This Sour Cream Chocolate Frosting is creamy, lightly tangy, and quick to make. With melted butter and chocolate, cocoa powder, sour cream, vanilla, and powdered sugar, it whips up into a smooth frosting that's great for spreading-not piping. It's less sweet than typical buttercream and perfect for frosting cakes or cupcakes with ease.

close up of a spatula with chocolate sour cream frosting on.

I developed this chocolate sour cream frosting recipe to top my chocolate sour cream cake recipe. Sour cream on sour cream and chocolate on chocolate always are a good idea! Like in this sour cream chocolate chip bundt cake.

I much prefer this creamy, tangy chocolate frosting to chocolate buttercream frosting. The sour cream helps provide a creamy but not overly sweet frosting. If you are looking for a frosting recipe to pipe this is not it, this is a creamy smooth frosting.

Why These Simple Ingredients Shine

For this frosting recipe you will need:

Salted Butter & Good-Quality Chocolate
The base of this frosting-creates a glossy and richly flavored canvas.
Full-Fat Sour Cream
Adds tang and a silkiness that balances richness without excess sweetness.
Dutch-Process Cocoa Powder & Vanilla
Deepens chocolate flavor and adds warmth; vanilla brightens it beautifully.
Confectioners' Sugar
Sweetens and structures the frosting; sift to avoid lumps.

You definitely don't need to use a stand mixer for this recipe but you can if you'd like!

ingredients for sour cream chocolate frosting in small glass bowls on a light surface.

For ingredient quantities please reference the recipe card below. On the recipe card there is a button for US or M (Metric) measurements.

Whip Up This Simple Chocolate Frosting

butter and chocolate melted together in a glass bowl on an light surface with an orange linen. — Melt the chocolate and butter together then set aside the melted chocolate butter mixture to cool.

sour cream, vanilla extract and cocoa powder added to ganache in an glass bowl on an light surface with an orange linen. — Add the sour cream, vanilla extract and cocoa powder and whisk to combine.

confectioners sugar mixed into chocolate frosting in an glass bowl on an light surface with an orange linen. — Scrape down the sides of the bowl to make sure all is combined, add in half of the sifted confectioners sugar.

powdered sugar mixed into chocolate sour cream mixture in a glass bowl on an light surface with an orange linen. — Stir to combine, then add in the remaining sugar.

If you are looking for a thicker frosting then add one more tablespoon of confectioners sugar at a time until you reach your desired consistency.

bowl of chocolate sour cream frosting on an light surface with an orange linen.

Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. When ready to use let sit at room temperature and re-mix to smooth the frosting out.

★★★★★ Please let me know if you make this recipe by leaving a star rating and comment below!

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Recipe Card