Mint Chocolate Chip Buttercream
This Mint Chocolate Chip Buttercream frosting recipe is one of my all-time favorites!
In my book, the combination of mint and chocolate is absolute perfection, and so it only stands to reason that Mint Chocolate Buttercream would be out of this world! It is SO good.
The only thing better than a bowl of this mint chocolate chip frosting and a spoon, is a chocolate cake or cupcake swirled generously with it.
If you like mint chocolate chip ice cream, you're gonna love this frosting!
Table of Contents
Mint vs. Peppermint Extract
You'll notice in the recipe that we call for peppermint extract rather than mint. It's been years since I've experimented with using mint extract with this frosting but I do remember that it wasn't my favorite-it reminded me too much of minty toothpaste ;0) .
Maybe it was just the brand of extract I was using but peppermint has been my go-to ever since. It tastes amazing!
Feel free to do a little experimenting with mint extract if you'd like, but for me, THIS is what Mint Chocolate Chip Buttercream should taste like.
Mint Buttercream vs. Mint Chocolate Chip
For extra easy smoothing, you can leave out the mini chocolate chips for the outer frosting, and simply add chips to the filling when making a mint chocolate chip cake. The mini chips do make piping tricky unless your piping tip has a very large opening.
While I often leave out the chips when frosting the outside of the cake, it can be done! You may just need to apply the frosting a little thicker than usual so that the mini chips can be more easily smoothed into the frosting as you make your way around the cake with your bench scraper.
As with most of our American Buttercreams, this recipe develops a slight crust and is so simple to make! You'll love the silky smooth texture, and of course the mint-chocolatey flavor. Beware, this frosting is highly addictive! Enjoy!
Mint Chocolate Chip Buttercream
Ingredients
- 2 sticks 226g unsalted butter, softened
- 6-7 cups 690-805g powdered sugar depending on desired consistency (see our note beneath recipe about sugar)
- 1 teaspoon 8g peppermint extract. Taste for desired flavor (will intensify slightly over time.)
- ¼ cup 60g whole milk
- Green Coloring Gel optional. We used Americolor Mint Green
- ½ teaspoon 3g salt (optional to cut sweetness. preferably fine grain or white popcorn salt)
Instructions
- Cream the softened butter until smooth. Blend in the peppermint. Add half of the powdered sugar and most of the milk. Beat at medium speed until the powdered sugar is incorporated.
- Add remaining powdered sugar, milk, coloring gel, and mix at medium speed another 3 to 4 minutes scraping the sides of the bowl occasionally. The texture will become very smooth. Stir in desired amount of mini chocolate chips! Soooo good!
- Can be frozen in air tight container for at least three months . Thaw on countertop.
Loved This Recipe?!
Brand of Powdered Sugar & Texture
** We’ve had great results with Domino’s confectioner’s sugar and US Sugar (we buy ours from Costco). Some brands of confectioner’s sugar don’t work as well with buttercream frosting recipes.
If a package doesn’t say pure cane sugar, it contains beet sugar which is more likely to give you a grainy outcome. In addition to that, we’ve noticed that even some brands that say “Pure Cane Sugar” will give a grainy consistency. So frustrating!
One example is Dixie Crystals (although it used to work great for us a few years ago.) Something has changed…it’s a mystery. Anyway, this recipe should not be grainy, and so if it is, experiment with a different confectioners sugar.
More Mint and Chocolate Recipes to Try!
Don't miss our Mint Chocolate Chip Cake Recipe! We use this frosting as a filling, and also as an outer coating of frosting (minus the mini chips). This chocolate and mint cake is a slice of heaven! Find the recipe here: Mint Chocolate Chip Cake Recipe
Around the holidays, you may like to experiment with peppermint buttercream (pretty much the same as this recipe, lol) for a festive candy cane cake!
We had so much fun creating this red and white striped peppermint buttercream filling and the flavor is divine! You can find our fun, free Chocolate Candy Cane Cake tutorial here!: Chocolate Candy Cane Cake
Hi Agnija--- Yes, T is tablespoon.
Hi Agnija--- Yes, T is tablespoon.
This is absolutely delish and tastes like ice cream!
Thanks lanicakes! It's one of my favorites! ;0)
Hi Melissa, how many grams are in your sticks of butter? Butter in the uk isn't measured/ weighed in sticks. Thank you :)
Hi, A stick of butter is 113g
Hi Melissa, could you give a recipe for white buttercream like you used on the tie dye cake. I usually make buttercream with butter and icing sugar (confectioner's sugar) with vanilla extract but even if I beat it for a long time it's still a creamy colour. Thanks, Kerry (in N.Ireland)
Hi Kerry, I think we used the Fluffy Vanilla Buttercream frosting that is in the recipe section. It has a small amount of butter but still makes a nice white frosting. The High Ratio Frosting recipe has no butter so will be a shade lighter. When making the frosting be sure to use clear vanilla extract. Hope this helps.
Is this a crusting Buttercream?
Yes, it is a crusting buttercream.
How long can a cake with this icing sit out at room temp?
Hi Kelly, We think 3 days is the maximum for this buttercream, after that time it begins to have an "off" taste. If the cake is in very hot and humid area, the time will be shorter.