How Do You Make Chocolate Buttercream?

Decorating By nesha Updated 9 Oct 2006 , 6:39pm by MSurina

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nesha Posted 26 Sep 2006 , 6:42pm
post #1 of 23

I have a chocolate cake that I have to do for this weekend and I was wondering how do you make chocolate buttercream? I'm not sure if you do it the same as regular buttercream and you just add cocoa powder, if so what kind; sweetened or unsweetened. I appreciate the feedback and an excellent recipe so that it tastes as good as my white buttercream. THANKS!!!

22 replies
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CakeCraze Posted 26 Sep 2006 , 6:50pm
post #2 of 23

Oh my gosh...the Chocolate Buttercream Dream recipe from this site is to die for. I made it for the first time this weekend and it was an absolute hit!

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PaulaT Posted 26 Sep 2006 , 6:52pm
post #3 of 23

You can use the same bc recipe and add cocoa powder and increase your liquid a little until it is the right consistency for icing the cake. You can also use a 1 oz. square of melted chocolate. Hope that helps.

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KHalstead Posted 26 Sep 2006 , 6:52pm
post #4 of 23

I use my regular buttercream recipe and just add about 1/3 to 1/2 c. of unsweetened cocoa powder to the recipe before I add in all of the powdered sugar....then just taste it....sometimes it's nice to add some melted chocolate as well......keep tasting til you get it as strongly flavored as you'd like it!

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monizcel Posted 26 Sep 2006 , 7:33pm
post #5 of 23

I was thinking of using Hershey Special Dark Chocolate Bars as my chocolate. Can you use any type of chocolate (milk, dark, etc) to melt to add to buttercream?

If adding cocco can it be baking cocco?

Thanks

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jmt1714 Posted 26 Sep 2006 , 10:17pm
post #6 of 23

toba garrett's 1st book "the well decorated cake" has a great recipe for chocolate buttercream . . . you can find it on epicurious.com - just search under "chocolate buttercream" - it usually pops up as the second recipe

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flameon58 Posted 26 Sep 2006 , 10:50pm
post #7 of 23

I will second the Toba Garrett chocolate buttercream. It has a combination of cocoa and chocolate ganache. When I make this for non-work cakes, I use the Kaluha. For work, I add heavy cream or Creme Brulee coffeemate.

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sweet_as_tisse Posted 27 Sep 2006 , 1:50am
post #8 of 23

can't you buy chocolate confectioners sugar in the US, we have it in australia, it is the same as normal confectioners sugar except its brown in color.

kylie

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redbird Posted 27 Sep 2006 , 1:58am
post #9 of 23

No, I've never seen chocolate confectioners sugar anywhere in the USA.

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Melvira Posted 27 Sep 2006 , 2:00am
post #10 of 23

The search for decent tasting chocolate buttercream that has the right consistency for piping and decorating has vexed me for ages. In my opinion, using your regular BC recipe and adding cocoa powder tastes foul. It's too bitter and not chocolatey enough. If someone is really sold on a chocolate frosting recipe that ACTUALLY tastes like chocolate, but works like regular BC I will be your pal of you refer me to it!!

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madicakes Posted 27 Sep 2006 , 2:01am
post #11 of 23
Quote:
Originally Posted by matisse

can't you buy chocolate confectioners sugar in the US, we have it in australia, it is the same as normal confectioners sugar except its brown in color.

kylie




Unfortunately we can't get this in the US anymore for some reason. I remember it being sold years ago, but it's not anymore. It made the best chocolate icing.

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RitzyFritz Posted 27 Sep 2006 , 2:15am
post #12 of 23
Quote:
Originally Posted by jmt1714

's 1st book "the well decorated cake" has a great recipe for chocolate buttercream . . . you can find it on epicurious.com - just search under "chocolate buttercream" - it usually pops up as the second recipe




Now I have a question about the above. I did look up the TG recipe, and it sounds "to die for!" However, it calles for a chocolate liqueur. I did find a recipe for homemade chocolate liqueuer; HOWEVER it calls for vodka. We do not consume any kind of liqueur and so wondered if there is anything that could be substituted for the chocolate liqueur OR the vodka in the homemade chocolate liqueur recipe. I know...lots of questions. Sorry! Thanks in advance for the help.

