A favorite chocolate dessert most likely is topped with a chocolate icing which makes it more attractive. There are multiple versions of the creamy topping for cakes, cookies, cupcakes and pies which can be whipping up easily once you know how to make chocolate icing. Whether you want chocolate buttercream, chocolate ganache, or you want to learn to make Grandma's recipe using instant coffee and sour cream, the basic steps and ingredients for chocolate icing will come in handy.

Whether you need a luscious topping for baked goods or even a rich dip for fresh fruit, chocolate icing is always a crowd pleaser. Choose the traditional chocolate buttercream icing or make a versatile chocolate ganache that can be used to create a shiny glaze for cakes or cupcakes, whipped into a fluffy frosting or filling for baked goods and used to make truffles.All Recipes: Chocolate Ganache Either version will be ready to use in approximately 15 minutes.

• Blend this two-cup batch of fluffy chocolate icing, also known as "chocolate buttercream," in about 15 minutes.

• Ingredients

• 3 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar

• 2/3 cup cocoa powder

• 1/3cup milk

• 1/2 cup butter

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• Equipment

• Saucepan

• Mixing bowls

• Flour sifter

• Spoon

• Stove

1. Melt the butter in a saucepan.Hershey's Kitchens: "Perfectly Chocolate" Chocolate Frosting
2. Stir in the cocoa powder and vanilla.All Recipes: Chocolate Frosting II-2
   • -Swap two ounces of unsweetened baking chocolate for the cocoa powder if you prefer.All Recipes: Chocolate Frosting III
   • -To create white chocolate icing, use six ounces of white chocolate instead of the cocoa powderEpicurious: White Chocolate Frosting
3. Stir in the milk.All Recipes: Chocolate Frosting I-2
4. Gradually add the confectioner's sugar until you reach the desired consistency.All Recipes: Chocolate Frosting I-2
5. Stir the frosting to ensure it's smooth before spreading.Martha Stewart: Ultimate Chocolate Frosting
   • -Add more milk to thin the frosting to make it easier to spread.All Recipes: Chocolate Cookie Buttercream Frosting

• Since there are only two ingredients, use good-quality chocolate to create this shiny, decadent topping. This recipe will yield about three cups.

• Ingredients

• 1 1/4 pounds bittersweet chocolate

• 2 1/2 cups heavy cream

• Equipment

• Knife or food processor

• Mixing bowl

• Saucepan

• Stove

• Whisk or spoon

1. Chop the chocolate with a serrated knife or using a food processor.Food Network: Alton Brown's Ganache Frosting Recipe
2. Place the chocolate in a heat-proof bowl.Martha Stewart: Chocolate Ganache
3. Heat the cream in a saucepan over medium-high heat just until it comes to a boil.All Recipes: Ganache I
   • -Watch the pan closely since the cream will boil over almost immediately after it begins boiling.All Recipes: Chocolate Ganache
4. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate.Martha Stewart: Chocolate Ganache
5. Stir the mixture with a whisk until it's smooth.All Recipes: Chocolate Ganache
6. Let the ganache cool before using.Recipezaar: Ganache
7. Store the ganache up to two weeks in the refrigerator.Recipezaar: Basic Ganache
   • -To get the refrigerated ganache back to a spreadable consistency, reheat it by stirring it in a stainless steel bowl over hot water.All Recipes: Ganache I

• Adjust the consistency, sweetness and flavors of the chocolate icing and chocolate ganache with one of these simple variations.

1. Adjust the amount of cocoa powder to create light, medium or dark chocolate frosting.Recipezaar: Kittencal's Chocolate Buttercream Frosting.
2. Use heavy cream instead of milk for a slightly thicker icing.Epicurious: Chocolate Frosting
3. Evaporated milk makes the frosting extra sweet and creamy.All Recipes: Creamy Chocolate Frosting
4. Add pecans to make a icing with crunchy texture and nutty flavor.Martha Stewart: Mario Bosquez's Mexican Chocolate Icing
5. Beating in egg whites will create a chocolate meringue icing.All Recipes: Chocolate Meringue Frosting
6. Incorporate instant coffee to blend a mocha version of the frosting.All Recipes: Chocolate Frosting II
7. Blend a creamy and tangy icing by adding cream cheese and sour cream.Martha Stewart: Chocolate Frosting
8. Use maple syrup and soy milk to create a vegan ganache.Recipezaar: Ganache
9. Impart a lemon background flavor to the chocolate ganache by adding the fruit's juice and zest.Recipezaar: Lemon Ganache
10. Instant powdered espresso gives the ganache a rich coffee flavor.Recipezaar: Coffee Ganache

There are numerous uses for chocolate frosting including as topping for cupcakes, cakes and cookies. Additionally, Mahalo has resources for making delectable cupcakes to pair with the icing at how to make vanilla cupcakes and how to make chocolate cupcakes. You can find directions to bake crunchy cookies at how to make sugar cookies and how to bake Christmas cookies. You can also get creative with your frosting with innovative techniques found at how to decorate Christmas cupcakes, how to make and decorate Hanukkah cupcakes, how to decorate Halloween cupcakes and how to decorate Thanksgiving cupcakes.