The Best Frosting For Brownies

A recipe for frosting made especially for brownies. Rich, chocolate flavor, just the right amount, and easy to make.  

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Frosting for Brownies

I find frosted brownies ridiculously delicious. It’s like cake, but better, and I’m pretty particular about my baked goods.

Frosted brownies pairs fudgy, rich brownies with that delicious stuff typically reserved for cake and cupcakes: frosting!

FROST MY ULTIMATE BROWNIE RECIPE

What makes a good frosting for brownies?

• The frosting is chocolatey and smooth.

• A delicate crust forms on top of the soft frosting as it sets.

• It’s complimentary to the brownies and neither overpowers the other.

Find more frosted brownies here: Think Outside Of The Box Brownies

Even though chocolate on chocolate is divine, here are other frostings that I like and would be delicious for brownies:

Creamy Caramel Frosting

Fluffy Vanilla Frosting

Making Creamy Brownie Frosting

You only need a few ingredients to make frosting for brownies. Most likely you already have them in the pantry.

• Butter
• Confectioners’ sugar
• Unsweetened cocoa
• Milk
• Vanilla extract

Melting the cocoa with the butter activates the chocolate flavor and makes the frosting really smooth. 

I like to let the melted butter mixture cool a bit before mixing the frosting. I find this helps make the frosting lighter and a bit fluffy. It pairs perfectly with fudgy brownies.

Vanilla extract balances the sweet flavors and compliments all the ingredients. 

Is brownie frosting different than cake frosting?

You could use this frosting on cake, cookies or cupcakes. It’s really not different. 

I have made the recipe to make just the right amount to cover a 9-by-13-inch pan of brownies with the perfect thickness of frosting. That is about the only difference!

Add nuts!

I have a few folks in my family who think brownies without nuts are a sin. Add nuts! You can sprinkle nuts on top of the frosting before it sets. This way you can add nuts to just half the pan if you have a mixed crowd!

Use pecans or walnuts for a classic flavor. Chop them coarsely for extra crunch. 

5 from 1 vote

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The Best Brownie Frosting Recipe

Work Time

10 mins

Total Time

10 mins

 

A recipe for frosting made especially for brownies. Rich, chocolate flavor, just the right amount and easy to make.

Course: Baking, Frosting

Cuisine: American

Keyword: brownie frosting, brownies

Yield: 9 servings (Makes 1 1/4 cups)

Calories: 145 kcal

Ingredients

• 5 tbsp unsalted butter
• 5 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp milk
• 1½ cups confectioners' sugar

Instructions

1. In a large heatproof bowl, microwave the butter and cocoa powder until butter is melted. Beat together with a hand mixer until smooth. Add the vanilla and milk and stir.

2. Add the confectioners' sugar and stir, slowly at first, until incorporated; then beat on medium speed until frosting is smooth and creamy, about 1 minute. use immediately on cooled brownies, or store, covered at room temperature, for up to a day.

Recipe Notes

• Use this brownie frosting on my Ultimate Brownies. 

• Add chopped nuts to the top of the frosting before it sets if desired.

• TRY MY OTHER FROSTING RECIPES: 

• Fluffy Vanilla Frosting for cake, cupcakes and cookies. 
• Caramel Frosting for cupcakes and spice cake.
• Classic Cream Cheese Frosting perfect for cake or cookies.
• The ultimate Milk Chocolate Frosting.

Nutrition Facts

The Best Brownie Frosting Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 145 Calories from Fat 63

% Daily Value*

Fat 7g11%

Saturated Fat 4g25%

Cholesterol 17mg6%

Sodium 3mg0%

Potassium 50mg1%

Carbohydrates 22g7%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 20g22%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A 195IU4%

Calcium 10mg1%

Iron 0.4mg2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Recipe & Photography Tara Teaspoon. 6/19