This thick and creamy brownie frosting sets up perfectly and brings a nostalgic, rich chocolate flavor to homemade or boxed brownies.
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Frosting for Brownies
Adding a chocolate brownie frosting is the perfect way to finish your homemade brownies. Whether you love the ganache on my ultimate fudge frosted brownies, a chocolate buttercream, or this quick recipe, that extra layer takes brownies to a new level.
Perfect for holidays, birthday parties, or when chocolate cravings hit, this easy frosting recipe uses simple pantry ingredients and comes together quickly for a delicious dessert upgrade!
Ingredients Notes
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Unsalted butter: Melted butter gives the frosting its smooth, glossy finish.
- Cocoa powder and powdered sugar: Powdered sugar sweetens the cocoa powder and helps the frosting set.
- Whole milk: Adds to the texture’s thickness and creaminess. You can use 2% in a pinch, but I don’t recommend anything less than that. Heavy cream could also work.
- Vanilla extract: To enhance the flavor.
How to Make Brownie Frosting
Combine all of the frosting ingredients in a medium mixing bowl, using just 2 tablespoons of milk. Use an electric hand mixer or whisk to mix. If needed, add a tablespoon of milk.
Once your brownies are completely cooled, use an offset spatula to spread a generous, even layer over the top. Enjoy!
Way to Use Chocolate Frosting for Brownies
This decadent brownie frosting makes any brownie recipe outstanding! A few favorites to use it on include:
Replace the ganache in these homemade cosmic brownies or the cream cheese frosting on red velvet brownies. You could also sandwich some chocolate frosting between brownie cookies or add it on top of your caramel brownies.
Recipe Tips
- Make sure brownies are cooled before adding frosting. Slightly warm brownies are ok, but hot brownies will cause the frosting to melt. Let frosting set before slicing as well.
- Use good-quality cocoa powder for the best flavor.
- Sift the powdered sugar to prevent lumps and cream the frosting for at least 1-2 minutes to make it light and fluffy.
- Adjust the thickness with a tablespoon of extra milk, if you prefer a thinner consistency.
More frosting recipes include vanilla frosting, chocolate frosting and sugar cookie frosting.
More Frosting Recipes
Brownie Frosting
Video
Ingredients
- ¼ cup unsalted butter , melted
- 3 Tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 ¾ cups powdered sugar
- 2-3 Tablespoons whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Add ingredients: In a medium sized mixing bowl, add 1/4 cup melted butter, 3 Tablespoons cocoa powder, 1 3/4 cups powdered sugar, 2 Tablesoons whole milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla.
- Mix: Mix well using a hand mixer or a whisk. Adding the last Tablespoon milk, if needed.
- Spread: Spread over cooled brownies.
Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Variations
- You could add some texture to your brownie icing by adding chopped pecans, walnuts, or chocolate chips to the mix.
- For a different flavor, you could swap the vanilla extract for peppermint extract, some espresso powder, or a pinch of salt.
Recipe FAQs
Keep leftover frosting in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. It’ll stay fresh for up to a week if you keep it in the fridge. Bring it to room temperature before spreading.
You can freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight, bring it to room temperature, and then give it a good stir before using it.
