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Brownie Batter Frosting

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Brownie batter frosting has all the wonderful qualities of buttercream with brownie mix whipped right in. This chocolate goodness is just begging to be put on your next cake.

Swirl of chocolaty brownie batter frosting.

What you put on your cake is every bit as important as the cake itself, maybe even more so. Luckily the rich and chocolaty brownie batter buttercream is almost always a good choice.

It is fabulous on a good butter cake and wonderful on top of banana cake. Of course it would be lovely on a chocolate cake as well.

Try it on a batch of cupcakes or sandwich it between cookies. Pretty much any baked good is a great excuse to make a batch of fluffy brownie batter buttercream.

MiMi originally shared this recipe in 2015. Back in the days when I was a frosting aficionado and not yet the self appointed queen of frosting!

MiMi has always love dense fudgy chocolate frosting like the almost flaky chocolate frosting on her official birthday cake, her grandma’s french butter cake with fudge frosting. This is similar to that in a lot of ways, but with buttercream flexibility.

Hand holding mixer paddle with lots of brownie batter frosting on it.

What MiMi had to say about this recipe is 2015

I had some bananas that were getting a bit soft. My first thought was banana bread but then I decided I needed a dessert.

Carlee has made Di’s Banana Cake several times so it must be a hit. I decided to make that and change it a little by trying a new frosting.

I had just created a Brownie Batter Ice Cream recipe so I had some brownie mix left. What a great way to top banana cake.

I like a thick fudgy frosting so that is what I made. It is thick, rich and yummy.

-MiMi

How to Heat-Treat Brownie Mix

We have always known there was some risk involved in eating raw cookie dough and cake batter from the raw eggs. But in recent years we have become more aware of the bacteria that can be present in raw flour and cake mixes.

However, you can mitigate that risk by “heat-treating” the mix. Luckily, it’s super simple and takes just a minute or two. Here’s how…

  • Dump the mix into a glass microwave safe bowl.
  • Microwave on high for about 1 to 1 ½ minutes, stirring every 20 seconds.
  • The brownie mix will be warm (160F) and any bacteria that were present will be gone!
  • Let the mix cool completely before adding to the recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you store buttercream?

Extra buttercream can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for a couple of days. Put it in the refrigerator for up to a week. Buttercream can be frozen for up to 3 months, just defrost in the refrigerator overnight. No matter how you store it, you will want to bring it to room temperature and give it a mix before using it.

How do you store a cake with buttercream frosting?

Once your cake is covered in buttercream, it can be stored at room temperature for 3 days. if you have a cake dome or other cover, it will help to keep any exposed cake from drying out. If completely coated in frosting, the cake can be stored in the refrigerator. However, exposed cake dries out quickly in the refrigerator.

More Great Chocolate Frosting Recipes:

If you are looking for a slightly fluffier frosting that maintains the rich chocolate flavor, try making chocolate sweetened condensed milk buttercream. It is perfect for spreading over cakes or piping on cupcakes.

Or whip up white chocolate buttercream. It is super fluffy and has a great white chocolate flavor but is still super versatile.

Piece of cake topped with brownie batter frosting and sprinkles.

For another great spreading frosting, try shiny fudge frosting. It works great for layer or sheet cakes, but is not meant to be piped. The sheen and flavor on that one is amazing!

If you are a frosting lover like me and want to learn more about all of the different types of frosting, check out my frosting 101 post. It tells you the difference between Italian meringue buttercream, Russian buttercream, ermine frosting and more.

Swirl of chocolaty brownie batter frosting.

Brownie Batter Frosting

Carlee
Rich fudgy frosting with brownie mix whipped right in. This chocolate goodness is just begging to be put on your next cake.
4.82 from 22 ratings
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 Servings
Calories 342 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 1 cup brownie mix
  • ½ cup cocoa powder
  • 1 cup butter softened
  • 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 Tablespoon milk
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon hot water

Instructions
 

  • Place cocoa powder and brownie mix in bowl and whisk together.
    1 cup brownie mix, ½ cup cocoa powder
  • Add the butter and vanilla and mix well.
    1 cup butter, 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
  • Add milk and slowly add the powdered sugar while beating on medium speed. Add the hot water and beat on medium for about a minute.
    1 Tablespoon milk, 3 cups powdered sugar, 1 Tablespoon hot water
  • Adjust the consistency with additional powdered sugar or milk until you get the texture you are after. Use right away or store in an airtight container.

Notes

You can heat treat the brownie mix in the microwave before using it. The instructions are in the post.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 342kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 2gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 41mgSodium: 180mgFiber: 1gSugar: 27g
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Recipe Rating




Andrea Nine

Friday 4th of June 2021

You’ve done it again my friend! YUMMO! So creative too. Have a great weekend!

Carlee

Sunday 6th of June 2021

You too, Andrea! Thanks!

Anonymous

Monday 7th of December 2015

This looks fantastic!!!

Carlee

Monday 7th of December 2015

Thank you so much!

Christine | Mid-Life Croissant

Wednesday 2nd of December 2015

Oh this is such a great idea! Delicious.

Carlee

Wednesday 2nd of December 2015

It is so fudgy and amazing!

Lita

Sunday 29th of November 2015

Oh my gosh! This sounds amazing. Great reuse for the extra brownie batter mix.

Wishes for tasty dishes, Linda

Carlee

Sunday 29th of November 2015

Thank you! We have been loving brownie batter recipes lately. We did brownie batter puppy chow and brownie batter ice cream too! Yum!

Unknown

Saturday 28th of November 2015

You had me at brownie, then you really had me at frosting. I would sit and eat this with a spoon. I think it needs me.

Carlee

Saturday 28th of November 2015

I know, right?!