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    Home ยป Recipes ยป Desserts (No Bake) ยป Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting recipe

    PUBLISHED: September 1, 2020 โ€ข By Toni Dash 36 Comments

    Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting recipe

    Jump to Recipe

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    chocolate cream cheese frosting title image

    Rich, fudgy chocolate frosting with a tangy twist! Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting is fast and easy to make and the perfect topping on brownies, cookies, cakes and more!

    chocolate cream cheese frosting title image
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    chocolate cream cheese frosting title image

    Frosting lovers take note: this easy icing recipe is one you’ll want in your recipe go-to’s!

    Frosting can make even an ordinary dessert recipes extraordinary. 

    Recipes such as strawberry frosting, cinnamon frosting, coffee frosting and regular cream cheese frosting are fun. But a great chocolate frosting is a must.

    This recipe is silky smooth and creamy.  Try it on your favorite chocolate cupcakes!

    An Easy Chocolate Frosting recipe

    This rich frosting recipe is fast and easy to pull together. The ingredients are simple and the flavor true.

    The tangy cream cheese heightens the chocolate for a delicious flavor.

    Unlike a buttercream frosting that is thicker and stiffer, this cream cheese frosting is soft and pliable.

    There is no butter or large amounts of powdered sugar in this frosting recipe.

    That makes it makes it a perfect choice for frosting single layer cakes, brownies, cookies and more. 

    It would be a great choice for the filling between the layers of a multi layer cake.

    It is probably too soft for the exterior frosting on a multi layer cake.

    chocolate cream cheese frosting in a bowl

    Recipe Ingredients

    There are only four ingredients in this frosting! 

    All easy things to find: chocolate chips, cream cheese, powdered sugar and heavy cream!

    Be sure to use block-style cream cheese NOT soft spreadable cream cheese.

    The Star Ingredient

    Melted chocolate gives the deep chocolate flavor.

    Some recipes for this type of frosting include butter and cocoa powder.

    We’ve kept it simple and chocolate flavor focused.

    chocolate cream cheese frosting ingredients photo

    How to Make it – Step-by-Step

    STEP 1: Combine the chocolate chips and cream in a microwave safe bowl (photos 1-2). Microwave for 30 seconds, stir then microwave for 15 minutes at a time until the chocolate has melted.

    NOTE: the chocolate will appear lumpy (photo 3) until it’s totally stirred so be sure to stir well between microwaving.

    chocolate cream cheese frosting recipe steps 1-4

    STEP 2: Cream together the cream cheese and powdered sugar using an electric mixer until smooth (photos 4-5).

    STEP 3: Add the melted chocolate and mix until fully combines (photos 6-7). The mixture will be very soft.

    chocolate cream cheese frosting recipe steps 5-8

    STEP 4: Put the frosting in the refrigerator until it cools and thickens. Mix again to make fluffy before using (photo 8).

    How much Frosting does the Recipe Make?

    1 1/4 cups. Enough for:

    • frosting an 8-inch by 8-inch cake (double it for a 9-inch by 13-inch cake)
    • 12 cupcakes if piping the frosting(double it for 24 cupcakes); more if spreading the frosting on
    • An filling between two cake layers (or two layers on a three layer cake)

    How to Use it

    Being a softer frosting it’s perfect for cake of cupcakes but that’s not all!

    • Brownies
    • the inner layers of a layer cake
    • Snack Cakes
    • Single layer sheet cake recipe (it will need to be doubled for a 9-inch by 13-inch cake)
    • dessert bars
    • Chocolate Zucchini Cake
    • Banana Cupcakes

    PRO TIP: when piping it on cupcakes (versus spreading it), be sure the frosting is really chilled, beat to fluff and then add to the piping bag.

    How to Store it

    Store chilled in a sealed contain in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

    It can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and use a mixer to whip it up before using.

    bowl of chocolate cream cheese frosting

    More Dessert Recipes You’ll Love!

