• 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

    Creamy Chocolate Frosting (for an 8x8 cake)

    Published: Jun 3, 2019 · Modified: Oct 7, 2022 · by Jess Smith · Jump to Recipe · 9 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Spatula spreading Creamy Chocolate Frosting on a chocolate cake
    Creamy Chocolate Frosting
    frosting a chocolate cake
    frosting a chocolate cake
    a chocolate cake with chocolate icing in a white baking pan
    Creamy Chocolate Frosting
    Easy Creamy Chocolate Frosting

    frosting a chocolate cake

    This makes an incredibly creamy chocolate frosting that is sized perfectly for an 8x8 (or a thinner layer on a 9x9 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 Snacking Cake!)

    chocolate frosting on a beater

    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, 8x8 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.

    a piece of chocolate cake on a white plate

    If you're looking for just the right amount of chocolate frosting for an 8x8 (or 9x9) cake, look no further!

    icing a chocolate cake

    More Dessert Recipes

    • Banana Layer Cake
    • Chocolate Chip Ricotta Cake
    • Mini Cheesecakes
    • Muffin Pan Strawberry Shortcakes
    • Semolina Yogurt Cake
    • One-Bowl Chocolate Guinness Cake
    • Applesauce Cake
    • Slow Cooker Pumpkin Cheesecake
    • Frozen Peanut Butter Cheesecake Pie
    • Easy Vanilla Snack Cake

    Favorite Tools

    • Stand or Handheld Mixer
    • Anchor 3-Piece Glass Mixing Bowls
    frosting a chocolate cake
    Print Recipe
    3.96 from 24 votes

    Creamy Chocolate Frosting (for an 8x8 cake)

    No guesswork needed - this recipe makes an incredibly creamy chocolate frosting in just the right amount for an thick layer on an 8x8 cake (or a slightly thinner layer on a 9x9).
    Don't skip the honey. It helps to stabilize the frosting and makes it extra creamy!
    Prep Time10 mins
    Total Time10 mins
    Course: Dessert
    Keyword: chocolate, easy, small-batch
    Servings: 8 enough for an 8x8 cake
    Calories: 173kcal
    Author: Jess Smith via Inquiring Chef
    Cost: $1.50

    Equipment

    • Stand or Handheld Mixer
    • Mixing Bowl

    Ingredients

    • 8 tablespoon Unsalted Butter, softened to room temperature
    • 3 tablespoon Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
    • 1 tablespoon Honey
    • ½ teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
    • 1 cup Powdered Sugar
    • 1 tablespoon Milk, any type (plus up to an extra 2 tablespoon 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 tablespoon 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 ½" layer of frosting on the top of an 8x8 cake or a slightly thinner layer on a 9x9 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

    *This post contains affiliate links*

    Related

    « Crispy Baked Cornflake Chicken
    Korean Chicken Lettuce Wraps »

    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. Cathi Jones

      March 23, 2020 at 9:59 pm

      5 stars
      This chocolate frosting is just the right amount to frost an 8 inch cake and is so delicious. It is creamy and has a nice chocolate flavor. Thank you for the recipe!

      Reply
    2. John M

      April 22, 2020 at 10:46 am

      4 stars
      When I read to "use to spread on cake right away" I put it on the hot cake and have just a puddle of oil. I guess right away was referring to the frosting.once it is made. I am not gifted in the kitchen and need specifics. Delicious though.

      Reply
      • Jess

        April 23, 2020 at 9:08 am

        John - I can absolutely see how that would be confusing! I will update the instructions to clarify that so it doesn't happen to you or others again. Glad it was still tasty, if not quite the right consistency. Hope you'll try it again in the future.

        Reply
    3. Tori

      December 09, 2020 at 10:05 pm

      My frosting turned into soup.

      Reply
      • Jess Smith

        December 10, 2020 at 6:00 am

        Hi Tori! Did you happy to spread it onto a cake that was still warm? That's usually the issue.

        Reply
    4. Lindsay

      February 13, 2021 at 12:12 pm

      I’ve made the one bowl chocolate cake and it was amazing! I’m going to make that cake again but this time with this chocolate frosting. Wondering if I can make it 24hrs ahead of time and store in fridge?

      Reply
      • Jess Smith

        February 13, 2021 at 4:34 pm

        Yes! Just make the whole thing ahead of time and it's good in the fridge for 2 days. It's great straight out of the fridge, but you can also let it come to room temperature before slicing and serving.

        Reply
    5. MJ

      September 26, 2021 at 12:10 pm

      Hi!
      your one bowl chocolate cake is .? wacky cake, Lol 😆been making this one for years, we call it wacky cake no eggs, apparently it originated in war times when ingredients and eggs were scarce. Yum !

      Reply
      • Jess Smith

        September 29, 2021 at 3:08 pm

        I had no idea! That's so cool. Thanks for sharing!

        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

    • Green Tea Cocktail
    • Semolina Cake
    • Cashew Cream Sauce
    • Vegetable and Rice Stuffed Peppers

    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