Easy Chocolate Icing Recipe For Cakes, Cupcakes and Cookies

Written by Roar Elias

A chocolate icing recipe comes in many varieties. We would love for you to upload your own favorite, but here are a few to get you started.

In our house, whenever there's cake, there has to be icing especially if it's chocolate cake. As good as the cake or cupcake may be, the addition of chocolate icing on top just kicks up its flavor a notch. There are plenty of good recipes that will work for most cakes, cupcakes and cookies but my daughter Thea Sophie and I agree that there are only a few that ought to get a 5-star rating.

Types of Chocolate Icing

There are several different types of icing that can be used with cakes and pastries, so your choice really depends on three things: the type of cake you are making, the type of texture you want and the type of icing you are craving for. We usually use a chocolate icing recipe that produces: a) buttercream icing, b) fudge icing, or c) ganache. These are excellent options for cakes, cupcakes and cookies for special occasions and for those days when you simply must give in to your chocolate craving.

Here are chocolate icing recipes you can use:

Chocolate Buttercream

As its name suggests, this icing is buttery smooth, full-flavored, spreads easily and light enough to use with cakes such as sponge or chiffon cakes. This chocolate icing recipe combines butter with shortening for better holding power.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup softened butter
• 1/2 cup solid shortening
• 3 oz. melted unsweetened chocolate
• 4 cups confectioner's sugar, pre-sifted
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/8 cup + 1 tbsp. milk

Directions

1. Cream butter and shortening until incorporated, then gradually add the melted chocolate and vanilla.
2. Set the mixer at medium speed and gradually add the sugar.
3. Make sure the mixture is even by scraping the sides of the bowl.
4. Add the milk gradually until the icing appears light, fluffy and glossy. If it is too dry, add more milk but only in small amounts to prevent the icing from being too soggy.

Use immediately or transfer to a covered container and refrigerate. Make sure to whip the icing before using.

Chocolate Fudge Icing

Fudge icing is more gooey than light, owing to its cooked milk content. Here is a chocolate icing recipe that is rich and wonderfully chocolatey. To make, use:

Ingredients

• 5 tbsps. unsalted butter
• 1 cup dark chocolate, chopped for easy melting
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 cup sugar (add 1/2 cup if using unsweetened chocolate)

Directions

1. In a saucepan over medium fire, mix the butter, milk and sugar.
2. Gradually bring the mixture to a boil while stirring.
3. Turn off fire and remove the pan from heat. Pour in the chips and beat with a wire whip until creamy.

By the time the icing is the right consistency, it will be cool enough to spread or used for piping decorations.

Chocolate Ganache Icing

Ingredients

• 1 cup chopped bittersweet chocolate
• 1 cup cream (use heavy cream)

Directions

1. Over medium fire, heat the cream until it just boils, forming bubbles on the sides. Watch the cream carefully during this process so it does not boil over or curdle at the surface.
2. Once the cream is ready, pour it over the chocolate and stir with a whisk until the chocolate is melted. The result will be a smooth, glossy, fluid icing.

This is great on its own but if you prefer some added flavor and want to serve this icing on a cake for grownups, you could add 1 to 2 tbsps. of rum or brandy.

You May Also Want to Try...

• Chocolate Frosting
• Chocolate Icing

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