I had my first taste of basil and chocolate almost two decades ago, out with friends at Lucia’s restaurant in Minneapolis. Our server recommended the chocolate cake paired with the basil ice cream, and the combination sounded so intriguing we decided to trust him.
The bright blue of my shirt, the buzz of voices at tables surrounding us, the candles speckling the dimly lit room, and chocolate and basil devoured alternately bite by bite is forever etched on my mind.
Over the years I’ve re-created those flavors in many applications, but this chocolate cake and basil buttercream pairing is by far my favorite.
Chocolate Cake with Basil Buttercream
This recipe is from a blog post way back in 2012; I’ve updated the photos and made the directions a little more user friendly. You can find Chocolate Ganache Cupcakes with Basil Buttercream in my Vanilla Bean Baking Book, and Chocolate Basil Brownies in my 100 Cookies cookbook.
The first day this frosting is made the basil flavor is present but delicate, and it develops the longer it sits. I loved it on days two and three, but my family thought it was too strong. Also, if basil isn’t your thing, this buttercream also works well with fresh mint.
I used my favorite chocolate cake recipe, and baked it in two 8 x 2 in cake round cake pan.
More Cake Recipes:
Chocolate Cake with Basil Buttercream
Ingredients
- 1 recipe chocolate cake, baked in (2) 8×2 inch round cake pans
- 1 cup [240 g] whole milk
- 1 cup [240 g] half and half
- 1 cup [20 g] fresh basil leaves
- 1 1/2 cup [300 g] granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup [71 g] all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups [4 sticks or 454 g] unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Green food coloring optional
Equipment
- (2) 8×2 inch round cake pans
Instructions
- Make cake as directed, using (2) 8×2 inch round cake pans.
- Combine the milk, half and half, and basil in a heavy bottomed saucepan. Heat gently over medium heat until just simmering, then remove from the heat. Let cool and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to overnight (the longer it sits, the stronger the flavor will be). Remove the basil leaves from cream, and then squeeze the leaves over the cream. Discard the leaves.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the sugar, flour, and salt really well (the sugar will help keep the flour from lumping when it boils, so spend a good minute really whisking it together). Place the mixture in a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan. Slowly pour the basil cream into the flour, whisking to combine as you pour. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a whisk, until the mixture comes to a gentle boil (periodically run a spatula round the edges of the saucepan to remove any flour lurking there). Reduce the heat slightly, and continue to whisk and occasionally stir until the mixture has thickened considerably, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and continue stirring for 30 seconds.
- Transfer the mixture to a bowl and cover with plastic wrap, making sure the plastic sits directly on the surface (this will help keep it from forming a skin). Let cool to room temperature.
- When the mixture has cooled, place the butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle, and beat on medium speed until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed. Start adding the flour mixture a few spoonfuls at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition, until it is all incorporated. Scrape down the sides and mix on medium speed until the buttercream is light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the vanilla and food coloring, if using, and mix on low speed until combined. Use immediately.
77 Comments
Natasha
Thursday, May 12, 2022 at 8:41 pmDo you think the consistency of this buttercream would work well for piping?
Sarah Kieffer
Friday, May 13, 2022 at 9:24 amYes, it works for piping but is loose rather than stiff.
Kayla A Bevaart
Tuesday, July 20, 2021 at 1:48 pmMight need to make this cake! Have a recipe for a basil mint chip ice cream that I love. Wonder if the frosting would be good infused with both basil and mint?
Anna
Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 11:53 pmMade this to fill chocolate macarons this past weekend and it was a smashing success. Froze a pint for future projects and can’t wait to use it. Thanks!
Giftbasketworldwide
Friday, February 12, 2021 at 11:52 pmKeep growing!! You are doing great Job.
Emily
Saturday, September 12, 2020 at 11:46 amI really love cakes and am always looking for new recipes. And then I found your recipe. I didn’t expect chocolate and basal to pair so well. It’s just amazing! This is my favorite cake now. Thanks for the recipe!
KGL Staff
Saturday, August 15, 2020 at 1:39 amBasil Buttercream Chocolate Cake your recipes continue to amaze me and have become favorites thank you for sharing for this recipe.
