Chocolate Sour Cream Frosting

4.50 from 4 votes

A super smooth, rich and creamy chocolate frosted made with sour cream.

Prep Time10

Cook Time5

Total Time15

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: ounces

Author: Eden

Cost: $10

8 ounces unsalted butter organic is best
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate we used two bittersweet Ghirardelli baking chocolate bar
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
8 ounces sour cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Melt the butter and chocolate together in a small sauce pan until chocolate is melted.
Pour into an electric mixer with the whisk attachment on low speed.
Add in the vanilla and powdered sugar and whisk. It will get really thick, but keep whisking. Make sure to scrape the bottom of the bowl, so you don't have lumps of chocolate in your finished frosting.
Add in the sour cream and continue to whisk until smooth. It might curdle, but whisk through the curdle to get a smooth texture.
Use it to frost cakes or cupcakes!

Choose Quality Chocolate: Your frosting flavor heavily depends on the chocolate you use. Opt for bittersweet chocolate bars over chocolate chips, as chips often contain stabilizers that can affect the texture.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Bringing the sour cream to room temperature before mixing prevents the frosting from curdling and ensures a smooth texture.
Sift Powdered Sugar: Sifting the powdered sugar is essential for achieving a lump-free, velvety frosting.
Whisk Through Curdling: If the frosting looks curdled after adding the sour cream, don’t panic! Keep whisking, and the mixture will smooth out beautifully.
Adjust Sweetness: If you prefer a sweeter frosting, add an extra 1/4 cup of powdered sugar, but remember that the tanginess from the sour cream balances the sweetness perfectly.
Chill for Piping: If you plan to pipe the frosting, refrigerate it for 10-15 minutes to help it firm up slightly for better definition.
Storage: This frosting can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Let it come to room temperature and whip briefly before using.