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    Home / Recipes / Desserts

    The Best Dark Chocolate Frosting Buttercream from Sprinkles Cupcakes

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    The Best Dark Chocolate Frosting Buttercream from Sprinkles Cupcakes

    A dark chocolate buttercream recipe from the Godmother of cupcakes? Indeed.

    Baked GoodsDessertsRecipes & Techniques by Cooks We Love

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    If you are a chocolate lover, you will love this Dark Chocolate Frosting Buttercream recipe direct from Sprinkles Cupcakes. For sobbing out loud, who doesn't love chocolate frosting?

    Candace Nelson, the founder of the first cupcake bakery, Sprinkles Cupcakes, shared this delicious frosting recipe with me that I know you will love!

    Candace Nelson of Sprinkles Cupcakes

    Want to learn more about the Godmother of The Cupcake Bakery?

    Click here to read up on my interview with Candace Nelson.

    Is frosting gluten-free?

    Believe it or not - there are some frostings that have gluten in them. Some national brands of prepackaged frosting contain gluten components, and a traditional buttercream recipe calls for a paste made of wheat and milk.

    So if you are avoiding gluten, it is best to make your own frosting. Or ask bakeries to be sure it's safe.

    A slice of chocolate cake with chocolate frosting balancing upon a cake knife going to be set on a yellow plate.

    What is different about this chocolate frosting buttercream recipe?

    Besides it just being delicious, this recipe has a somewhat unusual ingredient in it.

    Sour cream - yes, you read that right. Sprinkles Dark Chocolate Buttercream recipe contains sour cream.

    Adding sour cream to frosting make it taste just as rich, sweet, & chocolatey as any other chocolate icing, but its tangy kick will have you coming back every time!

    Removing a slice of cake from a whole chocolate cake with chocolate frosting

    What ingredients will I need for this frosting?

    • Bittersweet chocolate
    • Unsalted butter
    • Powdered sugar
    • Salt
    • Gluten-Free vanilla extract
    • Sour cream

    Do not over-mix the frosting!

    Don't over-mix the frosting, or it will have too much air. Frosting should have a dense, creamy consistency similar to ice cream.

    Chocolate cake displayed on a white marble cake stand

    More from Sprinkles Cupcakes:

    an overhead shot of multiple cupcakes with strawberry frosting & sprinkles on top. Strawberries are gathered to the sides of the plates for garnish.

    The Best Recipe For Strawberry Cupcakes!

    Sprinkles Strawberry Buttercream Frosting is included in this recipe for strawberry cupcakes. These cupcakes are so flavorful and vibrant!

    Gluten-Free Red Velvet Goodness:

    This recipe for gluten-free Red Velvet Cupcakes comes direct from the "fairy godmother of cupcakes" herself, Candance Nelson, founder of Sprinkles Cupcakes.

    A batch of red velvet cupcakes on marble background

    Love Chocolate? Check out these yummy chocolate recipes:

    Delicious Chocolate Martini

    This Chocolate Martini recipe is rich and delicious. You can make it dairy-free easily too.

    Creamy Coconut Milk Ice Cream With Chocolate Chips

    Make creamy, delicious Coconut Milk Ice Cream with Chocolate Chips with this recipe from G-Free Foodie.

    Coconut Milk Ice Cream Recipe

    Gluten-Free Chocolate Doughnuts With Chocolate Glaze

    This recipe makes delicious Gluten-Free Chocolate Doughnuts with a perfect Chocolate Glaze!

    cropped-GFF-SPRINKLES-CHOCOLATE-FROSTING-5.jpeg

    Dark Chocolate Frosting

    Candace Nelson
    Chocolate frosting: buttercream style, with a secret ingredient that makes it oh-so-rich.  You won't buy frosting from the store ever again after making Sprinkles Dark Chocolate Frosting!
    4.96 from 21 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 servings
    Calories 648 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 10 ounces bittersweet choclate chopped
    • 1 pound unsalted butter at room temperature
    • 24 ounces powdered sugar
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ½ cup sour cream

    Instructions
     

    • Melt and cool chocolate (until just slightly warm).
    • Beat butter until light and fluffy. With mixer on low speed, gradually add powdered sugar.
    • Add salt, vanilla and sour cream and mix until very smooth.
    • Add chocolate and mix until just incorporated.

    Notes

    Don't over-whip and add too much air into the frosting. The consistency should be rich and dense, like ice cream!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 648kcalCarbohydrates: 69gProtein: 2gFat: 42gSaturated Fat: 26gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 88mgSodium: 35mgPotassium: 157mgFiber: 2gSugar: 65gVitamin A: 1016IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 34mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword chocolate cake recipe, chocolate recipes

    Chocolate Fudge Waffle Sundae

    Gluten free chocolate waffles are topped with dairy free ice cream and chocolate ganache. The result - a decadent dessert....or breakfast!

    Frequently Asked Questions about Chocolate Frosting:

    How long does homemade frosting keep?

    You can freeze or refrigerate most frostings. Frosting from the store can keep for 3 to 4 weeks in the refrigerator and two to three months in the freezer.
    In the fridge, homemade frosting can last up to a week; in the freezer, it can last for about a month.

    Is icing & frosting the same?

    Although not as thin as a glaze, icing is still thinner than frosting.
    Icing can be drizzled or spread and is typically created with powdered sugar and a liquid, such as water, milk, or juice.
    In comparison to frosting, icing is smoother and has more sheen.

    Does frosting made with sour cream need to be refrigerated?

    Yes. Since sour cream is a dairy product that needs refrigeration, you'll need to keep this frosting chilled until you are ready to serve.

    Dark Chocolate Frosting Buttercream

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    K.C. is a farm-grown foodie, born and raised in the fertile fields of California’s San Joaquin Valley. After being diagnosed with Celiac Disease following years of unexplained illness, she has infused her gluten-free life with flavor, fork in hand. Learn more about K.C.

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