A simple and delicious way to decorate a cake is with my chocolate cream cheese frosting. It’s not as sweet as regular buttercream and gives you a beautiful smooth cream cheese frosting that is easy to smear or pipe onto your cake.
Baking cakes is simple and so much fun, I love whipping up a simple sponge for every occasion. But adding this chocolate cream cheese butter cream frosting to the simple sponge just takes it to the next level. You could even call this the best cream cheese frosting for chocolate cake.
Top Questions
What brand of cream cheese is best for frosting?
Does cream cheese frosting hold up better than buttercream?
Why is my cream cheese frosting always runny?
Does cream cheese frosting harden up?
Why you’ll love this chocolate cream cheese frosting recipe
- You have to love chocolate frosting! It is one of life’s small pleasures and brings me so much joy. I love making a chocolate cake and adding chocolate cream cheese buttercream on top.
- It’s such a simple cream cheese frosting. There are not many steps and you’ll be enjoying chocolate cream cheese frosting in no time!
- This is one of those recipes that will come up time and time again. It’s a staple in my house and great to have in your arsenal. When birthday’s come around everyone is requesting the chocolate cream cheese frosting.
- This Chocolate Cream Cheese buttercream recipe is a perfect blank slate for decorating.
Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients
For the full recipe and instructions scroll to the bottom of the page for the recipe card.
CREAM CHEESE
Key in this recipe for cream cheese frosting is, of course, the cream cheese. Everyone knows Philadelphia as the named brand but I’ve used many varieties from supermarket savers brands to even some of the more luxury versions.
All work well for the chocolate cream cheese buttercream but if you can get it Philadelphia is best for a smooth buttercream frosting.
ICING SUGAR
When it comes to soft and fine icing sugar (or powdered/ confectioners sugar in the US) there are no substitutes. It is best to sieve the icing sugar to remove any lumps and make a smoother cream cheese frosting.
BUTTER
Unsalted room-temperature butter is key to making a light and fluffy chocolate cream cheese frosting.
When combining your sugar and butter you want to keep going until it’s light and fluffy in texture.
COCOA POWDER
I love using rich cocoa powder, the deep and full-bodied flavour makes for a wonderfully decadent Chocolate Cream Cheese buttercream. You only need about 80g to create the lovely chocolatey flavour, but you can add more or less depending on your taste.
How to make chocolate cream cheese frosting– step by step
For the full recipe and instructions scroll to the bottom of the page for the recipe card.
Measure out your butter and sugar and start beating together to bring in lots of air to your frosting.
Once your frosting is light and fluffy, add in your cream cheese and mix together again until fully combined.
Now all you have to do is add your cocoa powder to the mix, and whip all the ingredients together.
Once everything is combined you’re ready to use your chocolate cream cheese buttercream on top of your favourite bake!
Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting Top Tips
When you’re getting ready to ice your cakes, make sure the sponge is fully cooled otherwise your chocolate cream cheese frosting will melt.
The best cream cheese frosting for chocolate cake is of course a chocolate cream cheese frosting. Doubling down on the chocolate factor is always a hit in my books!
Keep whipping your butter and sugar together for longer than you think. This will ensure your frosting is whipped and full of air. It usually takes about 6 or 7 minutes to get your butter and sugar fully creamed together.
Serving Suggestions
Chocolate Cake
The chocolate cream cheese frosting isthe best cream cheese frosting for chocolate cake. It’s moist and enhances the flavour of your chocolate cake.
King Charles Coronation Cake with Chocolate Frosting
I made a gorgeous coronation traybake cake earlier this year for the King’s coronation in May and what better way to celebrate than with chocolate cream cheese buttercream!
Before decorating with summer berries in the union Jack shape, add a layer of chocolate frosting, this will help your berries stick to the cake and keep the pattern.
Equipment
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Substitutions and variations
Dark chocolate cream cheese frosting
Instead of using regular cocoa powder, you can use rich dark cocoa powder to flavour the chocolate cream cheese frosting. Or if you want to make this a dark chocolate cream cheese buttercream you can melt some dark chocolate, allow it to cool slightly and then mix it into your buttercream frosting.
Chocolate cream cheese frosting with melted chocolate
As with the dark chocolate version of this buttercream frosting, you can melt some milk chocolate into the frosting to flavour if you don’t have any cocoa powder.
White chocolate cream cheese frosting
If you fancy a white chocolate frosting, you can follow this recipe but instead of adding in the cocoa powder, swap it for some melted white chocolate (I loved using Milkybar for this as it’s sweet and really creamy). You can use any white chocolate, branded or the supermarket’s own brand.
Storing chocolate cream cheese frosting / Making ahead of time options
You can easily thicken up the Chocolate Cream Cheese frosting by making it ahead of time and leaving in the fridge until you need it. It will be thicker and easier to spread.
As cream cheese makes a softer buttercream it will start melting quicker than normal buttercream in hot weather. On hot days keep your cakes cool and out of the sunshine.
FAQS
What brand of cream cheese is best for frosting?
I think the best cream cheese for frosting is full-fat Philadelphia but you can use any full-fat cream cheese. I would recommend not using the super saver versions as these sometimes don’t mix as well into the buttercream mixture.
Does cream cheese frosting hold up better than buttercream?
Yes, cream cheese frosting is thicker and will hold up better than buttercream as the addition of the cream cheese helps to make the buttercream thicker so when you frost your cakes or cupcakes it holds it shape better.
Why is my cream cheese frosting always runny?
Your cream cheese frosting will go runny if you don’t have enough icing sugar or if you include the water from the top of your cream cheese. You’ll want to pour all the water out of your cream cheese before adding it to the buttercream frosting mix.
Does cream cheese frosting harden up?
Yes, cream cheese frosting will harden up if placed in the fridge. So if your cream cheese frosting is too runny to pipe you can pop it in the fridge for about 20 minutes and it will harden ready for your to ice your bakes with.
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Recipe
Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
Equipment
Ingredients
- 125 g (4.4 oz) unsalted butter
- 150 g (1.25 cups) icing sugar / confectioners sugar
- 180 g (6.35 oz) Philadelphia cream cheese full-fat
- 80 g (2.8 oz) cocoa powder
Instructions
- Using a stand or hand mixer, beat the 125g unsalted butter and 150g icing sugar together to make a smooth buttercream.
- Drain off any excess water in the 180g of cream cheese and add it to the buttercream mix.
- Sieve in the 80g cocoa powder and beat again until smooth.
- Put the cream cheese frosting in the fridge to set slightly before using it. (You can make it in advance).
Video
Nutrition
Please note that the nutrition information provided above is approximate and meant as a guideline only.
This creamy chocolate frosting has the perfect amount of sweetness, and is so luscious and spreadable! Our new favorite!
This frosting is so good for so many recipes or just eating it straight from the bowl! Delicious!
This recipe is a winner. My frosting turned out just as I wished, beautifully smooth. Thank you for sharing!
I’m so glad to hear it. Thank you so much for leaving a comment.
This was such a smooth and decadent frosting that was not only easy, but so rich and delicious, to boot! Easily, a new favorite; excited to try it on cupcakes again this weekend!
Thank you Sarah
This was amazing. The perfect texture and was delicious on top of cupcakes.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
The perfect icing.Really chocolatey but not sickly.
I’m glad you like it! Happy baking