Yang
Monday, February 25, 2019 at 4:56 pmBasil buttercream on chocolate cake? That sounds pretty unique, in a good way, as I’ve never really had one before, and it sounds pretty interesting. I may try to bake this cake for my birthday. I still have enough time to play with the recipe. Thank you so much for sharing this!
Ana
Tuesday, August 8, 2017 at 2:20 amGreat
Katy
Saturday, May 27, 2017 at 12:11 amHello, I am making this cake for my birthday and may have to make a few days ahead. Might it work if I freeze layers, make the frosting closer to the day, and assemble it the day of while letting the frozen layers thaw out beneath the frosting? Or would it be best to make the layers as close to the date and store in the refrigerator? How long will it last refrigerated also? Thank you!
Julia
Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at 11:20 amI finally made this cake and the flavors are interesting. I cut the two layers in half and made 3 layers with the basil buttercream and homemade blackberry jam in the middle. I think the blackberry jam is key to bringing the chocolate and basil flavors together, otherwise basil might be too surprising to some people. The basil sat in the milk for two nights and I used a blender to get the green color and sieved out the particulates. Also my cake was done well under time (about 30 mins), which is odd but good!
Anahita Mehta
Sunday, January 15, 2017 at 1:36 pmHi Sarah, regarding the cupcake version of this from your book, any tips on what I should do if both the muffin pans can’t fit on the middle shelf of my oven? Should I bake them one after the other? or different shelves? Thanks!
Vickie
Friday, January 6, 2017 at 9:55 pmThe link to your favorite chocolate cake link is broke.
I’m getting an error message page can’t be found.
Where can I find it please and thank you. I’ve searched all around your blog looking.
Sarah
Friday, January 6, 2017 at 10:11 pmSorry about that! The cake recipe is here: https://www.thevanillabeanblog.com/the-chocolate-cake/
Ace
Friday, May 23, 2014 at 7:45 amOh dear I’ve made this frosting twice with beautiful results but now I’ve made it 4 more times (in a single day) and my final frosting keeps separating. I’m using chilled butter and the mixture is completely cool before I start whipping (even the bowl is cool to the touch). Do you have any suggestions? I refrigerate the final frosting but it comes out looking lumpy and separated still. I’m so disappointed! I adore this frosting!
Sarah
Friday, May 23, 2014 at 12:39 pmI’m so sorry you’re having trouble! I’m glad to hear you have had some success with it. I’m wondering if the chilled butter is too cold? The butter needs to be soft (about 70 degrees) but not warm, which is what I meant by cool (but I’ll add the temperature in the directions). ‘If it’s too cold it won’t mix freely with the other ingredients, but if it’s beginning to melt it can’t form a good emulsion. At its ideal temperature of about 70 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s soft enough to mix well but firm enough to give structure to the buttercream (from everydaylife.globalpost.com) I did find this article from The Kitchn about saving a broken buttercream: http://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-rescue-how-to-save-a-br-69323 which might help. Did you start with chilled butter the first two times you made it?
Ace
Friday, May 23, 2014 at 10:13 pmOh that is so helpful thank you!! I can’t remember how chilled my butter was before but if I know me I’d say it was probably pretty soft. I’ll try that next time. I was able to whip it up with about 2 cups of powdered sugar but I can tell if it gets too hot it’s going to all separate again on me. Hopefully the weather holds tomorrow. Thanks again! I’ll try to make it this week with softer butter and see if that works.
Sophie
Sunday, April 13, 2014 at 11:48 pmWow, beautiful cake ! Can’t wait to try the idea of basil with chocolate. Sounds yum !
Aimee
Thursday, February 20, 2014 at 5:53 pmI’m not sure what I did but my Buttercream Frosting has turned out runny and even though I keep trying to cool it and then whip it, it doesn’t seem to thicken. It tastes great but isn’t the right consistency. What could I have done incorrectly or is there a way to fix it? Thanks!!
