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:
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.
📖 Full Recipe
The Best Brownie Frosting Recipe
Ingredients
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1½ cups confectioners' sugar
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
Video
Notes
- 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 Per Serving
Tara Teaspoon
I’ve been in food publishing for over 25 years, creating recipes & food-styling for magazines, books, television, food brands, & advertising. With two cookbooks under my belt and thousands of my recipes at your fingertips, I hope you'll be inspired to spend more time in the kitchen!
Recipe & Photography Tara Teaspoon. 6/19
Lenore Litwin says
Perfection. For people having trouble with lumps, sift the cocoa and the powdered sugar first. This was an excellent recipe! Thanks
Tara Teaspoon says
Great suggestion Lenore, thank you for sharing!
Ashley B says
This recipe was exactly what I was hoping it would be! I wanted to make a brownie “cake” for a birthday, so of course it needed icing. I used 1 tsp leftover coffee from the morning drip instead of vanilla (ran out and too lazy to go to store!) and it tasted so rich and smooth.
Tara Teaspoon says
Thanks for letting me know how much you enjoyed the recipe and I love how you made it your own with the coffee addition!
Tara
Angie says
The frosting was delicious and came out perfect. The only thing I did different was add a tablespoon of instant coffee. Gave it a more complex flavor and took the chocolate flavor to a new level!
Jules says
Followed exact measurements and it turned out fabulous!
Tara T. says
Great to hear Jules! Thanks for letting me know.
Tara
TriciaG says
I love this recipe! It's simple and delicious. Confession: I didn't have any cocoa on hand and didn't want to go out in 100 degree weather to get some so I replaced the cocoa and powdered sugar with 1 ½ cups of Ovaltine. I beat it till smooth. It came out just like you said, with the crust formed on the top. Yummy!
Tara T. says
Now that is a creative substitution. I love that! Thank you for sharing.
Cindy says
Great Recipe. I used high fat Dutch Process Cocoa and added 1.5 tsp instant espresso. Wonderful flavor.
Kathy says
I made some classic Hershey’s Cocoa Honey Bear brownies last night for the first time. The recipe called for “your favorite chocolate frosting.” I found this online and it is absolutely delicious! Perfect for these brownies and now “my favorite.” So good you’ll want to eat it straight out of the bowl!
Tara Teaspoon says
I'm glad it was the perfect combo!
Kari says
This turned out great! Followed recipe. I’m tempted to make it a fudge! Delicious!!
Rosalee Ann Adams says
Can I use half and half instead of milk for this recipe?
How long after brownies come out of the oven can I apply the frosting?
Once frosted should they be placed in fridge or can they be left out until
serving?
Thanks so much!!
Tara T. says
Yes you can use half and half.
I prefer to wait until the brownies are completely cool to put on the frosting. Otherwise the warm brownies melt the frosting.
No need to store in the fridge unless you like cold brownies melt they can stay at room temperature, covered, for three or four days.
Enjoy!
T a r a
Maria Viether says
This is a simple yet delicious fudgy icing. Comes together quick and smooth. I didn't sift my sugar!
I'll use this recipe again. Thank you.
Tara T. says
Thank you for your comment Maria! Tara