A secret, natural ingredient turns delicious buttercream frosting deep black without dyes or food coloring- a perfect recipe for Halloween treats, cupcakes and cake decorating!

This black buttercream frosting recipe is one of my very favorites- in taste and beauty! It is as jet black as you see in the pictures and has a rich chocolate flavor. It is so easy to make and I really loved it on my Halloween Bat Cake. This black frosting is always a huge hit to make when we decorate our home for a cozy Halloween.

Black Food Coloring for Frosting or Icing

Halloween is one of my very favorite times of the year and I am so happy that it's here again! I love all of the spooky decorations, fun pumpkins, and yummy halloween treats. But, I don't love how the black frosting on cakes, cookies, and cupcakes can turn your teeth (and everything else) black and get EVERYWHERE.

But there is a delicious, natural solution that is less messy!!

This year I wanted to find an alternative so I did a little research. I am super picky about the taste of my frosting. My black frosting had to be a buttercream because it's flavor is so much better than the other sickly sweet frostings. I read about a secret ingredient that produces a rich, deep black color and uses zero food coloring or dyes. At first, I didn't believe it, but then I tried it, and it's true!

Dutch Processed Black Cocoa Powder

The secret ingredient for my black buttercream frosting is Dutch Processed Black Cocoa Powder (found here)! It is rich and delicious.

Dutch-process cocoa powder is made from cocoa beans which have been washed with a potassium solution to neutralize their acidity. Natural cocoa powder (like Hershey's) is made from cocoa beans that are simply roasted and blended into a fine powder.

Black Cocoa Powder for Best Black Frosting

When you add the black cocoa to your frosting, it starts out as a deep brown. When added to frosting and exposed to the air, it turns a deep, jet black. So far, I have used it on cupcakes and a cake and I am in love! Not only is it a beautiful, deep black color, but the flavor is incredible. It is so rich and delicious.

It definitely has a unique flavor- more of a dark chocolate flavor. If you prefer something lighter, you can always try half black cocoa and half regular cocoa. I really love it just the way it is though. It has a flavor I love!

I hope you enjoy making this yummy black buttercream frosting! You will love it! My littles have been loving their halloween treats. It hasn't dyed their hands or clothes at all! It also licks clean instead of staining their little hands- win, win.