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Gallery

Read the full recipe after the video.

Recipe Summary

Yield: Makes about 3 cups

ultimate chocolate frosting

Ingredients

Ingredient Checklist

3 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar

1 cup Valrhona cocoa powder

12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

1/2 cup milk, room temperature

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Gallery

Read the full recipe after the video.

Recipe Summary

Yield: Makes about 3 cups

ultimate chocolate frosting

Read the full recipe after the video.

Read the full recipe after the video.

Recipe Summary

Yield: Makes about 3 cups

Recipe Summary

Yield: Makes about 3 cups

Yield: Makes about 3 cups

Makes about 3 cups

ultimate chocolate frosting

ultimate chocolate frosting

Ingredients

Ingredients

  • 3 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 cup Valrhona cocoa powder
  • 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup milk, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Directions

In a small bowl, sift together the confectioners’ sugar and cocoa powder. Add butter, milk, and vanilla; stir until smooth and free of lumps.

Reviews (29)

Add Rating & Review

923 Ratings

5 star values:

                                  163

4 star values:

                                  202

3 star values:

                                  334

2 star values:

                                  167

1 star values:

                                  57

Load More Reviews

Reviews (29)

Add Rating & Review

923 Ratings

5 star values:

                                  163

4 star values:

                                  202

3 star values:

                                  334

2 star values:

                                  167

1 star values:

                                  57

Add Rating & Review

923 Ratings

5 star values:

                                  163

4 star values:

                                  202

3 star values:

                                  334

2 star values:

                                  167

1 star values:

                                  57

923 Ratings

5 star values:

                                  163

4 star values:

                                  202

3 star values:

                                  334

2 star values:

                                  167

1 star values:

                                  57

923 Ratings

5 star values:

                                  163

4 star values:

                                  202

3 star values:

                                  334

2 star values:

                                  167

1 star values:

                                  57
  • 5 star values:
  • 163
  • 4 star values:
  • 202
  • 3 star values:
  • 334
  • 2 star values:
  • 167
  • 1 star values:
  • 57

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: 1.0 stars

09/27/2020

                Way too thin and literally slid down the sides of the cake. Terrible  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: 2 stars

03/29/2018

                The consistency was perfect; however, it was to bitter for me  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: 5 stars

02/28/2018

                THE RECIPE IS AWESOME. I NEVER LOVED BUTTERCREAM FROSTING DUE TO THEIR BUTTERINESS BUT THIS  ONE IS DEFINITELY AN EXCEPTION. IT IS SO LIGHT AND CHOCOLATEY WITHOUT THAT BUTTER SMELL WHICH I HATE. QUANTITIES ARE PERFECT!!!LOVED THIS RECIPE.WONT LET GO OF THIS....  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: 5 stars

02/13/2018

                Perfect Frosting!  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: 5 stars

07/31/2017

                Love, love, love. I use Ghiradelli and everyone loves it! Very easy and quick to make as long as your butter is soft.( Valrhona was tried, but not our 1st choice).  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

06/12/2017

                Loved this Frosting! It's so rich and chocolatey and the dark cocoa makes it almost black, perfect when you need black cupcakes!  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: 5 stars

05/21/2017

                Years ago Martha would  give credit on her show and website for this recipe being her neighbor's  mother's recipe.  It was called Mrs so and so's easy chocolate frosting.  (I can't recall her name.)  I searched for a long time to find this recipe.  Shame on you Martha, for dropping her name from recipe.  It's still great and my coworkers always ask me to make this when I bake a cake for them.  Give the woman her just credit!!!  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

02/14/2017

                Yum. Halved everything but used 3/4 of the cocoa powder. Came out beautifully!  Used trader joe brand cocoa powder.  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

02/11/2016

                Leave it to Martha to have a frosting recipe that EVERY baker is able to make!!  Thanks!!!  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: 4 stars

12/25/2015

                Lovely recipe. Easy to make and straight forward. I find it too sweet for our tastes so you may find yourself wanting to reduce the sugar a lot. I halved the sugar in the cake and the frosting, and it was still sweet. Tips: Make sure you mix the butters & eggs, etc., in the largest bowl. I halved the ingredients in the frosting and added 200ml of heavy cream to make a half buttercream/half whipped cream frosting. Just whip on a bowl of ice water to get the desired texture.  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

09/12/2015

                It's a five-star IMO because of its ease, simplicity, and consistent result.  Only spend the $ for the high-end cocoa if you're baking for truly discerning folks, because I used it and honestly could not tell the difference in the frosting from plain-old Hershey's and I'm a choc. snob.  This goes well with Martha's one-bowl chocolate cake.  My son is fourteen and I've been making that cake for his birthday since year one.  Frost it with a messy effect in mind. Keeps well at room temp for 3 hrs  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: 4 stars

08/06/2015

                This frosting was very creamy. You must use a large bowl. I used a hand mixer to blend it all together for about 2 minutes. Be mindful of the quality of cocoa powder you use; I used very high-end organic powder. 1 cup of the good stuff was too much as the icing wasn't that sweet. I will use 1/2 a cup next time. Overall this recipe is easy, creamy and fun to prepare.  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: 3 stars

