A recipe for frosting made especially for brownies. Rich, chocolate flavor, just the right amount, and easy to make.
Quick-click table of contents:
Jump to:
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.
The Best Brownie Frosting Recipe
Ingredients
- 5 tbsp unsalted butter
- 5 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp 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.
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
The best frosting recipes to make
- Lemon Lover's Layer Cake
- Swiss Meringue Buttercream
- The Best Frosting For Cookies
- Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- Simple Cream Cheese Frosting
- Best Fluffy Peanut Butter Frosting
About Tara Teaspoon
I’ve been in the food publishing business for over 20 years, creating recipes & food-styling for magazines, books, television & advertising. Order my new cookbook & stick around for amazing things to eat.
Recipe & Photography Tara Teaspoon. 6/19
molly says
My frosting wasn’t smooth no matter how long I mixed it. I had to microwave it. There was also WAY too much sugar and ruined the recipe
Julie Fleischhacker says
Molly, I am so sorry to hear you feel this way about the frosting recipe. I have had a lot of success with this recipe and I think that it compliments brownies well. I don’t know what smoothness level you were looking to achieve, but it is a frosting made with confectioners’ sugar (powdered sugar), so it should have a tiny bit of graininess but also smoothness from the butter. Thank you, Tara
EH Oliver says
Mine as well. I think the cocoa is old. Also too sweet.
Mary B says
Wow! This recipe is divine! I guess brownies aren't brownies without frosting and this one is wonderful! It is a hit at my house!
Tara Teaspoon says
Thanks again Mary! As you may know, I LOVE frosting! Glad your family enjoyed them as much as I do. Tara
Danielle says
Made this recipe tonight, following it exactly, and it turned out AMAZING!! It was SO smooth, creamy and delicious. It was the perfect finishing g touch for our brownies. Thank you!
Tara Teaspoon says
Yeah! So thrilled you enjoyed the frosting (and the brownies)!! It's the perfect addition to an already perfect treat. Thanks for sharing - Tara
Harry says
First time using the recipe and it turned out as promised. You can always tweek an icing with a touch more milk or cream for a thinner icing or a little more icing sugar to thicken it up. Try to make sure your butter chocolate ratio is pretty close.
Thanks for the recipe!
Tara says
Ah lovely. Absolutely! that's a great trick for the icing.
Kari says
This recipe is awesome! I used 1/2 reg. unsweetened cocoa and 1/2 dark chocolate. I took brownies to a memorial service and now people are asking for the recipe.
Tara Teaspoon says
Great idea for substitutions! I love when my readers get creative with ingredients. Thanks for commenting - Tara
Wendy says
THE BEST! Just made it!
Tara says
Oh fantastic!! Glad you love it!
Cecilia says
This recipe is awesome! My family loved the frosting and I will make again!
Tara Teaspoon says
So glad to hear you and your family liked the frosting AND that you'll be making it again. Enjoy! Tara
Ami Idowu says
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this recipe and have been using it for a while, but I am curious and recently wanted to substitute the whole milk. Did you have any suggestions? Almond milk? No milk?
Tara Teaspoon says
Hi Ami, I am so happy to hear you like this recipe. It's one of my favorites and I hope you try some of my other frosting recipes. You can absolutely substitute different types of milk in this recipe because you aren't baking it - nut or soy milk will work great. If you exclude milk completely, the recipe will work but may be thicker. As long as the texture works for your recipe, you can leave it out completely. Thanks Tara
Ami Idowu says
Thanks so much for replying so quick! I’ll definitely try the almond milk and let you know how it came out.
Sara Pecchia says
Hi Tara
I am planning to make this tomorrow. Would I be able to use cream instead of milk I don’t have any and for such small amount to buy milk just for this. Would I get the same results.
Tara Teaspoon says
Hi Sara, You absolutely can use heavy cream instead of milk and in a pinch you can use water too. Enjoy! Tara
Renee Gorby says
To the writer who wanted a substitute for whole milk, I suggest evaporated fat free milk. I made this today and it turned out wonderfully. Thanks!
Jarrod Duffy says
I tried the recipe it turned out great was good I would make it again
Tara says
I'm so glad! Thanks for letting me know!
Kim Armstrong says
My husband is very picky but just loved this icing for my brownies. I will use this again and try the other icing suggestions when I bake again. They were great and he really enjoyed the icing.
Tammie says
I don't have unsalted butter. Can I use Salted