Sarah
Friday, February 21, 2014 at 3:32 pmHi Aimee! I saw on instagram you had frosted the cake – did the frosting turn out ok? I’m not quite sure what the problem was, but if it happens to you again, you can try refrigerating the frosting until it’s chilled, then adding more powdered sugar – a little bit at a time, until it thickens up.
cgbookcat1
Wednesday, May 25, 2016 at 9:36 pmHi Sarah, the frosting recipe as written says granulated rather than powdered sugar. I’m making this tomorrow and just assumed you meant powdered sugar. Granulated could make the frosting too runny. Maybe that was Aimee’s issue?
Sarah
Wednesday, May 25, 2016 at 10:45 pmHello- granulated sugar is correct! I’ve made this many times and never had a problem with it. (I suggested to Aimee to add powdered sugar to it after it was cooked and cooled to try and help save the buttercream since it was runny). If the cooled flour/sugar/basil mixture and butter are both room temp (about 70F) the buttercream should work just fine. Let me know how it turns out for you!
cgbookcat1
Friday, May 27, 2016 at 8:06 amGot it, thank you! I did add a little bit of extra powdered sugar, but didn’t need much.
Aimee Mars
Friday, June 17, 2016 at 12:28 pmWell, it’s several years later and here I am making this cake again. Although this time I’m going for a chocolate buttercream frosting instead of the Basil Buttercream (which I ended up eventually mastering and love). It’s funny – after I had problems with the buttercream frosting I took it upon myself to learn many frosting recipes and now come up with my own flavor creations!
I didn’t notice your response back then, but yes the cake did turn out and yes I did snap it for Instagram!! Therefore I’m making it again for probably the 10 time since my original comment.
Sarah
Saturday, June 25, 2016 at 4:41 pmI’m so glad you liked it, mastered it, and are now making your own. Buttercream can feel so intimidating at first, but once you figure it out, it’s so fun to come up with frosting combinations. 🙂
Aimee
Friday, November 4, 2016 at 8:44 amWell, thanks for the inspiration!! It all started right here and in fact I’m writing about my own favorite buttercream recipe on my site and linking to this post.
emma
Sunday, January 26, 2014 at 1:08 pmmy sister and i made this for our mom’s birthday. we had planned to wait a day for her actual birthday to eat it, but it just smelled so amazing that we had to have it as soon as possible!!! the frosting is so yummy and the basil flavor comes out a few seconds after you take a bite. thank you for the recipe!!
Sarah
Sunday, January 26, 2014 at 10:03 pmHi Emma! I’m so glad you liked it. It’s one of my favorite cakes! 🙂
Amanda
Monday, June 3, 2013 at 11:18 amFYI – technically this is a butter roux frosting because it includes cooked flour. It is divine! Thanks for sharing!
Sarah
Wednesday, June 5, 2013 at 8:26 amThanks Amanda! And, I’m so glad you like it! 😉
Jane
Friday, May 17, 2013 at 5:59 pmJust made this recipe – delicious! I should have listened about doubling the frosting, though 6 sticks of butter seems rather excessive for one cake. I did make 4 layers and also added a layer of fresh sliced strawberries to each filling. I think it’s a new favorite!
Kelsie
Saturday, April 13, 2013 at 8:19 amI tried making the cake last night and both pans sunk in the middle. What did I do wrong? The basil buttercream turned out brilliant though!
Sarah
Saturday, April 13, 2013 at 9:11 amKelsie – I’m not quite sure! I’ve only had them sink just a teeny bit when I didn’t bake them quite long enough. But otherwise they’ve always risen fine. I’m so sorry! But I’m glad the buttercream turned out well. Can you cover them up with lots of frosting? 🙂
Kelsie
Sunday, April 14, 2013 at 12:22 amHaha well I was going to try but the shape was just not working. I am going to attempt again though! Thanks for the great recipe!
vanilla bean blog
Friday, May 25, 2012 at 5:35 pmGoodness, it’s not clear. I am so sorry. I took them out after letting them sit over night in the fridge. I will make this more obvious!! So so sorry. – sarah
Anonymous
Friday, May 25, 2012 at 4:59 pmI’m making this RIGHT NOW, re-read many times, and wish there were some note as to when to strain the basil leaves out. The final buttercream looks so perfect in the photo, the leaves couldn’t have been left in while whipping…? Ahh! Help.
vanilla bean blog
Friday, May 25, 2012 at 5:44 pmI fixed it in the instructions, and 1,000 heartfelt apologies!! I hope it still turns out wonderful for you.
