Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

Ingredients

• 200g / 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 1/2 cups soft icing sugar / powdered sugar, sifted (Note 1)
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder, unsweetened, preferably Dutch Processed, sifted(Note 3)
• 1/4 cup milk (any)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)

Steps

1. With the paddle attached to the stand mixer, put the butter in its bowl. Give it 3 minutes of beating on speed 7, until pale.
2. Beat the mixture after adding half of the icing sugar and cocoa powder: give it 3 minutes, starting slowly and increasing to speed 7.
3. Once the remaining icing sugar and cocoa powder are added, beat for another 3 minutes.
4. After the milk and optional vanilla have been added, beat again for 1 minute on speed 7.
5. Coat cakes or cupcakes by spreading on the frosting. Alternatively, spoon it into a frosting bag and pipe it.