Name: Silky Smooth Fudge Frosting {Perfect for Piping!}
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 24
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup butter, softened; 2/3 cup hot coffee (or hot water); 1 cup cocoa powder; 2 pound bag powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; optional: 1 teaspoon coffee extract

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Silky smooth and super chocolaty, this fudge frosting is perfect for piping out designs on cakes and cupcakes. Of course is spreads like a dream too, make a batch and see for yourself!

glossy fudge frosting rosette on cupcake

Super fudgy frosting that is perfectly pipable and ready to decorate your cakes, cupcakes and cookies. This recipe makes a luscious chocolate frosting that has a bit of sheen and is silky smooth. It’s easy to make and delicious to eat too!

This is my new favorite chocolate frosting! I have shared a few over the years. Chocolate buttercream and chocolate sweetened condensed milk frosting are both fabulous.

Then there’s the fudgy sweetened condensed milk icing that is super delicious but is more for spreading and dipping and not good for pipping decorations.

This frosting combines the best of both worlds. It has a full cup of cocoa in it for a rich chocolate taste.

cocoa powder, sugar and butter in mixer bowl ready to be made into frosting.

If you choose to make it with coffee, the flavor is even more intense. Don’t worry, it doesn’t taste like coffee. I just gives great depth of flavor to the chocolate.

Either way, it is silky smooth and a dream to decorate with. It also spreads fabulously smooth.

One batch makes enough to generously frost 24 cupcakes, possibly 36 if you don’t pile it high. It is also plenty to fill, cover and decorate a layer cake.

We used ours to top some devilishly good chocolate cupcakes. We decorated some like footballs, did some with swirls and Little Dude and I dressed some up for Thanksgiving as well.

I’ll share those with you soon. They are cute as can be! We also have a fun Christmas theme cupcake with fudge frosting coming soon!

looking down on chocolate frosting rosette.

We are definitely getting in the holiday spirit and the more fudge the better!

More favorite frosting recipes:

Tips and tricks:

If you are in a hurry (or your kitchen is warm from baking) you can speed up getting pipable frosting by putting it in the fridge for 10-20 minutes. Stir it every 5 minutes or so until you have the right consistency.
This frosting spreads great and pipes like a dream.
As the frosting sits, it does form a light crust. That makes transportation and storage easier!
The extra is fabulous between two Graham crackers.
If you want a darker fudge frosting, use special dark cocoa powder or dutch processed cocoa powder.

cupcake decorated with frosting to look like football.

Cupcake decoration ideas:

If you are a frosting fanatic like me, check out my Frosting 101. It goes through the different types of frosting and links to all sorts of delicious recipes!

Yield: 24 Servings

Silky Smooth Fudge Frosting {Perfect for Piping!}

Silky smooth and super chocolaty, this fudge frosting is perfect for piping out designs on cakes and cupcakes. Of course is spreads like a dream too, make a batch and see for yourself!

Prep Time 30 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
2/3 cup hot coffee (or hot water)
1 cup cocoa powder
2 pound bag powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
optional: 1 teaspoon coffee extract

Instructions

Add all ingredients to a large mixing bowl (or bowl of an electric mixer).
Beat on low for 30 seconds to combine and then on medium for 5 minutes. The mixture should be completely smooth.
Allow to sit until completely cooled to room temperature. To speed up the process, you can put the bowl in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes.
Beat again until light and fluffy.
Pipe or spread on completely cooled cake.
Extras can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer in an airtight container. Just allow to come to room temperature and rewhip before using.