This is a bit different than what I usually expect to see for a chocolate frosting. It's got the large quantity of butter that I would expect of a typical American buttercream, but it also includes melted chocolate and corn syrup, neither of which I'm used to seeing in buttercreams (of any variety).

The authors note that you can use whatever kind of chocolate you like for this icing. I opted for a mix of dark and milk chocolate. I think I used ~200g of dark (70% cocoa) chocolate and 140g of milk chocolate.

Chocolate Frosting

From The Perfect Cake by America's Test Kitchen

To Make 3 c.

Enough for 1 dozen cupcakes or a sheet cake

Ingredients

• 20 Tbsp. (2 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 114g icing (powdered/confectioners') sugar
• 64g Dutched cocoa powder
• 3/4 c. light corn syrup
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 225g chocolate, melted and cooled

To Make 5 c.

Enough for a two-layer cake (20-30cm diameter depending on your preferred cake:icing ratio)

Ingredients

• 30 Tbsp. (3 3/4 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 170g icing (powdered/confectioners') sugar
• 85g Dutched cocoa powder
• 1 c. light corn syrup¹
• 1/2 Tbsp. vanilla extract
• 340g chocolate, melted and cooled

To Make 6 c.

Enough for a three-layer cake (20-30cm diameter)

Ingredients

• 40 Tbsp. (5 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 225g icing (powdered/confectioners') sugar
• 128g Dutched cocoa powder
• 1 c. light corn syrup
• 1/2 Tbsp. vanilla extract
• 450g chocolate, melted and cooled

Directions

If you have a food processor, use that for making this icing. If not, a hand or stand mixer will do the job.

1. Combine butter, sugar, and cocoa and mix until smooth.
2. Add corn syrup and vanilla and mix until incorporated.
3. Add cooled (but still pourable) chocolate and mix until thoroughly combined.
4. Spread or pipe onto cooled cake or cupcakes or refrigerate until ready to use. If chilled, bring up to room temperature before using.

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¹ I was low on corn syrup and ended up using a 50:50 mix of corn syrup and golden syrup. It seemed to work out fine. ^Back