Whether you’re making a batch homemade or Brownies out of Cake Mix, you may want some chocolate or vanilla brownie frosting on the top!! There are several varieties to choose from, we will share a few to make.

A mixing bowl filled with creamy, light yellow butter awaits. An electric mixer with two beaters, coated in the same velvety mixture for a luscious brownie frosting, rests above the bowl on a pristine white countertop.
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This brownie frosting recipe is a delightful addition to an already delicious dessert. It adds sweetness, creaminess, and extra flavor to your chocolate treats. We have 5 recipes below to choose from as well as a few of our favorite ways to make the base as well. (affiliate links present)

Easy Frosting for Brownies

There are a few different choices that fall into 3 basic categories; chocolate glaze, buttercream and/or cream cheese. The one you make will depend on what type of base you are working with and your flavor preferences – tastebuds. Like with our Brownie Bread I go with more of a ganache like pour over the top!

I typically won’t add anything on top of our Pressure Cooker Brownies but you totally could. To get the most oomph out of it instead of piping or pouring on to the whole thing when done, slice, serve with a dollop on each piece so it covers every inch.

frosting for brownies

Chocolate Frosting for Brownies

Now with your frosting you can tweak any of these with other touches. Like our Coffee Frosting you would add some espresso tastes as well as a little caffeine. 😉 A fun option if you are serving these for a brunch time of day that will be a welcome surprise for your guests. I have two recipes below in the card below. What you need for Brownie Ganache is below;

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup chocolate that has been chopped or use chips
  • pinch of salt
  • Vanilla
  • 6 tbsp whipping cream

Now this is more of a pour over the top mixture as you see here. Best if you do it while slightly warm on top of a cooling rack so it can drain all over and excess can drip off to the bottom.

  1. You can heat the cream until hot in a double boiler and add the chopped chocolate pieces or chips.
  2. Stir until you have a smooth ganache with no remaining chocolate chips.
  3. Place brownies on a wire rack and top with chocolate ganache.
  4. Leave for an hour and a half to harden.
  5. Best stored in the refrigerator for topping to not melt
A rectangular brownie coated with a smooth, glossy layer of chocolate glaze rests on a black wire cooling rack, placed atop a textured black surface.
Should brownies be frosted?

That is personal preference really but it does add another added layer of sweetness for sure. Vanilla buttercream is wonderful and a nice duo with the fudgy bottom layer, or chocolate makes it super rich.

What can you use to decorate brownies?

The easiest thing to make the tops pretty would be to add sprinkles on top when the frosting is a bit sticky. You could sprinkle some on to the top of your batter before baking it too if you wanted to add some color and texture.

Should you frost brownies warm or cool?

You should wait until they are completely cooled at room temperature or it will slide right off and make a mess. When keeping leftovers I would keep separately and frost before serving for best results.

A stand mixer bowl filled with creamy, smooth batter. A paddle attachment is visible, partially coated with the batter. A vanilla extract bottle and a hint of brownie frosting are partially visible on the left side of the image.

Want something lighter in flavor to counteract the richness of the base? I get it. You can go with a tub of ready made piped on top of course but our Cream Cheese Frosting Without Butter is better than that and can be made dairy free as well!

Serving during the holidays? Add a bit of mint into the mix to go with the whole theme right? In that case Peppermint Frosting is the way to go for Christmas time y’all.

Brownie Buttercream Frosting

Below are step by step instructions but shown here as well. If you want a fluffy mixture like what you find on top of a cake at a bakery you would want to make this one below or our Cool Whip pudding frosting recipe.

Ingredients

  • Unsalted butter that has been softened
  • 1/2 cup Dutch cocoa powder
  • Powdered sugar, sometimes also called confectioners’ sugar
  • 3-4 tbsp heavy whipping cream
  • Vanilla extract
  • A pinch (1/8 tsp or so) of salt will intensify the rich chocolate flavor

You really do want to try and sift the cocoa powder to remove any lumps to begin with. This will help ensure a smooth mixture.

  1. It is best to sift the cocoa powder and powdered sugar together to remove any lumps first. This will help ensure a smooth texture. In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer or a stand mixer with your paddle attachment to cream the softened butter until it becomes smooth and creamy.
  2. Add all other ingredients and beat on low speed initially for 30 seconds, then increase to high for another 60 seconds.
  3. If you think it is too thick gradually add up to another 1/4 c powdered sugar to thicken or 1 tbsp of cream until it is the texture you want.
  4. Use the chocolate buttercream frosting immediately to frost your desired dessert.

How to store leftover frosting

If you’re not using it right away, cover it with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Before using , allow it to come to room temperature and give it a quick mix to restore its smoothness.

A mixing bowl filled with creamy, light yellow butter awaits. An electric mixer with two beaters, coated in the same velvety mixture for a luscious brownie frosting, rests above the bowl on a pristine white countertop.
5 from 1 vote

Brownie Frosting

By The Typical Mom
Whether you’re making a batch homemade or Brownies out of Cake Mix, you may want some brownie frosting on the top too!! 
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 0 minutes
Servings: 24
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Equipment

  • 1 mixer
  • 1 Bowl
  • piping bag and tip

Ingredients 

  • 1 c butter, unsalted, softened to room temperature
  • 1/2 c Dutch cocoa powder, Dutch is best
  • 3.5 c powdered sugar
  • 3-3.5 tbsp milk, more ore less depending on thickness desired
  • 1 3/4 tsp vanilla
  • 1 pinch salt, about 1/8 no more

Instructions 

  • Brownie buttercream frosting – Use ingredients above – It is best to sift the cocoa powder and powdered sugar together to remove any lumps first. This will help ensure a smooth frosting. In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer or a stand mixer with your paddle attachment to cream the softened butter until it becomes smooth and creamy for about 2 minutes.
  • Add all other ingredients and beat on low speed initially for 30 seconds, then increase to high for another 60 seconds. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure even mixing.
  • If you think it is too thick gradually add up to another 1/4 c powdered sugar to thicken or 1 tbsp of cream until it is the texture you want.
  • Use immediately or if you want it cold or to use later spoon into a piping bag or sealed container and store in the fridge for up to 1 week. Allow to soften on countertop out of fridge before piping out of bag.
  • Brownie Ganache – 1/3 cup chopped chocolate or chips + 1/4 tsp vanilla + 6 tbsp whipping cream + pinch of salt
  • You can heat the cream until hot in a double boiler and add the chopped chocolate pieces or chips. Stir until you have a smooth ganache with no remaining chocolate chips. (this could also be done by melting chocolate chips in microwave in 30 second increments stirring in between until smooth)
  • Place brownies on a wire rack and top with chocolate ganache. Leave for an hour and a half to harden. Best stored in the refrigerator for topping to not melt

Nutrition

Serving: 1oz, Calories: 142kcal, Carbohydrates: 19g, Protein: 0.5g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.3g, Cholesterol: 21mg, Sodium: 64mg, Potassium: 33mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 17g, Vitamin A: 239IU, Calcium: 7mg, Iron: 0.3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @thetypical_mom or tag #thetypicalmom!

About The Typical Mom

Justine is the creative mind behind The Typical Mom and The Typical Family on YouTube. She began blogging about easy recipes, budget friendly activities for kids, and fun family travel destinations in September 2012.

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5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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