Chocolate Frosting

This little cake was the result of one of those Sunday afternoons where cake seems like it will fix things. Now, I know cake won't finish my performance review (due at work this week), clean the crusted toothpaste off the taps in the bathroom, fold the laundry or teach my kids cursive. But the hour I spent making this cake (particularly the icing) made things feel a bit more manageable. Everything seems more manageable when the house smells like warm vanilla goodness and there are beaters waiting to be licked clean of chocolate frosting.

Chocolate Icing, from Lauren's Latest

The Best & Easiest Chocolate Frosting

yield: WILL FROST 1-9 INCH ROUND LAYER CAKE OR 24 CUPCAKES

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup softened butter
1/2 cup cocoa powder, sifted
5 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
3-4 tablespoons milk

DIRECTIONS:

Whip butter and cocoa together until smooth in large bowl. Stir in vanilla and powdered sugar. Slowly stream in milk until frosting reaches desired consistency. Scrape sides and whip again until light, fluffy and smooth, 1-2 minutes. Frosts 1-9 or 8 inch round layered cake or 24 cupcakes.