    • Peanut Butter Chocolate Mug Cake
    • Chocolate Dipped Candy Canes
    • Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
    • Banana Bread Cookies
    • Strawberry Cake
    Did you make it? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

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    Recipe

    chocolate cream cheese frosting title image

    Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

    Creamy, fudgy frosting that's so easy to whip up from scratch. Great for snack cakes, filling between cake layers, brownies and more!
    5 from 26 votes
    Print Save Recipe Recipe Saved! Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 2 minutes minutes
    Chilling Time (approximate): 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 37 minutes minutes
    Servings: 10 2-tablespoon servings (total yield 1 1/4 cups)
    Calories: 214kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup semi-sweet Chocolate Chips
    • 1/4 cup Heavy whipping cream
    • 1/4 cup Powdered sugar
    • 1 8-ounce package Cream cheese softened

    Instructions

    • In a microwave-safe bowl, add the chocolate chips and whipping cream. Microwave for 30 seconds, stir and then continue cooking for 15 seconds at a time; mixing between each time.
    • Once the chocolate is completely melted take the bowl out of the microwave, stir it together and set the bowl aside. NOTE: it might look lumpy before it's stirred then will become smooth.
    • In a large bowl, cream together the powdered sugar and cream cheese until smooth.
    • Add in the melted chocolate mixture and mix until well combined. NOTE: The mixture will be very soft and runny.
      To thicken the frosting place the bowl of frosting in the refrigerator until it has reached the desired consistency (estimate: 15 minutes in the freezer or 20-320 minutes in the refrigerator).
    • Remove from the fridge and beat with the mixer to fluff it up. It will be a fudgy consistency.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 214kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 34mg | Sodium: 77mg | Potassium: 138mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 401IU | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 1mg
    chocolate cream cheese frosting title image
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Erica says

      November 02, 2021 at 6:12 am

      Can y I u substitute evaporated milk or regular milk for heavy whipping crea
      m. Trying to use what I have on hand.

      Reply
      • Toni Dash says

        November 02, 2021 at 3:26 pm

        Hi Erica. I’ve only made the recipe as written but I would try it! Let me know how it turns out!

        Reply
    2. Jennifer Flora says

      September 04, 2021 at 9:27 pm

      5 stars
      We had lily’s semi sweet choc chips on hand, and honestly I was desperate for a cream cheese icing recipe at 1030pm- it turned out well with the classic yellow duncan hines. By all means, I was not attempting a keto style AT ALL!

      Reply
      • Toni Dash says

        September 05, 2021 at 11:46 am

        Great to know Jennifer! Thanks for sharing your twist!

        Reply
    3. Nancy says

      September 03, 2020 at 4:16 pm

      5 stars
      Creamy cheese frosting is my favorite! The chocolate is the BEST!

      Reply
    4. Erin says

      September 03, 2020 at 3:50 am

      I love anything with cream cheese! OR cupcakes. Such the perfect combo! Cupcakes with cream cheese frosting!! YUMMY!

      Reply
    5. Suzy says

      September 02, 2020 at 7:40 pm

      5 stars
      I may have eaten this with a spoon! ๐Ÿ™‚ Seriously, such a delicious frosting!

      Reply
    6. Kita Bryant says

      September 02, 2020 at 5:19 pm

      5 stars
      This frosting looks so yummy! I would really love these on some cupcakes.

      Reply
    7. Sherry says

      September 02, 2020 at 2:24 pm

      Cream cheese frosting is my favorite kind of frosting. I could eat it with a spoon. Even better that it’s chocolate.

      Reply
    8. wilhelmina says

      September 02, 2020 at 10:37 am

      5 stars
      This frosting is so perfectly rich and creamy! I used it to top a batch of vanilla cupcakes and it was to die for!

      Reply
    9. Kevin says

      September 02, 2020 at 9:11 am

      5 stars
      Wow! This looks like the best frosting ever! I am going to be baking up a cake this weekend with this frosting!

      Reply
    10. Eileen M Loya says

      September 02, 2020 at 8:35 am

      5 stars
      I am to save this recipe for your chocolate cream cheese frosting. I was planning to bake a cake on the weekend but I could not find a good frosting recipe. Thankfully I came across this post!

      Reply
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    Welcome! Iโ€™m Toni Dash. Iโ€™m a Certified Nutrition Coach and the professional writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of Boulder Locavoreยฎ. Iโ€™m so glad you are here!

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