By Becky Hardin
Published Dec 8, 2021
Whenever my mom helps me develop a recipe, I know it’s going to be amazing, and this chocolate fudge frosting is no exception. As a certified chocoholic, I can vouch for this one. Real melted chocolate is the secret to a rich and fudgy frosting– the darker, the better! This frosting is not for the faint of heart!
This chocolate fudge frosting is my favorite frosting of all time– no joke! It’s the one I remember most from my childhood, and I can’t think of any other frosting I’d want on my birthday cake. It’s creamy, full of chocolate flavor, and super easy to make!
What’s in This Chocolate Fudge Frosting Recipe?
- Butter: Unsalted butter forms the creamy base of this frosting.
- Chocolate: Unsweetened chocolate adds rich chocolate flavor. I always look for unsweetened chocolate baking bars or 100% cacao chocolate bars. You can use cocoa powder instead, but you will need to dissolve 1 ounce (28 grams, or about 5 tablespoons) with the butter.
- Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the frosting and helps give it structure.
- Vanilla Extract : Enhances the sweetness of the frosting.
- Milk: Helps thin the frosting to a spreadable consistency.
- Salt: Kosher salt enhances the chocolate flavor of the frosting.
Tips for Success
- Do not allow the butter to come to a full boil. You just want to melt the butter and chocolate together.
- Scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl to fully incorporate your ingredients.
- If your frosting is too thick, add a teaspoon of milk at a time to thin it out.
- Give your frosting time to set and thicken up before using. It will hold its shape!
How to Store
Store leftover chocolate fudge frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. I do not recommend freezing this frosting.
Serving Suggestions
I love to add this chocolate fudge frosting to my favorite chocolate cupcakes , but it’s also great on chocolate angel food cake , turtle cake, brownies , or chocolate butter cookies .
5-Star Review
“Recipe was spot on – just follow the instructions and be sure to scrape the sides in between mixing! loved it!” -Jenna
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ ½ cup unsalted butter 113 grams (1 stick)
- ▢ 1 ounce unsweetened chocolate 28 grams
- ▢ 16 ounces powdered sugar 454 grams (1 pound)
- ▢ ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2 grams
- ▢ ¼ cup milk 57 grams, plus extra to thin the frosting as needed
- ▢ ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Melt the chocolate and butter together over low heat in a saucepan or in the microwave. Let the mixture cool after melting. ½ cup unsalted butter, 1 ounce unsweetened chocolate
- In a large mixing bowl, using a hand or stand mixer, beat the powdered sugar, vanilla, milk, and salt together on medium-low speed until the sugar has dissolved. 16 ounces powdered sugar, ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract, ¼ cup milk, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- Slowly add the melted butter/chocolate mixture and beat on low speed until well incorporated and smooth. If needed, add 1 teaspoon of milk at a time to reach desired consistency.
- Cover and set frosting aside until thick and spreadable.
- Pipe or use a knife to frost cake or cupcakes.
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- Hand Mixer OR
- Stand Mixer
- Piping Tip Set (optional)
Becky’s Tips
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Frosting Recipes to Try!
Chocolate Buttercream Frosting Recipe
Vanilla Frosting
Royal Icing Recipe
Chocolate Fudge Frosting Recipe
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- Hand Mixer OR
- Stand Mixer
- Piping Tip Set (optional)
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter 113 grams (1 stick)
- 1 ounce unsweetened chocolate 28 grams
- 16 ounces powdered sugar 454 grams (1 pound)
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2 grams
- ¼ cup milk 57 grams, plus extra to thin the frosting as needed
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Melt the chocolate and butter together over low heat in a saucepan or in the microwave. Let the mixture cool after melting. ½ cup unsalted butter, 1 ounce unsweetened chocolate
- In a large mixing bowl, using a hand or stand mixer, beat the powdered sugar, vanilla, milk, and salt together on medium-low speed until the sugar has dissolved. 16 ounces powdered sugar, ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract, ¼ cup milk, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- Slowly add the melted butter/chocolate mixture and beat on low speed until well incorporated and smooth. If needed, add 1 teaspoon of milk at a time to reach desired consistency.
- Cover and set frosting aside until thick and spreadable.
- Pipe or use a knife to frost cake or cupcakes.
Notes
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
