Basic powdered sugar chocolate icing is such an easy recipe to make, and it turns out so sweet and decadent. The perfect icing recipe is great for cakes, cookies, and cupcakes. The simple glaze hits the spot for that sweet tooth, and it’s a favorite way to top a dessert.
Making Chocolate Icing
This is honestly one of the fastest and easiest recipes for icing. It takes about five minutes to complete, and if it turns out to be too runny or too thick, it’s super easy to fix. The first time I made the confectioner’s sugar icing I was impressed with how easy it was to make and that it only required a few ingredients.
What Is The Difference Between Frosting And Icing?
Frosting is typically more fluffy and holds the shape better when added to cakes or cupcakes. Homemade buttercream is a good example of a fluffy frosting, and you usually add it to treats with a piping bag. Icing is more glossy and thinner than frosting. It can be used on cupcakes but will look a little different than frosting because it is thinner. You can also use icing on cookies, and it’s perfect for drizzling over cakes or other desserts.
Powdered Sugar Icing Ingredient Checklist
- Butter, melted
- Unsweetened cocoa
- Powdered sugar (confectioner’s sugar)
- Water
- Vanilla extract
Full recipe with measurements and instructions listed at the bottom of the post in the printable recipe card.
How To Make The Icing
- Add the powdered sugar, unsweetened cocoa, vanilla extract, melted butter, and warm water to a glass bowl and mix until creamy.
- Pour over cakes, cookies, or cupcakes.
Step By Step Instructions
Start by adding the powdered sugar, or confectioners sugar, to a large bowl.
Next, add the unsweetened cocoa to the large mixing bowl. If you don’t want chocolate, you can easily leave the unsweetened cocoa out of the recipe. You can drizzle it over cinnamon rolls. It is the perfect icing and a wonderful treat.
Pour the vanilla extract into the bowl.
Next, pour the melted butter into the bowl.
And lastly, pour the water into the bowl. You can use either water or a little milk for this icing recipe. If you’d like to make it even richer, you can add heavy cream to the recipe instead of water. Coconut milk or almond milk is another option, as well. You don’t need a large container because it’s a small amount of milk that is added.
Mix everything together well with an electric mixer, and pour over your dessert.
What If My Icing Is Too Thick Or Too Runny?
If your icing is too thick, add one teaspoon of water to the bowl and mix. And, if it’s still too thick, add more water, one teaspoon at a time. If it’s too runny and you want a thicker consistency, add one teaspoon of powdered sugar at a time until it reaches the desired consistency.
I like to be able to pour the icing over the cake, so I like mine a little thinner. For this recipe, the icing will not completely cover a bundt cake, so if that’s what you’d like to do, you will need to double the recipe.
Tips for Making Basic Powdered Sugar Chocolate Icing
- Choose the Right Chocolate: Use good quality dark chocolate or Dutch-process cocoa for a richer flavor. This will give your frosting a strong chocolate flavor, perfect for chocolate cupcakes or a chocolate cake recipe.
- Mixing Consistency: Start mixing on low speed in your stand mixer to incorporate dry ingredients like powdered sugar and unsweetened cocoa powder with the wet ingredients. Gradually increase to medium speed for a creamy frosting. This helps to prevent the dry ingredients from flying out of the bowl (speaking from experience).
- Adding Flavor: Vanilla extract or a pinch of salt can enhance the flavor of your frosting. You can also add a small amount of instant coffee to give it more depth of flavor. These can be your secret ingredients for the best chocolate icing recipe.
- Storing the Frosting: If you have leftover frosting, store it in an airtight container. It can be kept at cool room temperature for a day or refrigerated for longer storage.
- Using Leftover Frosting: Leftover frosting can be used for graham cracker sandwiches or chocolate chip cookies.
- Experiment and Personalize: Don’t hesitate to add your favorite ways of tweaking the easy chocolate icing recipe – maybe a splash of espresso for a deeper flavor or a bit of cinnamon for warmth.
Different Flavored Icing
The great thing about this homemade chocolate frosting recipe is that you can make chocolate, lemon, orange, or just about any flavor. You just change out one or two items to make a different flavor. Here are some of the items you can use to make different powdered sugar icings:
- Lemon juice
- Orange juice
- Vanilla extract
- Peppermint extract
- Almond extract
You can also add different colors to the icing with food coloring.
The easy icing recipe is wonderfully versatile and perfect on baked goods such as coffee cake, bundt cake, sheet cake, quick bread, or some of the items listed below. And don’t be afraid to try it on a vanilla cake or cinnamon. Try something different!
Recipes That You Can Use Homemade Chocolate Icing
- Brownie cake is in the picture below, and it’s a decadent and wonderful cake.
- Buttermilk chocolate cake is another delicious recipe with chocolate icing.
- You can drizzle the icing over chewy sugar cookies.
- Homemade brownies are a delicious treat with some chocolate icing on the top.
- Homemade cinnamon rolls are another great recipe that tastes great with icing.
Is Chocolate Icing Gluten Free?
This chocolate icing is gluten-free. The recipe is made with just a few simple ingredients, none of which contain gluten.
Can I Make White Chocolate Icing?
Yes, you can make white chocolate icing. The recipe usually features melted white chocolate, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, heavy cream, and a few other ingredients.
Does Chocolate Icing Need to Be Refrigerated?
No, you do not need to refrigerate this chocolate icing. You can leave it at room temperature.
Easy Chocolate Icing Recipe
Be sure to get the recipe below for the easy powdered sugar glaze recipe. It’s great for covering so many desserts and the best way to make a good cake taste great!
Easy Chocolate Icing Recipe
Yield: 1.25 cups
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Chocolate icing is one of the easiest recipes to make and it turns out so luscious and succulent. The icing is perfect for cakes, cookies, and cupcakes.
Ingredients
- 1-1/4 cups powdered sugar
- 3 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
- 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2-3 Tablespoons warm water (or milk or heavy whipping cream)
Instructions
- Add the powdered sugar, cocoa, vanilla extract, butter, and water to a large bowl and mix well.
- Pour the icing over a dessert.
Notes
If the powdered sugar icing recipe is too runny, add more powdered sugar. If the recipe is too thick, add a small amount of liquid at a time, such as water or milk.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 200Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 1mgCarbohydrates: 45gFiber: 0gSugar: 43gProtein: 0g
Nutrition is approximate.
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Julie Pollitt( Blogger Behind Back To My Southern Roots )
Hi there! I’m Julie Pollitt from ‘Back To My Southern Roots.’ My love for cooking started way back on my grandparents’ farm in Tennessee. Those sunny days, the smell of biscuits in the oven, and all the family fun really sparked my passion for cooking. On my blog, I share more than just recipes – they’re like stories from my life, full of Southern warmth and homey goodness. The best part? Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a kitchen pro, you’ll find my recipes super easy to whip up. So, come on, pull up a chair, and let’s make some delicious memories!
