This mint chocolate chip buttercream frosting is rich and creamy and tastes just like the ice cream version. Topping your cakes, cupcakes, and cookies with this is an easy way to take the flavor to the next level and wow all of your friends and family. I like to add a big scoop to the top of a homemade chocolate cupcake, but it tastes fantastic with any of your favorite sweets!
There are a few flavor combinations out there that are obviously a match made in Heaven. Chocolate and peanut butter, apples and cinnamon, cookies and cream, and, of course, mint and chocolate.
This super simple recipe tastes just like a big scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream, except you don't have to worry about it melting. Now, you can bring this delicious combination of flavors to any of your favorite desserts!
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Make sure you check out all of my cake recipes for pairing with this mint buttercream frosting!
🥘 Ingredients
You only need a handful of simple ingredients for this irresistible buttercream. Use high-quality ingredients for the best results.
- Butter - 1 cup of room temperature butter. Make sure that it is at room temperature so that it can be whipped properly! If you don't know how to soften butter to room temperature- take a look at my post here.
- Heavy Cream - 2 tablespoons of heavy cream. This is used to thin out the frosting so that it can reach your ideal consistency. You can also use half & half or whole milk if needed.
- Peppermint Extract - ¼ teaspoon of peppermint extract. You only need a small amount!
- Food Coloring - 2-3 drops of green food coloring for that classic look! Of course, you can leave this out (as it doesn't affect the flavor) but I just love how it looks just like the ice cream!
- Confectioners' Sugar - 4 cups of confectioners' sugar (or powdered sugar). Not only does this add sweetness, but it also helps to thicken up the frosting!
- Salt (optional) - A pinch of salt to emphasize the flavors and balance out the sweetness if needed.
- Mini Chocolate Chips - ⅔ cup of mini chocolate chips. Using the mini size makes this frosting easier to spread and pipe. Choose your favorite variety of chocolate chips!
Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!
🔪 How To Make Mint Chocolate Chip Buttercream Frosting
If you've ever made buttercream frosting before, this recipe is no different. Go ahead and grab your stand mixer (or hand mixer), your measuring utensils, and a rubber spatula.
With this recipe, you will have enough mint chocolate chip frosting to lightly coat 18 cupcakes or generously coat a dozen of them. You can also use it for a 9x13 cake or two 8 or 9-inch cake tiers.
Step 1: Whip the butter. Using the paddle attachment in your stand mixer (or in a bowl using a hand mixer), beat 1 cup of room-temperature butter for about 5 or 6 minutes, or until the color becomes light and pale and the texture is creamy.
Step 2: Add ingredients. Add ¼ teaspoon of peppermint extract as well as 1 cup of powdered sugar (confectioners' sugar). Turn the mixer to medium speed and beat until the ingredients are well-incorporated. Add 2-3 drops of green food coloring and alternate between drizzling 2 tablespoons of heavy cream and adding the rest of the confectioners' sugar (3 cups) while continuing to mix.
Step 3: Adjust. After you have added all of the powdered sugar, continue to beat the buttercream at medium speed for an additional 2-3 minutes. The mixture will become light in color, fluffy, and creamy. Taste and adjust with a pinch of salt as needed.
Step 4: Add chocolate chips. Fold in ⅔ cup of mini chocolate chips then spread the mint chocolate chip buttercream frosting onto your cupcakes, cakes, or desserts. You can also scoop the frosting with an ice cream scoop to look like a frozen dessert.
Add a scoop of this mint chocolate chip frosting to the top of some chocolate cupcakes. Of course, it will be delicious on any of your favorite desserts. Enjoy!
💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes
- You can also leave the chocolate chips out of the frosting for easy piping, and then just add the chocolate chips on top after you've finished.
- Room-temperature butter helps to ensure that it is whipped properly. You don't want to use melted butter or butter that is too cold.
- Use an ice cream scoop to make this buttercream look just like a frozen treat.
🥡 Storing
Once you have frosted your cake, the buttercream frosting can remain at room temperature for up to 3 days. It does not have to be stored in the fridge unless the cake has a filling that is perishable (such as whipped cream, fruit, or custard).
If you have any frosting left over, keep it in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 4 weeks. When ready to use, place it on the counter and let it come back up to room temperature.
