5-Minute Chocolate Malt Buttercream

This 5-Minute Chocolate Malt Buttercream is ALL THE THINGS.

Chocolate-malt flavor combos are one of my most favorite things (see these Malty Cupcakes!). This particular recipe was created specifically for my Chocolate Guinness Cake which is a beautiful, light, simple chocolate cake…and together they make magic.

However, this buttercream is delicious on any chocolate cake, yellow cake, as well as cupcakes!

You’ll Want to Make This Chocolate Malt Buttercream Because…

• It’s hella delicious
• Uses just seven ingredients
• Takes five minutes to throw together
• It will effortlessly elevate any cake or cupcake recipe
• Perfect for single-layer cakes and cupcakes (not layer cakes)
• It’s soft, creamy, lush…think of every delicious adjective and this buttercream deserves it!

Malted Buttercream Q&A

Why doesn’t the cream need to be at room temperature?

The cool, heavy whipping cream will help the buttercream set a bit.

I can’t find malted milk powder, what can I use?

You can grab Ovaltine if you’re in the US and Milo outside of the US. Let me know if you use any other substitutes in the comments below!

Can I use this for a layered cake?

Nope! This frosting is way too soft, it would be a disaster. This is perfect for sheet cakes. It would work for both 8- and 9-inch (20- and 23-cm) round and square cake pans, as well as 8×11-inch (20×28-cm) and up to 9×13-inch (23×33-cm). It would also work well for cupcakes.

On smaller cakes you’ll have a thick layer of frosting and on larger sheet cakes there will be less frosting per bite, if you get my gist.

Malt Buttercream Substitutions

I tested this recipe with a number of substitutions. The recipe below is the ideal combination of ingredients in terms of flavor and texture. Some of the things I struggled with: I honestly didn’t want you to have to use cream, but I really love what it does with the texture (so it stayed in!).

I tried adding some vinegar to cut the sweetness, but frankly found it unnecessary. Is this sweet? Yes, it’s an American buttercream lol. But I didn’t think it warranted adding another ingredient to the recipe.

If you’re in a pinch, I recommend these substitutions:

1. If you don’t have cream cheese use unsalted butter for both the butter and the cream cheese (substitute 1:1)
2. If you don’t have Malted Milk Powder, you can use Ovaltine or Milo.
3. If you don’t have cream, you can use regular milk. However, start with adding just 1 tablespoon (15 g) of milk. Milk is much thinner than cream and has a dramatic effect, in small doses. As I’ve mentioned, this is a soft buttercream and you don’t want it *too* soft.

Step-by-Step Instructions for 
Chocolate Malted Buttercream

Below are step-by-step photos (with captions) to make your Chocolate Malted Buttercream perfect every time! My biggest tips are:

1. Have your butter and cream cheese at room temperature. The ingredients will incorporate better if they’re at room temperature. The butter and the cream cheese won’t combine well if they are chilled.
2. Weigh your ingredients. With so few ingredients, it’s crucial you get them perfect. If the qualities of the buttercream aren’t precise it could become too soft (it’s already a pretty loose buttercream).

Chocolate Malt Buttercream Tools

I love to use my electric stand mixer to make buttercream because it makes them seriously effortless.

You’ll also need an awesome spatula to periodically scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl to make sure everything is well combined.

Chocolate Malt Butter Cream Goes Great With These Cakes

This buttercream was specifically made to go with my Chocolate Guinness Cake which is a super easy and mega delicious chocolate cake.

It would be dreamy on Granny Pete’s Chocolate Cake in place of the marshmallow frosting. It would also be delicious smeared over these Mocha Cupcakes or these Malt Cupcakes.

Buttercream Inspiration

This frosting is inspired by so much! I am a malt fiend. I love Thrifty’s Chocolate Malted Krunch SO DAMN MUCH. Definitely my favorite ice cream on the planet.

I also love my friend Jessie Sheehan‘s Banana Cake with Malted Buttercream from her latest cookbook, Snackable Bakes. If you don’t have this book GO GET IT! It’s loaded with awesome, easy recipes.