How to make chocolate frosting without powdered sugar

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1 Minute Chocolate Frosting (Boiled Frosting)

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Ingredients
Directions
More chocolate frosting recipes!
More whipped buttercream frosting recipes!
Reader Interactions
What can I use instead of powdered sugar in frosting?
How do you make simple icing?
How do I make powdered sugar at home?
How can I thicken frosting without powdered sugar or cornstarch?

Credit: kitchenwitchCO

Ingredients

Ingredient Checklist

1 cup granulated sugar
¼ cup cocoa
¼ cup butter
¼ cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

Instructions Checklist

Step 1
Mix together. Bring to a boil and boil for 1 minute. Add vanilla. Cool partially, then beat with a mixer for 3 minutes or until spreadable consistency.
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Step 2
CDKitchen Note: Please read the reviews on this recipe. We have personally tested this recipe and it WORKS if you follow the directions.
Step 3
This recipe has received such varying reviews we thought we better bring it to the CDTestKitchen. You'll notice we're giving it 5 stars - that's because it turned out perfect for us. We boiled the mixture about a minute (maybe 20-30 seconds more) then let it cool just a little (in case it splatted it wouldn't burn then!) and beat it with an electric mixer for about 3 1/2 minutes. We used all the measurements/ingredients exactly as called for in the recipe. One thing that may be confusing people is that this is not a fluffy kind of frosting that you use to decorate a cake. This is more of a frosting that would go on brownies, or a cake that is in a pan. The mixture will harden some however, but it definitely shouldn't be soupy like some reviewers mentioned. Be careful not to heat it over too high a heat, or the sugar will start to turn to candy (which will make the mixture crunchy). We think the biggest success factor is the mixing time/technique. Don't try to mix this by hand, you won't get it to the right consistency. Also, don't let it cool too much before spreading it since it will firm up more while it cools (to the point it won't be easily spreadable).

Chocolate Whipped Buttercream Frosting that tastes like light chocolate whipped cream frosting. This whipped chocolate frosting is the best!

I'm not much of a frosting person. So many times frostings are heavy and overly sweet. Not this Chocolate Whipped Buttercream Frosting, though.

It's super light and fluffy - like an ultralight chocolate mousse in frosting form. And since this frosting falls in the semisweet to bittersweet chocolate range, it isn't too sweet either.

A couple notes about this frosting - first, the cooked milk/flour mixture needs to be completely cool before continuing on. If it's still warm, it will melt the butter, and the frosting will be too loose.

Second, don't cut the whipping steps short. The frosting needs to be whipped on high for several minutes in order to have its ultralight texture.

Also, a reader (thanks again!) left a comment saying that chilling the frosting helped it come together for her. So, please check out the comments below the recipe.

*Note - I had several comments saying that the frosting was separating. I worked on the recipe and changed it to make it whip up easier.

More chocolate frosting recipes!

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
Chocolate Malted Milk Frosting

More whipped buttercream frosting recipes!

Whipped Buttercream Frosting
Whipped Brown Sugar Buttercream Frosting
Vanilla Bean Whipped Buttercream Frosting

If you’ve tried this chocolate whipped buttercream frosting recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below. I love to hear from people who've made my recipes!

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▢ ½ cup all-purpose flour
▢ 1 ½ cups milk
▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
▢ 1 ½ cups salted butter at cool room temperature
▢ 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
▢ ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder I use Dutch-processed
▢ Pinch of salt

In a small saucepan, whisk flour and milk together until well-combined.
Heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens.
Remove from heat, and let it cool to room temperature.*
Stir in vanilla.
While the mixture is cooling, cream the butter, sugar, cocoa powder, and salt together until light and fluffy on medium high, about 5 minutes.
Add the completely cooled milk mixture.
Beat it for about 5 minutes on high until it looks like whipped cream. It may look separated at first, so keep beating it until it comes together and looks like a whipped cream.
If it looks separated after about 7 minutes of whipping, cover, and chill for about 30 minutes. Then, continue whipping for about 5 minutes, or until it looks like whipped cream.

*This is key. The mixture can't be warm or it will melt the butter.
**Nutrition facts are estimates.

Published 8/23/13. Updated with new photos and tips 6/18/18.

Kate got her first cookbook when she was five years old, and she hasn't stopped cooking since then! Her delicious recipes have been featured on Food Network, MSN, Better Homes & Gardens, Buzzfeed, The Huffington Post, and more. When she's not cooking or baking, she can be found on her mini farm with her husband and her five kids.

Reader Interactions

What can I use instead of powdered sugar in frosting?

Erythritol is ideal as a substitute for powdered sugar for frosting or sprinkling on top of cakes. Swerve confectioners is a well-known brand based on erythritol and a very popular keto option. It's a 1:1 ratio as a replacement, so just use it as you would powdered sugar in any recipe.

How do you make simple icing?

In medium bowl, mix powdered sugar and butter with spoon or electric mixer on low speed. Stir in vanilla and 1 tablespoon of the milk..

Gradually beat in just enough remaining milk to make frosting smooth and spreadable. If frosting is too thick, beat in more milk, a few drops at a time..

How do I make powdered sugar at home?

Instructions.

Pour granulated sugar into a blender or food processor. Blend the sugar until it is a fine, fluffy powdered sugar. ... .

Use powdered sugar immediately or save it for later. You may want to sift the sugar before use for clump free, super fluffy sugar..

How can I thicken frosting without powdered sugar or cornstarch?

If you are making warm frosting on your stovetop, you can try thickening a runny frosting with a bit of flour. Sprinkle 1 tsp to 1 Tbsp (5 ml to 15 ml) of flour into the frosting and stir over low heat on the stove until it begins to thicken.