Chocolate Sour Cream Frosting {Cocoa Powder}

Quick and easy chocolate sour cream frosting recipe, homemade with simple ingredients and lots of cocoa powder. Sweet and tangy and great for piping swirls on cupcakes and spreading on top of desserts and cake decorating.

I recently shared the recipe for this Easy Sour Cream Frosting (Vanilla) but some of you have also requested a cocoa version of that buttercream. After some trial and error, I developed the best recipe ever. It's very creamy and fudgy and has a subtle tanginess that's not over-powering.

I love using sour cream in desserts because it adds moisture, tanginess and a unique flavor that elevates your desserts. I have used it very successfully in this Sour Cream Pound Cake (Loaf) and even these Easy Almond Cupcakes (Sour Cream Cupcakes).

Jump to:

• Key ingredients
• Variations
• How to make easy chocolate sour cream frosting recipe from scratch?
• Tips and techniques
• What to pair with this sweet and tangy icing?
• Recipe FAQs
• Storage
• More easy frosting recipes
• Recipe

Key ingredients

• Butter- Use unsalted for best results.
• Sour cream- Makes this recipe unique and so creamy.
• Vanilla extract- Brings in a warm hint of flavor.
• Cocoa powder- Higher quality means better taste.
• Powdered sugar- Used as the sweetening base.

Variations

• For dark chocolate flavor- Add more cocoa powder and reduce the amount of powdered sugar. If you are a true fan of dark chocolate, I also suggest trying my Homemade Chocolate Bars.
• Give this a coffee/mocha spin- Mix in a few teaspoons of fine espresso powder.
• Add spices- Like pumpkin spice or cinnamon, especially during the Fall season. Which, by the way, this sour cream frosting tastes great with Easy Pumpkin Cookies (With Cake Mix).
• Try different extracts- To bring in a new flavor profile, such as peppermint, lemon, maple, or coconut.
• Use food coloring- To change the color and use for different events and holidays like I did when decorating these Easy Christmas Donuts. I recommend using gel coloring as opposed to liquid to keep the consistency of the frosting.
• Toss in some add-ins- Such as mini chocolate chips, crushed nuts, mini candies, or even sprinkles, similar to this Funfetti Frosting.

How to make easy chocolate sour cream frosting recipe from scratch?

1. Mix together- Butter, sour cream, and vanilla.
2. Add in- Cocoa powder and mix.
3. Continue to mix- As you add in powdered sugar until desired consistency is reached.

Tips and techniques

• Make icing thinner- By mixing in a little milk at a time until desired consistency is reached.
• Make icing thicker- By mixing powdered sugar a little at a time until desired consistency is reached.
• Cocoa powder tips- Use unsweetened cocoa of the highest quality and make sure it is thoroughly sifted.
• Sift powdered sugar- Because this will help you avoid a lumpy frosting.
• Use full fat ingredients- Because this yields the creamiest texture and best flavor.
• Use unsalted butter- So that your frosting doesn't become too salty.
• Use room temperature ingredients- Because this allows all the ingredients to mix smoothly together.
• Use for fun decorating- If you you've never done it before or just want to brush up on some techniques, check out my post on How to Decorate Cupcakes and Easy Cake Decorating Ideas for tips and tricks.

What to pair with this sweet and tangy icing?

• Cakes- Use it in a layer cake or in a Naked Cake or even sheet cakes like this Chocolate Sheet Cake or this Yellow Sheet Cake. It would also work extremely well on this Easy Tiered Rustic Cake.
• Cupcakes- You can't go wrong with the two classics, so check out my Best Vanilla Cupcake Recipe and my Best Chocolate Cupcake Recipe for a great start.
• Cookies- You can always make my Small Batch of Sugar Cookies to pair with this recipe, but you may also want to branch out and use in these Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies or as a filling for Chocolate Whoopie Pies.
• Rolls- Try this recipe on my Easy Homemade Cinnamon Rolls and other sweet rolls of your choice.
• Sweet breads- Pair really well, including Chocolate Pound Cake (With Cake Mix), Lemon Pound Cake (With Cake Mix), or my Cinnamon Roll Cake (With Cake Mix).
• Brownies and bars- Easy Pumpkin Bars

Recipe FAQs

Storage

• Room temperature- Don't allow to sit out beyond the 2-3 hour point.
• Refrigerate- Place in a sealed container for up to 1 week. 
• Freeze- Place in a sealed container for up to 1 month, thaw, mix again, then serve.
• Make ahead- You can make this up to 1 week before needed if kept in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 1 month. Thaw and mix before serving.

More easy frosting recipes

• Caramel Frosting (3 Ingredients)
• Peanut Butter Frosting (4 Ingredients)
• Brown Sugar Frosting (So Fluffy)
• Almond Buttercream Frosting (Easy)
• Blackberry Buttercream Frosting

Recipe