As long as the frosting is covered or stored appropriately it is ok to be stored at room temperature for a couple of days. I recommend refrigerating it if you are not going to use it within 2-3 days as it does contain butter.
  2. A Dutch-process cocoa powder has a noticeably darker hue and will result in a dark chocolate frosting. Dutch process cocoa also has a smoother, more mellow flavor that's often associated with earthy, woodsy notes.
  3. Coffeeenhances the chocolate flavor, giving the frosting a richer flavor. Coffee is optional, you can use hot water or milk instead if you prefer.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 863kcal | Carbohydrates: 76g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 64g | Saturated Fat: 40g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 125mg | Sodium: 172mg | Potassium: 430mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 62g | Vitamin A: 1440IU | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 4mg

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Chocolate Fudge Frosting (2024)

FAQs

What is chocolate fudge icing made of? ›

This chocolate fudge frosting recipe is made with butter, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, salt, corn syrup, coffee, vanilla, and chocolate chips. Some recipes use heavy cream to make the frosting more like American buttercream, but this stays nice and soft, doesn't crust, and is extra luscious and shiny.

Why is my chocolate fudge frosting so runny? ›

If you are making a chocolate frosting, adding more cocoa powder is a great option for thickening it. The technique is basically the same as if you were thickening with powdered sugar, but you want to use a smaller quantity of cocoa powder than icing sugar. Try adding just 1 to 2 teaspoon at a time.

How to use Pillsbury chocolate fudge frosting? ›

Stir frosting in can before using. Spread on cooled cake. Store frosted cake loosely covered. Cover and refrigerate any remaining frosting for up to 2 weeks.

Can you pipe Betty Crocker chocolate fudge icing? ›

Very rich and tasty finish to cupcakes, just pipe onto the cupcakes after cooling. And decirate when fudge icing has set .

What's the difference between fudge and chocolate fudge? ›

Although fudge often contains chocolate, fudge is not the same as chocolate. Chocolate is a mix of cocoa solids, cocoa butter and sometimes sugar and other flavorings and is hard and brittle. Fudge is a mixture of sugar, dairy and flavorings that is cooked and cooled to form a smooth, semi-soft confection.

Why is my chocolate fudge frosting grainy? ›

Heat that's too high will cause your chocolate to seize and turn grainy and you'll have to start over.

How do you thicken fudge frosting? ›

Dry/thick ingredients like cocoa powder, freeze dried fruit (powder,) and peanut butter will help thicken frosting, while vanilla and brown butter should be added sparingly to make sure it's the right texture. Storage Tips: Once you achieve the perfect consistency, store your frosting in an airtight container.

What is the difference between ganache and fudge frosting? ›

Although the two are made from similar ingredients, they'll wind up with different consistencies. Ganache might solidify slightly but will remain smooth as a filling or icing. Fudge, meanwhile, will be soft enough to easily bite into while being solid enough to hold its shape after it has time to set up.

Will powdered sugar thicken fudge? ›

How to thicken your fudge? If your fudge it noticeably thin, you may want to add more chocolate. If you are out of chocolate, you can also add 1/4-1/2 cup of powdered sugar. This, however, can make the fudge very sweet.

Should I whip my Pillsbury frosting? ›

Always begin by scraping the frosting into a mixing bowl and stirring vigorously or mixing with a mixer until smooth and creamy. This simple step of incorporating air into a can of dense store-bought frosting will make it fluffy and enhance the flavor.

What are the ingredients in Pillsbury chocolate fudge frosting? ›

Sugar, Water, Palm Oil, Corn Syrup, Cocoa Processed With Alkali, Corn Starch, Canola Oil, Contains 2% Or Less Of: Salt, Mono And Diglycerides, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Natural And Artificial Flavor, Polysorbate 60, Modified Corn Starch, Potassium Sorbate (Preservative), Citric Acid, Soy Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, ...

Does Pillsbury chocolate fudge frosting need to be refrigerated? ›

Once opened, cover and refrigerate any unused frosting for up to two weeks.

How to make Pillsbury icing better? ›

You can add texture and flavor to your store-bought icing by mixing in your favorite fruit preserves, nuts or candies. These additions are great if you're using store-bought icing to add a layer of frosting between cake layers.

How to make Betty Crocker frosting easier to spread? ›

  1. Add liquid and whip it up with a whisk or your mixer.
  2. In the rare instance where I use canned frosting, I always add a bit of real vanilla extract (even to chocolate icing). ...
  3. Scoop the frosting out of the can, add 1–2 tsp of vanilla, then take a whisk or hand-mixer to it.
Jun 22, 2021

What is chocolate fudge made of? ›

This Easy Chocolate Fudge recipe is made with just 3 ingredients! Chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk and vanilla come together to make a homemade fudge that's bursting with chocolate flavor. It's a simple treat to put together for gifts and sharing this holiday season.

What are the ingredients to Pillsbury chocolate fudge frosting? ›

Sugar, Water, Palm Oil, Corn Syrup, Cocoa Processed With Alkali, Corn Starch, Canola Oil, Contains 2% Or Less Of: Salt, Mono And Diglycerides, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Natural And Artificial Flavor, Polysorbate 60, Modified Corn Starch, Potassium Sorbate (Preservative), Citric Acid, Soy Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, ...

What is chocolate frosting made of? ›

Melt butter. Stir in cocoa. Alternately, add powdered sugar and milk, beating to spreading consistency. Add small amount additional milk, if needed.

What is the difference between chocolate frosting and icing? ›

Frosting is the thickest of these confections and is ideal for spreading or piping on cakes, cupcakes and cookies. Icing is a little thinner than frosting and is often poured or piped over coffee cakes, pound cakes, doughnuts and cookies—and it usually hardens when it dries.

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