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.
A recipe for frosting made especially for brownies. Rich, chocolate flavor, just the right amount and easy to make.
- 5 tbsp unsalted butter
- 5 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1½ cups confectioners' sugar
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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.
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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.
• 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.
Recipe & Photography Tara Teaspoon. 6/19
molly says
September 20, 2019 at 8:20 pmMy 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
September 23, 2019 at 3:00 pmMolly, 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
Mary B says
October 30, 2019 at 3:03 pmWow! 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
October 30, 2019 at 4:57 pmThanks again Mary! As you may know, I LOVE frosting! Glad your family enjoyed them as much as I do. Tara
Danielle says
November 7, 2019 at 12:33 amMade 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
November 7, 2019 at 1:35 pmYeah! 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
November 13, 2019 at 3:56 pmFirst 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
November 13, 2019 at 4:45 pmAh lovely. Absolutely! that’s a great trick for the icing.
Kari says
November 27, 2019 at 12:49 pmThis 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
December 2, 2019 at 10:45 amGreat idea for substitutions! I love when my readers get creative with ingredients. Thanks for commenting – Tara
Cecilia says
November 27, 2019 at 9:02 pmThis recipe is awesome! My family loved the frosting and I will make again!
Tara Teaspoon says
December 2, 2019 at 10:42 amSo glad to hear you and your family liked the frosting AND that you’ll be making it again. Enjoy! Tara