Skip to main content

Chocolate-Sour Cream Frosting

Similar to dark chocolate frosting (page 302), this topping gets its intense color from the addition of semisweet chocolate. Sour cream and cream cheese impart tangy flavor and ultra-creamy consistency. This frosting would pair well with any chocolate cupcake, particularly devil’s food (page 34; also made with sour cream), as well as those made with banana, such as the roasted banana cupcakes on page 141.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes about 8 cups

Ingredients

1 pound (4 cups) confectioners’ sugar, sifted
1/2 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
12 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
18 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted and cooled (see page 323)
1 1/2 cups sour cream

Preparation

  1. Sift together confectioners’ sugar, cocoa, and salt. With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat cream cheese and butter until pale and fluffy. Reduce speed to low. Gradually add sugar mixture; mix until combined. Mix in melted and cooled chocolate and then sour cream; scrape down sides of bowl and continue beating until smooth. Use immediately, or frosting can be stored in the refrigerator up to 5 days, or frozen up to 1 month, in an airtight container. Before using, bring to room temperature and beat on low speed until smooth.

Martha Stewart's Cupcakes
Read More
Fall dreams are made of this. Who are we to disagree?
This isn’t competing with a brownie. It’s in a class of its own.
This rice pudding features a brûléed top and a scoop of mango sorbet for brightness and as a nod to the classic sticky rice flavor.
Enchiladas meet pumpkin in this cozy weeknight dinner.
Canned pumpkin, you shouldn’t have!
A few clever changes take classic Rice Krispies Treats to soaring new heights.
This rustic no-knead loaf gets subtle sweetness and perfect-PBJ potential by trading the usual water for apple juice.
Top slow-roasted sweet potatoes with tamarind concentrate, green chutney, fresh onions, tomatoes, and cilantro for a chaat-inspired appetizer.