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!

This super fudgy frosting that is perfect for piping and is ready to decorate your layer cakes, cupcakes and cookies. This chocolate frosting 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. It’s made from just a few simple ingredients: melted chocolate, condensed milk and butter.
This frosting combines the best of both worlds. It has a full cup of cocoa in it for a rich chocolate flavor.

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 your favorite cake.

Cupcake Ideas
We used ours to top some devilishly good chocolate cupcakes. We decorated some like footballs, did some with swirls and Little Dude and I decorated some like turkeys Thanksgiving as well.
Or use it to make some monkey themed cupcakes. We used them as LD’s daycare birthday cake one year.
We also have a fun Christmas theme cupcake with fudge frosting coming soon! (Check out the Rudolph cupcakes here)
We are definitely getting in the holiday spirit and the more fudge the better!

More favorite dessert recipes:
Shiny fudge frosting is made in a double boiler. It includes sour cream, heavy cream and plenty of chocolate. There’s no icing sugar, but it comes out smooth and with a bit of a shine.
Of course you can make one of my favorite cake recipes for this frosting. It would be perfect on homemade butter cake, my mom’s favorite birthday cake.
My favorite chocolate cake recipe is devilishly good chocolate cake. It is super soft, moist and so easy to make.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you store leftover frosting?
If you have extra frosting, put it in an airtight container and store it at room temperature for a couple of days. For longer storage, refrigerate it for up to a week or freeze for up to a month.
What is the best way to get smooth perfect frostings?
Using room temperature butter is a great start. Cold butter is hard to get perfectly silky. The hot water in this recipe helps to get a nice smooth frosting. But with most frosting recipes, the key is getting enough air to get it fluffy but not so much air that there are big bubbles. Using a paddle attachment on your stand mixer is best, but you a hand mixer will also work.

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 dark chocolate fudge frosting, use special dark cocoa powder or dutch processed cocoa powder.
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!
Chocolate Fudge Frosting

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!
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 a stand mixer).
- Beat on low speed 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.
Notes
If you use unsalted butter, add a pinch of salt to the frosting.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please view my disclosure page for more information.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
24Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 121Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 61mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 1gSugar: 10gProtein: 1g
All nutritional information is estimated and will depend on the exact ingredients you use.

Carlee
Tuesday 12th of February 2019
I can't help it, frosting just calls to me!
Carlee
Friday 23rd of November 2018
Thank you!
Big Rigs 'n Lil' Cookies
Sunday 18th of November 2018
You had me at fudge! I really didn't plan on baking tomorrow but, now I am feeling like I should!
Big Rigs 'n Lil' Cookies
Monday 2nd of March 2020
This made it on the birthday cake today. So so good! Seriously in love with this frosting!
Carlee
Monday 2nd of March 2020
YAY! I am so glad you guys like it!
Big Rigs 'n Lil' Cookies
Sunday 1st of March 2020
I made this today for husbands birthday cake. Oh my... perfection!!
Carlee
Friday 23rd of November 2018
You definitely should!
Anonymous
Thursday 15th of November 2018
Mmmm! That sure does look amazing! Thank you so much for sharing with us at the Whimsical Wednesdays Link Party. I really appreciate you coming by each week. ;-D Have a great week!
Carlee
Friday 23rd of November 2018
Thank you!
Amy
Wednesday 14th of November 2018
And speaking of frosting this sounds like the perfect fudge frosting!
Carlee
Friday 23rd of November 2018
It really is, thanks!