OCFoodBlogger
Wednesday, May 9, 2012 at 2:46 amI love the basil leaves as the garnish. Simple yet pretty.
vanilla bean blog
Saturday, May 12, 2012 at 1:57 amThank you!
Em (Wine and Butter)
Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at 5:40 pmI know so many people for whom that is the perfect chocolate cake… but I could never fully make it work. My personal fave is actually Nigella Lawsons BUT I do adore chocolate and basil. I’d love to make your basil buttercream to go atop that cake… yum!!!
vanilla bean blog
Saturday, May 12, 2012 at 1:57 amI’m sorry you can’t make this cake work! I have a cake like that, too – one by America’s Test Kitchen. Every time I make it, it is a disaster. And everyone raves about it. Alas.
Elaina @ Flavour
Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at 1:39 amOh my goodness, I love everything about basil and adore that you used it in this cake! I’m going to be planting cinnamon basil and can’t wait to bake with it!! Thanks for the inspiration. x
vanilla bean blog
Saturday, May 12, 2012 at 1:56 amLet me know what you come up with! I adore basil, too. 🙂
Heather Mulholland
Monday, May 7, 2012 at 8:17 pmWhat a fascinating combination, I wish I was a better baker to make this.
thelittleloaf
Monday, May 7, 2012 at 7:23 pmWhat an absolutely fascinating combination. I’ve never had basil and chocolate together but can imagine the sweetness of basil works wonderfully. And that cake with all its layers looks so moist and delicious. Fab post! 🙂
vanilla bean blog
Saturday, May 12, 2012 at 1:57 amThank you! You’ll have to try it. 🙂
Megan Pence
Monday, May 7, 2012 at 3:51 pmOh dear goodness – there are no words to say how badly I want to try this combination.
Kelsey
Monday, May 7, 2012 at 3:20 amThe photos alone, friend, seriously! Then basil buttercream? Top notch. I love basil and chocolate together, actually, one of our favorite restaurants locally has a vegan/raw brownie with julienned basil on top. Unreal. High fives, Sarah! Thinking of you tonight.
vanilla bean blog
Saturday, May 12, 2012 at 1:55 amThank you Kelsey. {and those brownies sound amazing!}
Jesica @ Pencil Kitchen
Sunday, May 6, 2012 at 12:34 pmUnbelievable! Basil buttercream?!
Kasey
Sunday, May 6, 2012 at 2:59 pmSarah, I have been experimenting with pairing fruits and herbs a lot lately, and even chocolate and spices…but chocolate and basil? I would have never thought of such a combination. It sounds magical…This just might have to be my birthday cake this year!
xoxo
vanilla bean blog
Saturday, May 12, 2012 at 1:54 amIf you make it, let me know! I find that it is pretty magical. 🙂
Renee
Sunday, May 6, 2012 at 1:53 amTotally smitten. Thanks for sharing!
vanillasugarblog
Saturday, May 5, 2012 at 11:56 pmthat is just gorgeous my dear. i would love to try this, basil must taste so good in a frosting; i would want to make it a touch more green though.
do you grow your own herbs? i need to get on that
(looks like I’ve missed a lot of your posts, sorry about that!!)
vanilla bean blog
Saturday, May 12, 2012 at 1:47 amI do grow my own herbs – it’s about the only thing I can keep alive, along with rhubarb. :/ I’m a terrible gardener. {And no worries about missing posts! I’m behind on all my blog love, too. 🙂 }
dessert girl
Saturday, May 5, 2012 at 11:19 pmBrilliant! Bookmarking now!
Marjolein
Saturday, May 5, 2012 at 4:19 pmI was totally enthusiastic about this recipe, so I tried it today. I made a small change and I managed to get the pale green color in the frosting.
