This is an oh-so-simple chocolate glaze that goes perfectly over well-flavored cakes, cookies, pastries, or pretty much anything that could use a nice chocolate topping. It goes especially well on Double-Chocolate Rum Cake. (I was going to node this in the same writeup with that cake, but this surely is versatile enough to find plenty of other uses also.)

It is so simple that it gives you no excuse to ever purchase a simple chocolate frosting at the grocery store ever again, though, to be honest, it's not exactly the same thing as a frosting.

Regardless, very, very yummy.

Shiny Chocolate Glaze

2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup heavy cream (whipping cream)
1 cup confectioners sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat.

When melted, add the cocoa and cream, and stir until well mixed, and it begins to thicken, which should be about 2 to 3 minutes. Do not boil!

Remove from heat, add in the vanilla and sugar, and mix well, until it is all nice and smooth.

Use while still warm, as it hardens when it cools.

Yield: 1 1/2 cups.
Preparation Time: 10 minutes