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Creamy Chocolate Frosting (for an 8×8 cake)

By Jess Smith

4.33

Published Jun 03, 2019•Updated Mar 12, 2024

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This makes an incredibly creamy chocolate frosting that is sized perfectly for an 8×8 (or a thinner layer on a 9×9 cake).

One of my current cooking goals is to get better at baking birthday cakes! I went to buy a birthday cake for Molly and Clara’s birthday this year and it was going to cost almost $100! It seemed excessive for a dessert that my girls were going to destroy in a matter of minutes. 😉 Enter a new era of cake-baking in my kitchen. Also enter…the One-Bowl Chocolate Cake that inspired the need for this frosting! (And don’t forget its equally delicious sister cake, this Easy Vanilla Cake!)

This frosting is a creamy, light chocolate that is not too rich or sweet. It’s smooth and spreads easily, but it has become my go-to, not because it works on a fancy layered birthday cake, but because it’s perfect for an easy, 8×8 cake. The cake plus frosting are so easy that I’ve been making them both about once a week to enjoy for dessert or to deliver to family and friends.

If you’re looking for just the right amount of chocolate frosting for an 8×8 (or 9×9) cake, look no further!

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4.33 from 34 votes

Creamy Chocolate Frosting (for an 8×8 cake)

No guesswork needed – this recipe makes an incredibly creamy chocolate frosting in just the right amount for an thick layer on an 8×8 cake (or a slightly thinner layer on a 9×9).

Don't skip the honey. It helps to stabilize the frosting and makes it extra creamy!

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Total: 10 minutes mins

Servings: 8 enough for an 8×8 cake

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Equipment

• Stand or Handheld Mixer
• Mixing Bowl

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 8 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, softened to room temperature
• ▢ 3 Tablespoons Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
• ▢ 1 Tablespoon Honey
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
• ▢ 1 cup Powdered Sugar
• ▢ 1 Tablespoon Milk, any type (plus up to an extra 2 Tbsp if needed)

Instructions 

• Combine butter, cocoa powder, honey, and vanilla extract. Beat on high using a handheld mixer or the whip / whisk attachment on a stand mixer. Beat until very smooth and creamy.
• Add powdered sugar and 1 Tbsp milk and continue mixing until evenly combined. Add extra milk, as needed, until the frosting is a smooth, spreadable consistency.
• Spread frosting over cake. (Note: If frosting a freshly baked cake, allow the cake to cool completely before frosting.)

Notes

This recipe makes enough for about a 1/2″ layer of frosting on the top of an 8×8 cake or a slightly thinner layer on a 9×9 cake. We like it on this One-Bowl Chocolate Cake.

Nutrition

Calories: 173kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 29mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 350IU | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Author: Jess Smith via Inquiring Chef

Cost: $1.50

Calories: 173

Keyword: baking, chocolate, easy, easy baking, frosting, small-batch

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