Chocolate Brownie Frosting (6 Ingredients)

If you’re looking to switch up your basic brownie and add a nice elegance to your presentation, this six-ingredient chocolate brownie frosting recipe is for you. The best part of this brownie frosting is that it's easy to make in just 15 minutes.

Enjoy a rich and light textured frosting that pairs perfectly on top of a fudgy brownie and involves minimal cleanup.

• My secret to a light and fluffy chocolate brownie frosting. 
• Two types of cocoa powder to use for chocolate buttercream. 
• Storage instructions in case you want to make the chocolate frosting for brownies ahead of time.

Interested in learning more about baking? Advance your baking knowledge by checking out my top 10 baking secrets guide. 

Unsalted butter: For this recipe, allow the butter to soften to room temperature. For the ideal consistency, the butter should slightly give when you push against it but still hold its overall form. If you choose to use salted butter instead, be sure to adjust the amount of extra salt added.

Confectioners’ sugar: Otherwise known as powdered sugar or icing sugar, this will provide both sweetness and a light and smooth consistency to the frosting. Be sure to measure out the confectioners' sugar and then sift it. Sifting the sugar will ensure there are no clumps, so the chocolate frosting has the best consistency possible. 

Unsweetened cocoa powder: This ingredient adds a rich, chocolate taste to the frosting. If you prefer an even richer, more decadent frosting, substitute unsweetened cocoa powder for a Dutch process cocoa powder.

Heavy cream: The heavy cream helps thin out the buttercream. This is important because it creates a consistency that’s perfect for spreading across brownies. Be sure your heavy cream is as fresh as possible, especially if you want to prepare the frosting ahead of time.

Vanilla extract: This ingredient adds a delicious depth of flavor to the frosting. I recommend purchasing a high-quality vanilla extract like Rodelle for the best flavor. 

Fine sea salt: Salt is an important ingredient in nearly any baking recipe. It helps balance out the sweetness of the buttercream and enhances the flavors of the chocolate and vanilla. 

In just a few minutes, enjoy the tastiest chocolate brownie topping. Here's how to make it.

To begin, start by adding your softened butter into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Turn the mixer on to medium-high speed and beat the butter for about 2-3 minutes until it’s light and fluffy.

Be sure to use a silicone spatula to scrape down the sides of the mixer bowl, so the frosting is evenly whipped. 

Next, lower the speed on the mixer to medium-low and add in the confectioners’ sugar and cocoa powder. Make sure both of these ingredients are sifted before adding them to the butter. This will prevent any clumps of sugar or cocoa powder from ruining the consistency of the frosting. 

With the dry ingredients mixed in, add the heavy cream, vanilla extract, and sea salt, then allow these ingredients fully incorporate. 

For the perfect textured frosting, set the mixer to medium-high speed and allow the buttercream beat for an extra 5 minutes until it's light and fluffy.

Don't cut this time short, if you want a light and easy-to-spread frosting.

Finally, spread the frosting on a 9 x 9-inch pan of brownies using an offset spatula. Using an offset spatula helps spread the frosting evenly and allows you to create a nice wavy pattern across the top of the brownies. 

If you prefer your brownies with chocolate frosting to have a smooth look, dip the offset spatula in a glass of hot water, shake off the excess water, and then slowly and steadily run the spatula along the top of the frosting.

The heat from the water will allow you to manipulate the texture of the frosting for the smoothest result.