05/11/2015

                I made this frosting for my grandfather's birthday cake from Martha Stewart's Cakes book! My frosting came out well, however it was a bit grainy. I don't know why this happened although I made it the same way Martha did in the video! No one noticed at the party and they said it was delicious!  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

12/29/2014

                Do I have to keep the cake in the fridge until cutting or can it be at room temperature?  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

03/09/2014

                I love this recipe, it's so simple and so delicious.
                Just one note about the instructions: use a large bowl!  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

03/02/2014

                This frosting is the ultimate!  Very easy to  make and so creamy!  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

08/08/2013

                It came out wonderfully,  but instead of milk I used chocolate almond milk.  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

03/02/2013

                This is by far the best chocolate frosting I have ever made.  I used Hersey's cocoa powder which was what I had in the house.  Frosted a yellow cake with it for a b-day party tomorrow.  
                Thank you, Martha  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

01/08/2013

                Just made this with valrhona cocoa. Used stand mixer and beat it well. The best chocolate buttercream EVER. I used it on a yellow sheet cake and the amount was just right.  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

12/27/2011

                You can use any cocoa powder that you like, keeping in mind that the final taste of the frosting will vary from brand to brand. I make this frosting with Ghirardelli and it is great. It's even better with Droste. Ghirardelli has a stronger, slightly sharper taste that is super for making hot cocoa, but I find that I prefer a mellower tasting cocoa for baking. My grocery store carries Ghirardelli , but I have to order the Droste and will use the Ghirardelli when out.  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

12/27/2011

                You can use any cocoa powder that you like, keeping in mind that the final taste of the frosting will vary from brand to brand. I make this frosting with Ghriradelli and it is great. It's even better with Droste. Ghriradelli has a stronger, slightly sharper taste that is super for making hot cocoa, but I find that I prefer a mellower tasting cocoa for baking. My grocery store carries Ghriradelli, but I have to order the Droste and will use the Ghriradelli when out.  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

02/08/2011

                Does anybody know if it can be done with any other brand of cocoa, such as Ghirardelli?
                thanks!  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

02/08/2011

                Does anybody know if it can be done with any other brand of cocoa powder (ie. Ghirardelli).
                Thanks!  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

09/25/2010

                The Baker's Catalog (KIng Arthur's Flour) will have Valrhona....online as well.
                or I would try Whole Foods if there is one in your area.  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

06/04/2010

                Can one of you lovely folks please tell me where do I find this Valrhona cocoa powder? I have looked in all my local stores and no luck!! 
                Please help a fellow choco-holich!!!
                
                Thanks,
                Diane Smith
                Gallatin,TN  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

01/09/2009

                Oh my gosh! This frosting is the BEST! My husband doesn't like frosting very much and even he loves it. This will most assuredly be my "go to" recipe for chocolate frosting from now on. Thanks Martha!  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

03/12/2008

                This frosting is incredibly easy and delicious. My mother used to make a frosting similar to this, but with chocolate chips. That was a bit too sweet; this frosting tastes perfect, with just the right amount of chocolatey flavor.  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: 1.0 stars

09/27/2020

                Way too thin and literally slid down the sides of the cake. Terrible  

Rating: 1.0 stars

Rating: 2 stars

03/29/2018

                The consistency was perfect; however, it was to bitter for me  

Rating: 2 stars

Rating: 5 stars

02/28/2018

                THE RECIPE IS AWESOME. I NEVER LOVED BUTTERCREAM FROSTING DUE TO THEIR BUTTERINESS BUT THIS  ONE IS DEFINITELY AN EXCEPTION. IT IS SO LIGHT AND CHOCOLATEY WITHOUT THAT BUTTER SMELL WHICH I HATE. QUANTITIES ARE PERFECT!!!LOVED THIS RECIPE.WONT LET GO OF THIS....  

Rating: 5 stars

Rating: 5 stars

02/13/2018

                Perfect Frosting!  

Rating: 5 stars

07/31/2017

                Love, love, love. I use Ghiradelli and everyone loves it! Very easy and quick to make as long as your butter is soft.( Valrhona was tried, but not our 1st choice).  

Rating: Unrated

06/12/2017

                Loved this Frosting! It's so rich and chocolatey and the dark cocoa makes it almost black, perfect when you need black cupcakes!  

Rating: Unrated

Rating: 5 stars

05/21/2017

                Years ago Martha would  give credit on her show and website for this recipe being her neighbor's  mother's recipe.  It was called Mrs so and so's easy chocolate frosting.  (I can't recall her name.)  I searched for a long time to find this recipe.  Shame on you Martha, for dropping her name from recipe.  It's still great and my coworkers always ask me to make this when I bake a cake for them.  Give the woman her just credit!!!  

Rating: Unrated

02/14/2017

                Yum. Halved everything but used 3/4 of the cocoa powder. Came out beautifully!  Used trader joe brand cocoa powder.  

Rating: Unrated

02/11/2016

                Leave it to Martha to have a frosting recipe that EVERY baker is able to make!!  Thanks!!!  

