Chocolate Buttercream Icing

This is the "Kathleen's Chocolate Icing" from the "New Basics Cookbook". It is a fabulous (old-fashioned) buttercream frosting that isn't too sweet and can almost double for mousse! Also, I really like this icing for a chocolate mayonnaise cake!

• Ready In: 1 hr 20 mins
• Yields: 2 1/2 cups

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 cups  semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1⁄2 cup butter, room temperature
• 2⁄3 cup milk
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 1⁄2-2⁄3 cup confectioners' sugar

Directions

1. Combine the chocolate and butter in a small heavy saucepan and melt over very low heat.
2. Remove the pan from the heat, stir in the milk and vanilla, and transfer the mixture to a mixing bowl.
3. Add the sugar gradually, beating with an electric mixer. Continue beating until the mixture is smooth--it will be runny.
4. Refrigerate the mixture for 1 hour, beating every 15 minutes. (The icing will stiffen.).