How To Make Canned Chocolate Frosting Taste Homemade

What can you add to store-bought chocolate frosting to make it taste better? I can help with that! My easy hack for making canned chocolate frosting taste homemade will have your guests begging for the “recipe”! ;)

Now, don’t get me wrong, my favorite type of frosting is homemade frosting. In fact, my 3rd cookbook was on this delicious topic – Frostings! There are times, however, where you might find yourself in a pinch and want a way to take your canned frosting up a notch! I got you!

One of the many reasons I love this ‘doctored chocolate frosting’ is that it makes the canned frosting easier to spread. Straight out of the can, the frosting tends to sort of goopy and sticky which sometimes makes it break or crumble the cake layers, for example.

You won’t have that problem with this hack, because it makes it fluffier, lighter and more whipped in texture, thus easier to spread than regular canned frosting. It tastes amazing!

Store bought canned frosting is also too sweet, in my opinion. I love that this canned chocolate frosting hack makes it more homemade in taste and increases the amount so it’s perfect for frosting a 2-layer 8 or 9″ cake or 24 cupcakes.

Which canned chocolate frosting is best?

First things first, which brand of chocolate frosting should you use? The one in your pantry! This is a quick recipe hack, so no need to worry too much, use what you have. The different brands will change the flavor (for example, milk chocolate frosting vs dark chocolate frostings), but you’ve likely found yourself in a pinch and want to elevate what you already have, so don’t worry too much.

One note is that “whipped” varieties of frosting are usually too light and whipped to achieve the best tasting results, so go with a “regular” non-whipped, if possible, for this “cheater frosting” recipe.

However, if you’re heading out to the store, I suggest using Betty Crocker Rich & Cream Chocolate or Duncan Hines Creamy Chocolate Frosting. These two varieties give the best chocolate taste, in my opinion! You can also grab a dark chocolate canned frosting if you spot that also, this will give it a richer, darker flavor that’s super delicious!

So let’s get right to the secrets to making canned chocolate frosting taste homemade…just a few pantry staples…

Ingredients Needed for Making Canned Chocolate Frosting Taste Better

1. You’ll need your 16 ounce can of chocolate frosting. Which type is best? Read above for some of my suggestions on the most delicious variety, but any brand will work.
2. Room temperature unsalted butter
3. Powdered Sugar (also referred to as Confectioner’s Sugar)
4. Pinch of Salt
5. Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
6. Vanilla Extract (go for the high-quality, pure vanilla extract here, it makes all the difference)
7. Milk/Cream (only 1-2 tablespoons so use what you have on hand). You can use heavy whipping cream also.

How to Make Store Bought Chocolate Frosting Taste Better

Let’s get right into what the steps to make semi-homemade chocolate frosting. Ready?

First you’ll want to make sure you’re using room temperature butter. This will ensure the butter will cream together to the right texture. At least 1-2 hours on your counter prior to making the frosting is ideal.

I use unsalted butter and add a pinch of salt (to cut the sweetness of store bought canned frosting because canned frosting tastes too sweet to me), but you can use salted butter and omit the pinch of salt. This will alter the taste slightly but nothing too drastic.

Using an electric mixer or a hand mixer, cream the room temperature butter until smooth and then slowly add in the cocoa powder. Whip together until smooth. Does it matter what type of cocoa powder you use? Nope, just use unsweetened cocoa powder.

Add in the canned store-bought frosting and whip until incorporated. Add in powdered sugar, gradually, and mix until smooth. Add vanilla extract and milk. Beat for 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until a fluffy, spreadable textured frosting is achieved.

If your frosting is too thick to spread, add more milk or cream by the tablespoon until desired consistency is reached. Is your frosting too wet or loose to spread? Add more powered sugar by the 1/4 cup-full until you have the perfect frosting consistency!

If you’re going to pipe flowers or other details with this frosting, you’ll want to be sure it’s pretty thick. I find this frosting ideal for spreading on cakes, cookies, bars and piping big swirls on cupcakes. I usually fill a piping bag with a large swirl tip for cupcakes, by the way! It’s not the best frosting for tiny, intricate piping, however.

This almost homemade chocolate buttercream frosting is the easiest way to take your canned chocolate frosting to the next level! It has a much richer flavor, easier to spread consistency and will absolutely have your friends and family thinking it’s homemade chocolate frosting. We won’t tell!

I also use a similar hack for vanilla buttercream frosting, so let me know if you want me to post that “recipe” too!

Want more of my favorite frosting recipes? Check out these:

• Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
• Browned Butter Frosting
• Cinnamon Frosting