I used fresh basil leaves and after simmering and cooling down I put the mixture in the foodprocessor. It did not get really puree, so I put it into a sif to filter the chopped basil leaves out.
The result: a green mixture. Even after whipping the butter in, it stayed nice pale green.
Thanks for posting this recipe!
best greetings from Holland.
vanilla bean blog
Sunday, May 6, 2012 at 2:59 amOh, this is perfect! Thank you so much, I’m going to add this to my frosting notes on the post. Did you enjoy the frosting? {i hope so!}
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles
Saturday, May 5, 2012 at 1:45 pmThis sounds so interesting! I’m intrigued… Happy MN weekend to you!
kankana
Friday, May 4, 2012 at 7:46 pmChocolate and mint .. yes. Chocolate and basil .. for the first time! You got me very curious about the flavor.
Holly
Friday, May 4, 2012 at 2:55 pmI am so intrigued by the basil buttercream! I must try this, as I am already conjuring up ways to infuse other herbs as well.
la domestique
Friday, May 4, 2012 at 2:21 pmI love it when an idea marinates for a long time (10 years!) and then finally comes to fruition. I think the basil leaves are so pretty atop the cake. I can’t wait to try this flavor combo.
rmdc
Friday, May 4, 2012 at 2:10 pmYou never (ever) cease to amaze me, Sarah. This sounds magical!
marissa at the boot
Friday, May 4, 2012 at 1:14 pmthis is so inventive and beautiful! i am truly intrigued. 🙂
Jeanine
Friday, May 4, 2012 at 12:58 pmI love basil in anything – I’m so intrigued by your frosting… I’ll have to give it a try!
Anna
Friday, May 4, 2012 at 12:48 pmWow. This sounds amazing!
Laura
Friday, May 4, 2012 at 12:40 pmThis is so dreamy. The cake, your words and gorgeous photographs. Mega love. Open a bake shop next to my house and teach me all of your secrets please? Ok thanks 🙂
london bakes
Friday, May 4, 2012 at 8:44 amBasil and chocolate are such a wonderful combination and this buttercream sounds like such a wonderful complement to the richness of that cake.
Amrita
Friday, May 4, 2012 at 6:42 amI’m gasping at basil buttercream. You know, I’m weak-willed. Every time I make a birthday cake I get all excited because it gives me a chance to explore butter-creams and flavour combinations with a twist. And then I wimp out and go back to my usual chocolate-on-chocolate.
The cake looks gorgeous, but you already know that.
Spencer
Friday, May 4, 2012 at 4:35 amLooks absolutely delicious! I would love to try some.
Ashlae
Friday, May 4, 2012 at 2:43 amYes, yes, yes to basil + chocolate. If I wouldn’t break out in hives, I’d reach through the screen for a bite of that cake.
Gorgeous cake, by the way.
BigFatBaker
Friday, May 4, 2012 at 2:41 amThis sounds amazing!! I never thought of basil buttercream but its nothing short of brilliant. I love Ina’s chocolate cake too… Must try this ASAP!
Laura (Blogging Over Thyme)
Friday, May 4, 2012 at 2:30 amI’m in culinary school and just a few weeks ago, we paired a deliciously moist chocolate cake with basil ice cream. TO DIE FOR! Love the idea of turning this delicious pairing into a cake 🙂
Sacha
Friday, May 4, 2012 at 2:24 amI’ve never played with the two flavors in my own kitchen, but there is a lovely restaurant in Boston that serves this dark, rich chocolate terrine with basil ice cream and a sprinkle of maldon. Your cake is so beautiful and perfectly frosted! I use that frosting recipe quite often, and it’s great for infusing flavors.
Amy
Friday, May 4, 2012 at 2:12 amLove this! I would have never thought to pair basil buttercream with chocolate cake, but it sounds amazing! Beautiful cake as well!
RecipeGirl
Friday, May 4, 2012 at 2:08 ambeautiful! And Basil Buttercream?? Pretty much a brilliant idea!
vanilla bean blog
Friday, May 11, 2012 at 8:05 pmthank you so much! I’m so happy it worked. 😉