Chocolate Butter Icing

Prep: 5 min

A rich, smooth chocolate butter icing with a hint of coffee flavor, perfect for enhancing cakes or cupcakes with a decadent chocolate experience.

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Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa
  • 3 Tbsp. softened butter
  • 1 1/2 c. powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 3 Tbsp. hot coffee

Instructions

  1. Combine the unsweetened cocoa, softened butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and hot coffee in a mixing bowl.
  2. Mix all ingredients together until smooth and well blended.

Tips & Substitutions

For a richer chocolate flavor, consider using Dutch-processed cocoa instead of unsweetened cocoa. If you're out of hot coffee, hot water or milk can be used as a substitute, although coffee enhances the chocolate taste. To make it vegan, substitute the butter with a plant-based alternative. Ensure your butter is soft for easy mixing. If the icing is too thick, add a little more coffee gradually.

Serving Suggestions

This chocolate butter icing is perfect for topping cakes, cupcakes, or cookies. It pairs beautifully with German Muffins for a delightful breakfast treat. You can also use it as a dip for fruits like strawberries or bananas. For a festive touch, sprinkle some coarse sea salt on top for a sweet and salty combination.

Storage & Reheating

Store any leftover chocolate butter icing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. When ready to use, allow it to come to room temperature for easier spreading. You can re-whip it briefly to restore its smooth texture. If it thickens too much, add a teaspoon of hot coffee to loosen it up.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Chocolate Butter Icing contains roughly 331 calories, with 4g protein, 10g carbohydrates, and 29g fat. It is a good source of vitamin A (12% of the Daily Value) and dietary fiber (10% of the Daily Value).

331 kcal 17% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 4.1g 8% DV
Total Fat 29.5g 38% DV
Carbs 10.3g 4% DV
Fiber 2.8g 10% DV
Sugar 6.1g 12% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 67.4mg 3% DV
Potassium 253.4mg 5% DV
Cholesterol 86.9mg 29% DV

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 108mcg 12% DV
Vitamin C 0.7mg 1% DV
Vitamin D 1mcg 5% DV
Calcium 92.8mg 7% DV
Iron 1.1mg 6% DV
Diet fit Keto-friendly Under 400 cal
Contains Milk

Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.

* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this icing ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the chocolate butter icing a day in advance. Just store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Allow it to come to room temperature before using, and re-whip if necessary to restore its consistency.

How can I make this icing more chocolatey?

To enhance the chocolate flavor, you can add an additional tablespoon of cocoa powder or use a higher quality cocoa. You might also incorporate melted chocolate for a richer taste, adjusting the powdered sugar as needed to maintain the right consistency.

What can I use this icing on?

This icing is versatile and works well on various desserts, including cakes, brownies, and cookies. It also complements desserts like Bohemian Kolache and can be layered between cakes for added richness. Get creative and use it as a filling for pastries or as a topping for ice cream!

Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).

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