Finally, A Black Buttercream That Actually Looks Black!
Decorating By lehall2006 Updated 24 Aug 2006 , 6:11pm by Rambo
I just have to share this mini-triumph with all of you!
I've been trying for months to come up with a black buttercream that actually looks black -- not dark brown, not gray, not some funky version of another color. FINALLY, on Friday, I made it happen! I took some dark chocolate bc, added some additional cocoa powder, and then hit it with a couple of drops of violet gel color. And there it was -- perfectly black frosting that didn't even taste half bad. Success!!! 
Thanks, everyone!
Rambo, I make my dark chocolate bc by melting down an unsweetened chocolate bar with some butter and then mixing it with sugar, milk and vanilla in my KA. I can send you the recipe if you like.
To make the black bc, I put about 1/3 cup of the dark chocolate bc in a dish, added an extra T of cocoa (I use Ghirardelli) and about 3-4 drops of violet gel color. You can see the final color in my photos -- I used it to make the eyes and mouths on the monkey cake.
Thanks! Those monkeys gave me fits, so the positive feedback really makes me smile.
I'm happy to send the chocolate bc recipe to anyone who wants it. 
Mbalis, so happy to hear that! Yeah, it has a fudgey texture that makes it really great for swirly frosting. I hope your customer loved it!
Lauren
Could you send me the recipe also, please??
[email protected]
TIA!
Tammy 
lehall2006 ... Would you mind posting the recipe here? I'd really like to try it. Thanks! 
hi can you post recipe please it is realy something I would like to keep on hand
Hi everyone! I've been hesitating about posting the recipe as it was handed down to me from my mom and she doesn't know who created it. Just want to give credit where it's due, and frankly, I don't know who that person is. Anyway, it's posted below, with apologies to whomever came up with it in the first place.
Oh, and Jasra, yes, I drew the monkeys freehand while looking at a picture and adapting it to my needs. Then I made a chocolate transfer of them, put them on the cake, and covered them in crusting bc that I textured with a toothpick to make the "fur."
Recipe:
This is super simple and makes a dark, fudgey frosting that turns black very easily. The chocolate flavor is intense.
3 oz unsweetened chocolate (I use Ghirardelli)
3 T unsalted butter
3 c. confectioner's sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
whole milk, as needed for consistency
Chop up the chocolate and butter and melt together in the microwave (this usually takes about 1.5 minutes). Check it and stir every 30 seconds so it doesn't get too hot. Cool for about 5 minutes or so.
In your KA, beat the conf sugar with the chocolate until it forms small beads. Then add the vanilla. Add the milk 1 T at a time until you reach the desired consistency. I usually end up adding 3-4 T. Beat on high until fluffy. It makes enough to frost a 9-inch cake.
To make the black, I took about 1/3 c. of the frosting and put it in a small bowl with 1 T of cocoa powder and 3-4 drops of violet gel color. I mixed it by hand and couldn't believe it when it turned black! Best of all, the taste was still quite good.
lehall: I'm planning on making your frosting for a practicte groom's cake tonight and am wondering if it's a good consistancy for piping borders and such? It's a German Chocoalte cake so there will be the coconut/pecan frosting on the sides but I wanted to try your recipe for the top and borders. Thanks again for sharing your recipe with us all, I'm anxious to try it out.
Rambo, yes, you can definitely use this for borders and such, as long as they are not too delicate -- this is a fudgey frosting. You'll just want to make sure you get the right consistency as you add your milk. Also, if you're going to do any string work, you might want to add a bit of light Karo to give it some extra stretch. Have fun and let me know how it goes!
Just finished my practice grooms cake. Your frosting piped beautifully and tastes OH SO GOOD. (Please note my quote to get full aspect of my relationship with chocolate.) Now if only I could get the shaved chocolate to actually curl. 
At least it'll taste delicious.
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