How to Make Black Buttercream Using Black Cocoa Powder
How to Make Black Buttercream with Black Cocoa Powder
Want rich, dark black buttercream without adding a huge amount of black food coloring? Black cocoa powder can help you achieve a dramatically darker frosting while giving it a delicious chocolate flavor similar to Oreo cookies.
We recently tested black cocoa buttercream in our own kitchen at Candyland Crafts. The finished frosting tasted great, developed a deep black color and continued to darken over the next 24 hours. We also learned that the mixing method makes a big difference in creating smooth buttercream.
Why Use Black Cocoa Powder for Buttercream?
- Helps you use much less black food coloring.
- Creates a deep, dark chocolate base that is easier to turn black.
- Has a rich chocolate flavor similar to Oreo cookies.
- Does not have the bitter taste that can come from using too much black food coloring.
- Is less likely to stain teeth and lips than frosting made with a large amount of black dye.
- Continues to darken as the frosting rests.
- Works beautifully for Halloween, gothic, galaxy, superhero and elegant black cakes.
What We Learned When Making Black Cocoa Buttercream
We tested black cocoa powder in buttercream and learned several important things that can help you get better results.
Use a Stand Mixer
Black cocoa powder needs to be mixed thoroughly into the buttercream. We found that using a stand mixer and mixing on high speed for several minutes helped create a smoother texture.
If the black cocoa is not mixed long enough, the buttercream may taste or feel slightly grainy. Continue mixing until the cocoa is fully incorporated and the frosting is smooth.
Let the Buttercream Rest Before Adding More Color
Do not judge the final color immediately after mixing. Our black cocoa buttercream became noticeably darker after resting for approximately 24 hours.
Prepare the buttercream a day before you plan to decorate whenever possible. You may discover that you need much less black gel food coloring than you originally expected.
Black Cocoa Tastes Like Oreo Cookies
One of the best things about black cocoa powder is the flavor. Black cocoa has the familiar dark chocolate taste associated with Oreo-style cookies.
Instead of tasting like frosting with too much food coloring, the finished buttercream has a rich chocolate flavor that pairs well with chocolate, vanilla, cookies and cream, red velvet and many other cake flavors.
Does Black Cocoa Completely Replace Black Food Coloring?
Black cocoa powder creates a very dark frosting, but it may not produce a completely jet-black color on its own. For a true black finish, you may still want to add a small amount of black gel food coloring.
The advantage is that the black cocoa creates a dark starting point, allowing you to use significantly less food coloring than you would need when starting with white or light-colored buttercream.
Tips for Making Smooth Black Cocoa Buttercream
- Use a stand mixer whenever possible.
- Mix on high speed for several minutes to fully incorporate the cocoa.
- Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl while mixing.
- Allow the frosting to rest so the cocoa can fully hydrate.
- Make the buttercream approximately 24 hours before decorating.
- Add black gel food coloring gradually.
- Wait for the color to develop before adding more dye.
Why Is My Black Cocoa Buttercream Grainy?
Black cocoa buttercream can feel grainy when the cocoa powder has not been completely incorporated or hydrated. This is why we recommend using a stand mixer and mixing the buttercream on high speed for several minutes.
Continue mixing until the frosting becomes smooth. Allowing the finished buttercream to rest can also help the cocoa absorb moisture and improve the texture.
Why Does Black Buttercream Get Darker Overnight?
Black cocoa powder continues to absorb moisture and develop color after it is mixed into the frosting. As the buttercream rests, the color becomes deeper and more even.
Our buttercream was noticeably darker after 24 hours. Making it ahead of time can reduce the amount of additional black coloring needed.
What Can You Make with Black Cocoa Buttercream?
Black cocoa buttercream is perfect for:
- Halloween cakes and cupcakes
- Gothic and vintage cakes
- Black wedding cakes
- Galaxy and outer-space cakes
- Superhero cakes
- Soccer ball decorations
- Cookies and cream cakes
- Wednesday-inspired cakes
- Graduation cakes
- Dragon and fantasy cakes
- Cake pops
- Decorated cookies
Frequently Asked Questions About Black Cocoa Buttercream
Does black cocoa powder taste bitter?
Black cocoa has a deep chocolate flavor similar to Oreo cookies. It helps create flavorful black frosting without the unpleasant taste that can result from adding too much black food coloring.
Will black cocoa powder make frosting completely black?
Black cocoa creates a very dark brown or nearly black frosting. A small amount of black gel food coloring may still be needed for a true jet-black finish.
How long should I mix black cocoa buttercream?
Mix the buttercream with a stand mixer on high speed for several minutes. Continue mixing until the cocoa is completely incorporated and the frosting no longer feels grainy.
Should I make black buttercream ahead of time?
Yes. Black cocoa buttercream continues to darken as it rests. For the best color, prepare it approximately 24 hours before decorating.
Does black cocoa buttercream stain your mouth?
Because black cocoa allows you to use less black food coloring, it is less likely to stain your teeth, lips or tongue than buttercream made with a large quantity of black dye.
Can I use black cocoa powder in other frostings?
Yes. Black cocoa can be used in buttercream, cream cheese frosting, chocolate ganache and other chocolate-based frostings. You may need to adjust the amount of liquid because cocoa powder absorbs moisture.
Shop Black Cocoa Powder
Make deeply colored frosting with less black food coloring. Our ultra-dark black cocoa powder creates a rich Oreo-style chocolate flavor and is perfect for buttercream, cakes, cookies, brownies and Halloween desserts.