• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Recipes
  • About Me
  • Subscribe

Mindy's Cooking Obsession

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About Me
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About Me
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Desserts & Treats

    Chocolate Coffee (Mocha) Frosting

    by Mindy Boyd · Published: Sep 4, 2024 · Updated: Oct 16, 2024

    Share by text, email, or on social!
    159Pinterest64FacebookEmailRedditXSMSFlipboardBluesky
    223
    SHARES
    Pinterest Hidden Image
    ⏲️ 5 minutes mins
    Jump to Recipe

    This chocolate mocha frosting combines two of my favorite things: chocolate and coffee! It’s perfect on your favorite chocolate cake, yellow cake, or cupcakes.

    I modified my Hershey’s Perfectly Chocolate Frosting by adding espresso to it. This straightforward recipe is made with common ingredients, and since we mix it by hand, you don’t even need an electric mixer. 

    A bowl of mocha frosting on a taupe colored napkin.
    Jump to:
    • Why you’ll love this great recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Ingredient Notes
    • How to make mocha frosting
    • Tips
    • How much frosting does this recipe make?
    •  Storage
    • Make these favorite desserts next!
    • Mocha Frosting Recipe
    A piece of chocolate cake with mocha frosting and rainbow sprinkles on it.

    Why you’ll love this great recipe

    • Make it on a whim because we use melted butter so no waiting for it to soften.
    • Chocolate and coffee are a delicious combination.
    • Only requires a few ingredients.
    • Pairs perfectly with chocolate cupcakes or cake, but will go well with many other cake flavors.

    Ingredients

    See recipe card for exact amounts.

    The powdered sugar, milk, cocoa powder, milk, vanilla and butter needed to make the Best Mocha Frosting Recipe.

    Ingredient Notes

    coffee – I use instant espresso powder (not an affiliate link just showing you what I use), I find espresso works better than instant coffee because it dissolves well. 

    cocoa powder – unsweetened cocoa powder gives our frosting the rich chocolate flavor we are looking for.

    powdered sugar – this is a key ingredient in most frosting to give it a nice smooth texture. 

    butter – we always have unsalted butter on-hand so we use it. Salted butter is okay in this recipe.

    milk – I use whole milk so I don’t have to buy heavy cream for just a small amount. 

    vanilla – a little pure vanilla extract adds nice flavor. 

    Some piped mocha frosting on a white plate.

    How to make mocha frosting

    1. Melt butter either in the microwave in a microwave safe bowl or in a small pan over low heat on the stove top. 
    2. Sift powdered sugar and cocoa into separate bowls.
    3. In a large mixing bowl combine the melted butter with the sifted cocoa and espresso powder.
    4. Stir the vanilla into the milk.
    5. Alternately add the powdered sugar and milk mixture to the butter mixture, stirring until well combined with a rubber spatula after each addition.
    A collage of three images showing the butter, cocoa, and espresso powder unmixed and mixed and then with the addition of milk and powdered sugar.

    Tips

    • I start and end with the powdered sugar and add it in about 4 additions. I add the milk-vanilla mixture in 3 additions. If the frosting is too thick add a little milk, if the frosting is too thin add a little bit more powdered sugar until the frosting is the right consistency. 
    • The mixing process, especially alternating between the powdered sugar and liquid is important. If you just throw everything into the bowl it won’t turn out right. I know this from experience 😉. 
    • Don’t skip sifting the powdered sugar and cocoa because this will help get the lumps out. You can pour it through a mesh strainer and push it through with a spoon.
    • I use a rubber spatula to mix everything together. 
    • For stronger mocha flavor add more espresso powder.
    A white bowl of mocha frosting on a napkin with a couple of decorating tips next to it.

    How much frosting does this recipe make?

    This recipe makes about 2 cups of frosting. That’s enough to frost one 9 inch layer cake, one 9X13 inch cake, or 16 cupcakes with about 2 tablespoons of frosting on each one. If you want a thicker layer or have more cupcakes it’s a good idea to make 1.5 – 2 times the recipe. If you have some leftover you can make these Graham Cracker Frosting Sandwich Cookies.

     Storage

    Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about a week. Bring to room temperature and stir before using. 

    A bowl filled with mocha frosting with the recipe title at the top so it can be pinned on Pinterest.

    Make these favorite desserts next!

    A close up shot of one peice of tornado cake on a white plate.

    Tornado Cake

    Moist cake made with crushed pineapple and topped with a coconut icing. 

    Very close up shot of one snickerdoodle leaning up against a bunch of cookies.

    Toffee Snickerdoodles

    Traditional snickerdoodle cookie studded with Heath bits, rolled in a sugar-cinnamon mixture.

    Close up side view of one piece of Cowboy Coffee Cake (buttermilk coffeecake).

    Cowboy Coffee Cake

    An old classic dessert easy enough to make every day and fancy enough for special occasions.

    Did you love this recipe?

    We would love it if you’d leave a comment and ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review below!

    Feature image of a white bowl full of mocha frosting.

