• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
  • Recipes
    • Easy Dinners
    • Dessert
    • Breakfast and Brunch
    • Thai
    • Gluten-free
    • Vegetarian

Inquiring Chef

menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Easy Dinners
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home > Recipes > Dessert

    Chocolate Whipped Cream Frosting

    Published: Mar 15, 2022 · Modified: Jan 9, 2023 · by Jess Smith · Jump to Recipe · 2 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links.

    chocolate whipped cream frosting
    chocolate whipped cream frosting
    Chocolate Whipped Cream Frosting

    Chocolate Whipped Cream Frosting is as light and fluffy as whipped cream but includes a small amount of cream cheese to stabilize it for spreading and piping.

    chocolate frosting on a whisk in a mixer

    With just four ingredients and a not-too-sweet flavor, chocolate whipped cream frosting / icing is the perfect frosting for all of your cakes, cupcakes, and snacking cakes. This is a chocolate version of my most popular frosting recipe - Vanilla Whipped Cream Frosting. I received many requests for a chocolate version and today is the day!

    spreading chocolate frosting over a square cake on a sheet pan

    How to Make Frosting with Heavy / Whipping Cream

    The key to making a frosting with heavy / whipped that will hold its shape is to add something to stabilize it. Fresh whipped cream on its own is very light and fluffy, but when you beat in softened cream cheese it has a sturdy texture that will hold its shape. Here’s how to make it:

    1. Beat softened cream cheese until smooth. This will make it easy for the heavy cream cheese to combine with the cream. 
    2. Add powdered sugar and cocoa powder. Beat these into the cream cheese until combined. This mixture will be very thick and pasty.
    3. Slowly add whipped cream. With the mixer running, slowly add in the heavy / whipping cream. You want all of the ingredients to be well combined before you turn up the mixer speed. 
    4. Beat until peaks form. Crank up the speed on the mixer until your frosting is thick and fluffy and holds stiff peaks. 
    5. Adjust as needed. If you over beat the frosting and it is too thick, just add in some more cream and continue beating until your frosting reaches your desired consistency.

    a square cake with chocolate frosting  cut into squares on a white plate
    How thick should frosting be?

    The thing about frosting is that you want to adjust the consistency based on how you’ll use it. For a snacking cake like the peanut butter version photographed here, the frosting can be very light and spreadable - it doesn’t need to hold any solid shape. If you’re going to pipe this frosting onto cupcakes, beat it a bit longer until the whipped cream is sturdy and will hold its shape. 

    More Frosting Recipes and Cakes to Serve with Them

    • Peanut Butter Snacking Cake
    • Vanilla Whipped Cream Frosting
    • (my favorite) Chocolate Cake Recipe
    • Easy Vanilla Cake
    • Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Snack Cake
    • Nutella Cream Cheese Frosting

    FAVORITE TOOLS

    • Stand or Hand Mixer

    a square cake with chocolate frosting cut into square slices on a white plate
    chocolate frosting on a whisk in a mixer
    Print Recipe
    4.08 from 51 votes

    Chocolate Whipped Cream Frosting

    Chocolate Whipped Cream Frosting is as light and fluffy as whipped cream but includes a small amount of cream cheese to stabilize it for spreading and piping.
    Prep Time15 mins
    Total Time15 mins
    Course: Dessert
    Keyword: easy dessert recipe, easy snack recipe, frosting
    Servings: 9
    Calories: 198kcal
    Author: Jess Smith via Inquiring Chef
    Cost: $4.00

    Equipment

    • Stand or Hand Mixer

    Ingredients

    • 3 ounces Cream Cheese, softened to room temperature
    • ½ cup Powdered Sugar
    • 3 Tablespoons Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
    • 1 ½ cup Heavy / Whipping Cream, chilled

    Instructions

    • Place cream cheese in the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on low-medium for 1 minute until the cream cheese is smooth.
    • To cream cheese, add powdered sugar and cocoa powder. Turn the mixer on low and then slowly increase speed to medium until the dry ingredients are mixed into the cream cheese (it will be very thick).
    • With the mixer running, slowly pour the heavy cream down the side of the bowl. When all of the heavy cream is added, increase speed to medium-high and beat until stiff peaks form. If the frosting is too thick to spread with a spatula, add more cream a bit at a time.
    • Refrigerate until ready to use.

    Notes

    Make ahead - This frosting can be made up to a day ahead. Make it as directed, transfer it to a container, and cover with plastic wrap, pressing down to seal the top of the frosting. When you’re ready to use the frosting, take it out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before using. Give it a few really good stirs with a whisk before spreading it on cake / cupcakes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 198kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 41mg | Potassium: 76mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 710IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 1mg

    Related

    « Easy Peanut Butter Cake
    Moroccan Lentil Soup »

    About Jess

    Hi! I'm Jess. I am the recipe creator and photographer behind the 900+ recipes you’ll find on Inquiring Chef. As a mom to three young kids and professional cook, my mission is to make every moment in the kitchen and around the table count. If you’re looking for easy, flavorful, family-approved recipes, you’ve come to the right place! Learn more about me here.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Christine Krug

      October 26, 2022 at 11:19 am

      How far in advance can I make this frosting?? Today is Wednesday, the party is Saturday. I was going to ice the cake either tomorrow or Friday. I hope that makes sense.

      Thanks

      Reply
      • Jess Smith

        October 26, 2022 at 6:56 pm

        Today will be fine! You may have to give it a really good stir or use the hand mixer to get it nice and fluffy again before frosting the cake.

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Welcome! We're Jess and Frank. Since 2010, we have been serving up easy, original recipes here on Inquiring Chef.

    More about us →

    Latest Recipes

    • Cashew Cream Sauce
    • Vegetable and Rice Stuffed Peppers
    • Lasagna Bolognese
    • Falafel Sandwich

    Trending Recipes

    • Crispy and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
    • Honey Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry
    • Mason Jar Overnight Oats
    • Beef and Broccoli Ramen Stir-Fry

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates
    • Follow us on Instagram and Pinterest

    Contact

    • Email Us

    Copyright © 2023 Inquiring Chef