>>>See All Of My Tasty Recipes Here!<<<
❓ Recipe FAQs
If your frosting is too thick, you'll want to drizzle in a little more heavy cream and mix it together again. This is a super easy fix. Make sure you only add a little at a time!
If you have frosting that is too thin, it could be because there isn't enough powdered sugar or because it has gotten too warm (making the butter too soft). Simply place the entire bowl into the fridge to cool it down again.
Yes! Buttercream frosting is actually very easy to freeze for later. Simply place the frosting into an airtight Ziploc bag or container and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When you are ready to use it, transfer the container to the fridge and let it thaw out overnight. Once thawed, place it on the counter and allow the frosting to return to room temperature. Finally, whip it again so that has a creamy texture.
You can easily leave your buttercream out of the fridge for a few days. Being at room temperature will not cause it to go bad. However, if your kitchen is warm then the buttercream could become too soft and melt off of your cake.
🧁 More Sweet Frosting Recipes
- Oreo Buttercream Frosting - This sweet frosting is loaded with the flavors of cookies and cream.
- Maraschino Cherry Buttercream Frosting - Sweet cherry buttercream tastes fantastic with some vanilla cupcakes.
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Buttercream Frosting - Combine edible cookie dough and buttercream for an irresistible treat.
- Peanut Butter Buttercream Frosting - Use this peanut butter frosting to top off some chocolate cake.
- Chocolate Buttercream Frosting - This chocolate frosting is a classic choice for any chocolate lovers.
- Vanilla Bean Buttercream Frosting - Vanilla bean buttercream pairs well with a wide variety of cakes and desserts.
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- Peanut Butter Filled Cupcakes
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📖 Recipe Card
Mint Chocolate Chip Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter (softened, at room temperature)
- 2 tablespoon heavy cream (or half & half, or milk)
- ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract
- 2-3 drops green food coloring
- 4 cups confectioners sugar
- 1 pinch salt (optional, to taste)
- ⅔ cup mini chocolate chips (milk chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, or dark chocolate chips)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- Using the paddle attachment in your stand mixer (or in a bowl using a hand mixer), beat the room-temperature butter for about 5 or 6 minutes, or until the color becomes light and pale and the texture is creamy.
- Add the peppermint extract as well as 1 cup of powdered sugar (confectioners' sugar). Turn the mixer to medium speed and beat until the ingredients are well-incorporated. Add in your green food coloring and alternate between drizzling heavy cream and adding the rest of the confectioners' sugar while continuing to mix.
- After you have added all of the powdered sugar, continue to beat the buttercream at medium speed for an additional 2-3 minutes. The mixture will become light in color, fluffy, and creamy. Taste and adjust with a pinch of salt as needed.
- Fold in the mini chocolate chips then spread the mint chocolate chip buttercream frosting onto your cupcakes, cakes, or desserts. You can also scoop the frosting with an ice cream scoop to look like a frozen dessert.
Notes
- You can also leave the chocolate chips out of the frosting for easy piping, and then just add the chocolate chips on top after you've finished!
- Room-temperature butter helps to ensure that it is whipped properly! You don't want to use melted butter or butter that is too cold.
- Use an ice cream scoop to make this buttercream look just like a frozen treat!
- Once you have frosted your cake, the buttercream frosting can remain at room temperature for up to 3 days. It does not have to be stored in the fridge unless the cake has a filling that is perishable (such as whipped cream, fruit, or custard).
- To store: If you have any frosting leftover, keep it in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 4 weeks. When ready to use, place it on the counter and let it come back up to room temperature.
Anonymous says
Vond de smaak ondanks zout nog iets te zoet. Heb er nog pakje monchou door gedaan. Is het wat romiger van smaak. Erg lekker bij chocolade notencake
😋
"Despite the salt, the taste was still a little too sweet. Did you put a pack of monchou through it. Is it a bit creamier in taste. Very tasty with chocolate nut cake"
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Voeg zout naar smaak toe, als je glazuur te zoet is kun je zeker nog een snufje zout toevoegen tot de smaak in balans is. Genieten!
"Add salt to taste, if your frosting is too sweet you can definitely add a pinch more salt until the flavor is balanced. Enjoy!"