By the way, the homemade chocolate liqueur recipe I found is copied below. It is from www.dianasdesserts.com.

To Make Homemade Chocolate Liqueur:

CHOCOLATE LIQUEUR

Makes: 1 pint

INGREDIENTS:
2 tsp. Pure chocolate extract
1/2 tsp. Pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cup Vodka
1/2 cup Sugar syrup (see recipe below))
1/2 tsp. Fresh mint or a drop Peppermint extract, optional

To Make:
Mix all ingredients and let mature 2 weeks. The chocolate tends to settle on the bottom and may need to be stirred before serving. Finished version will tend to be thin, but is still quite tasty and excellent for mixing in coffee or pouring over desserts. Add glycerine to thicken if desired.

Tip: For chocolate mint, add 1/2 teaspoon fresh mint and a few drops of peppermint extract. Let mature 2 additional weeks.

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RitzyFritz Posted 27 Sep 2006 , 2:25am
post #13 of 23

I found my own answer!!! YIPEE!!! In case you want to know about alcoholic substitutes too, see this site! Excellent resource, and I'm so glad to find it as I have wondered this many times when seeing a recipe that I wouldn't make because of the alcohol ingredient! I'm a happy camper with this info!

http://www.recipetips.com/kitchen-tips/t-1-904/Alcohol-Substitutions.asp

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nesha Posted 27 Sep 2006 , 5:27pm
post #14 of 23

Thanks for your help. I think I'll check out the recipe on this site.

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lcottington Posted 27 Sep 2006 , 5:36pm
post #15 of 23

I just tried and got raves about the chocolate buttercream recipe on this site that uses Hersheys syrup as part of the recipe...it spread great (wouldn't be great for heavy duty piping) and was very yummy!

Good luck.

Lisanne

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tiggy2 Posted 27 Sep 2006 , 5:45pm
post #16 of 23
Quote:
Originally Posted by lcottington

I just tried and got raves about the chocolate buttercream recipe on this site that uses Hersheys syrup as part of the recipe...it spread great (wouldn't be great for heavy duty piping) and was very yummy!

Good luck.

Lisanne


I used this recipe and it was so yummy. It is my new chocolate BC now.

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Ksue Posted 27 Sep 2006 , 5:52pm
post #17 of 23

I always melt the butter first, then stir in the unsweetened cocoa powder 'til smooth. This goes into the mixing bowl with a bit of Crisco (if it's hot and humid out) and salt, then add the powdered sugar, vanilla and cream, as usual. Always yummy. Sometimes I'll add instant coffee to the melted butter and cocoa if I'm looking for mocha.

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nesha Posted 27 Sep 2006 , 6:01pm
post #18 of 23

In the recipe chocolate buttercream dream I was wanting to know do I have to use the chocolate candy melts or can I use milk chocolate chips and to I have to use the oil, cause I've never heard of that before?

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dogluvr Posted 28 Sep 2006 , 12:54am
post #19 of 23

What I found to be really yuumy is add Hershey's Cocoa powder to buttercream icing....is is very delicious

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nesha Posted 4 Oct 2006 , 5:07pm
post #20 of 23

Oh my goodness,
That recipe for the chocolate buttercream dream was truly a dream the flavor was perfect I think I might even start using that recipe for my regular buttercream without the chocolate. I really appreciate the help the person I made it for LOVED it. THANKS AGAIN!!!

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bakincakin Posted 4 Oct 2006 , 5:23pm
post #21 of 23

Nesha,

Did you change the chocolate melts to chips and omit the oil?

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nesha Posted 9 Oct 2006 , 6:14pm
post #22 of 23

Yes kaka, I used chips instead because I couldn't find any melts in the flavor I needed and I omitted the oil.

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MSurina Posted 9 Oct 2006 , 6:39pm
post #23 of 23

Where can I find the recipe using hershey's syrup? I did a search but I still can't find it!! Thanks

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