Rating: 4 stars

12/25/2015

                Lovely recipe. Easy to make and straight forward. I find it too sweet for our tastes so you may find yourself wanting to reduce the sugar a lot. I halved the sugar in the cake and the frosting, and it was still sweet. Tips: Make sure you mix the butters & eggs, etc., in the largest bowl. I halved the ingredients in the frosting and added 200ml of heavy cream to make a half buttercream/half whipped cream frosting. Just whip on a bowl of ice water to get the desired texture.  

Rating: 4 stars

Rating: Unrated

09/12/2015

                It's a five-star IMO because of its ease, simplicity, and consistent result.  Only spend the $ for the high-end cocoa if you're baking for truly discerning folks, because I used it and honestly could not tell the difference in the frosting from plain-old Hershey's and I'm a choc. snob.  This goes well with Martha's one-bowl chocolate cake.  My son is fourteen and I've been making that cake for his birthday since year one.  Frost it with a messy effect in mind. Keeps well at room temp for 3 hrs  

Rating: 4 stars

08/06/2015

                This frosting was very creamy. You must use a large bowl. I used a hand mixer to blend it all together for about 2 minutes. Be mindful of the quality of cocoa powder you use; I used very high-end organic powder. 1 cup of the good stuff was too much as the icing wasn't that sweet. I will use 1/2 a cup next time. Overall this recipe is easy, creamy and fun to prepare.  

Rating: 3 stars

05/11/2015

                I made this frosting for my grandfather's birthday cake from Martha Stewart's Cakes book! My frosting came out well, however it was a bit grainy. I don't know why this happened although I made it the same way Martha did in the video! No one noticed at the party and they said it was delicious!  

Rating: 3 stars

Rating: Unrated

12/29/2014

                Do I have to keep the cake in the fridge until cutting or can it be at room temperature?  

Rating: Unrated

03/09/2014

                I love this recipe, it's so simple and so delicious.
                Just one note about the instructions: use a large bowl!  

Rating: Unrated

03/02/2014

                This frosting is the ultimate!  Very easy to  make and so creamy!  

Rating: Unrated

08/08/2013

                It came out wonderfully,  but instead of milk I used chocolate almond milk.  

Rating: Unrated

03/02/2013

                This is by far the best chocolate frosting I have ever made.  I used Hersey's cocoa powder which was what I had in the house.  Frosted a yellow cake with it for a b-day party tomorrow.  
                Thank you, Martha  

Rating: Unrated

01/08/2013

                Just made this with valrhona cocoa. Used stand mixer and beat it well. The best chocolate buttercream EVER. I used it on a yellow sheet cake and the amount was just right.  

Rating: Unrated

12/27/2011

                You can use any cocoa powder that you like, keeping in mind that the final taste of the frosting will vary from brand to brand. I make this frosting with Ghirardelli and it is great. It's even better with Droste. Ghirardelli has a stronger, slightly sharper taste that is super for making hot cocoa, but I find that I prefer a mellower tasting cocoa for baking. My grocery store carries Ghirardelli , but I have to order the Droste and will use the Ghirardelli when out.  


                    
                You can use any cocoa powder that you like, keeping in mind that the final taste of the frosting will vary from brand to brand. I make this frosting with Ghriradelli and it is great. It's even better with Droste. Ghriradelli has a stronger, slightly sharper taste that is super for making hot cocoa, but I find that I prefer a mellower tasting cocoa for baking. My grocery store carries Ghriradelli, but I have to order the Droste and will use the Ghriradelli when out.  

Rating: Unrated

02/08/2011

                Does anybody know if it can be done with any other brand of cocoa, such as Ghirardelli?
                thanks!  


                    
                Does anybody know if it can be done with any other brand of cocoa powder (ie. Ghirardelli).
                Thanks!  

Rating: Unrated

02/03/2011

Rating: Unrated

09/25/2010

                The Baker's Catalog (KIng Arthur's Flour) will have Valrhona....online as well.
                or I would try Whole Foods if there is one in your area.  

Rating: Unrated

06/04/2010

                Can one of you lovely folks please tell me where do I find this Valrhona cocoa powder? I have looked in all my local stores and no luck!! 
                Please help a fellow choco-holich!!!
                
                Thanks,
                Diane Smith
                Gallatin,TN  

Rating: Unrated

01/09/2009

                Oh my gosh! This frosting is the BEST! My husband doesn't like frosting very much and even he loves it. This will most assuredly be my "go to" recipe for chocolate frosting from now on. Thanks Martha!  

Rating: Unrated

03/12/2008

                This frosting is incredibly easy and delicious. My mother used to make a frosting similar to this, but with chocolate chips. That was a bit too sweet; this frosting tastes perfect, with just the right amount of chocolatey flavor.  

All Reviews for Ultimate Chocolate Frosting

  • of Reviews

Reviews:

Most Helpful

Most Helpful

Most Positive

Least Positive

Newest

All Reviews for Ultimate Chocolate Frosting

  • of Reviews

Reviews:

Most Helpful

Most Helpful

Most Positive

Least Positive

Newest

Reviews:

Most Helpful

Most Helpful

Most Positive

Least Positive

Newest