Decadently Rich (NOT buttery and sugary) Chocolate Frosting
1/4-1/3 cup real maple syrup
1/4 cup water, as needed
1/2 cup cocoa powder (I use Dutch processed)
2 tablespoons peanut butter or coconut oil, melted
1. Place water, maple syrup and cocoa powder into a food processor or blender and process.
2. Add the peanut butter or coconut oil, and process again until smooth. Voilà!
I find that peanut butter is wonderful in this recipe, but the coconut adds a depth to the chocolate flavor. I find that if I am making a strictly chocolate cake/muffin/brownie recipe, the coconut flavor works best, but otherwise I say go with the peanut butter!
If you reduce the ratio of cocoa powder, you get a liquid consistency; this can be great on a single layer cake or brownies since the frosting will flow to the edges and make a shiny, smooth surface. Then, just stick it in the fridge and thanks to the peanut butter or coconut butter, it solidifies, so you have an excellent smooth surface with no sacrifice to the flavor (seriously awesome with brownies).
Source of recipe: This recipe was modified from this one at http://thedailyrawcafe.com.
SO HOW'D IT GO?
Heres a tip, never substitute molasses for maple syrup unless you want a really bitter frosting. Great recipe though!
Just made this, very good and firmed up nicely in the fridge :) I hate sickly sweet stuff so this was perfect
I really like this frosting, I love bittersweet chocolate; and the typical buttercream frosting always made me sick from it's sweetness. I do add a little extra sweetener, though.
I added a dash of vanilla and a tbsp powdered sugar (I do hate the butter-sugar-ew frosting, but this one wasn't sweet enough).
Amazing :) Frosted brownies with it, they are sooo yummy.
Very cool! A little less cocoa powder, a little more maple syrup, but the consistency was perfect. Thanks!