    Mocha Frosting Recipe

    Mindy Boyd
    Looking for a delicious frosting recipe? Try our best mocha frosting with a rich chocolate and coffee flavor. Perfect to put on your favorite cake or cupcakes!
    No ratings yet
    Print – Email Required Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 0 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 16 servings of 2 tablespoons each

    Ingredients
      

    • 1/2 cup butter
    • 3 cups powdered sugar
    • 2/3 cup cocoa powder
    • 1 tbsp instant espresso powder
    • 1/3 cup milk
    • 1 tsp vanilla
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    I earn a small commission from Instacart for qualifying purchases.

    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Melt butter either in the microwave in a microwave safe bowl or in a small pan over low heat on the stove top. 
      1/2 cup butter
    • Sift powdered sugar and cocoa.
    • In a large bowl combine melted butter with espresso powder and sifted cocoa.
      2/3 cup cocoa powder, 1 tbsp instant espresso powder
    • Stir vanilla into milk.
      1/3 cup milk, 1 tsp vanilla
    • Alternately add powdered sugar and milk mixture to butter mixture, stirring until well combined with a rubber spatula after each addition.
      3 cups powdered sugar

    Notes

    Did you make this recipe? We would love it if you would leave us a comment and ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review below!
     
    Nutritional information is only an estimate and may not be correct for the specific ingredients used.  
     
    See notes, tips and other valuable information in the post above.
     
    Bookmark this page to find it quickly when you are ready to make this recipe!

    Nutrition Facts

    Serving: 2tbsp | Calories: 151kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 49mg | Potassium: 76mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 186IU | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was with a comment below.
    Share by text, email, or on social!
    159Pinterest64FacebookEmailRedditXSMSFlipboardBluesky
    223
    SHARES

    More Desserts & Treats

    • Feature image of four brownies stacked on top of each other so the inside is visible.
      Peanut Butter Chocolate Banana Brownies
    • Feature image of the side view of several brownies.
      Red Velvet Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting
    • Feature image of the one frosted cookie with honey being drizzled on top.
      Jiffy Cornbread Cookies
    • Feature image on a close up of the side of one piece of Carrot Cake Using Yellow Cake Mix.
      Carrot Cake Using Yellow Cake Mix

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    A picture of me sitting at my dining room table.
    Hi, I’m Mindy! Whether I’m cooking for friends and family or sharing recipes with you, I love feeding people. And it doesn’t have to be complicated! Here, you’ll find quick and easy recipes that don’t require a long list of ingredients or take too much time.

    More about me →


    Connect with us!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Reader Favorites

    • Four cooked cube steaks in the air fryer basket.
      Air Fryer Cube Steak
    • Three potatoes on a sheet pan after they have been baked in the oven without foil.
      Baked Potato Without Foil
    • Several air fried biscuits in a cloth lined basket.
      Air Fryer Canned Biscuits
    • one piece of cake on a white plate.
      Tornado (Do Nothing) Cake
    • Homemade Arby’s Chicken Salad
    • Overhead view of several fried squash rounds on a white plate.
      Southern Fried Yellow Squash

    Popular Pasta Dishes

    • Homemade Tuna Helper Creamy Pasta
    • Feature image showing the skillet full of cooked cheesy chili mac.
      One-Pot Chili Mac
    • Overhead close up shot of a bronze colored pot full of alfredo chicken broccoli pasta.
      Alfredo Chicken Pasta & Broccoli (with jar sauce)
    • Overhead close up of one serving of lemon pasta with peas and ricotta on a white plate.
      Lemon Pasta with Peas & Ricotta
    • A white plate with one serving of hamburger helper on it.
      Hamburger Helper Italian Shells
    • A serving of Cheesy Chicken & Broccoli Orzo on a white plate.
      Cheesy Chicken & Broccoli Orzo
    • close up view of one pot meaty marinara pasta on a white plate.
      One Pot Meaty Marinara Pasta
    • Cheesy Beef Taco Noodles - ground beef, onion, cheese soup, salsa, corn and Light 'n Fluffy Noodles. Easy to make and on the table in about 25 minutes!
      Cheesy Beef Taco Noodles
    • Overhead view of plate with one serving of homemade hamburger helper cheeseburger macaroni.
      Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Macaroni

    Recent Posts

    • Chicken Bacon Ranch Sandwich
    • Dairy Free Zuppa Toscana
    • Pasta with Tuna & Peas
    • Peanut Butter Chocolate Banana Brownies
    • Vodka Sauce Baked Ziti
    • Blended Baked Oats (no banana)

    Footer

    Featured on

    The websites I have been featured in, parade, purewow, msn, mashed and brit+co.

    ↑ back to top

    Every recipe on this blog is tested in my own kitchen and written by me, Mindy. I occasionally use AI tools to help with things like editing or brainstorming, but the cooking, photography, and storytelling are all mine.

    Newsletter

    SIGN UP TO RECEIVE EMAIL UPDATES

    CONNECT WITH US!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    FIND IT HERE

    Privacy Policy | Contact

    Copyright © 2025 Mindy's Cooking Obsession

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required