Glossy Chocolate Icing

Makes about 4 cups
Total time: 10 minutes + cooling

Ingredients:
1 stick unsalted butter (8 Tbsp.)
1-1/2 cups sugar
1-1/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
pinch of salt
1-1/4 cups heavy cream
1/4 cup sour cream
1 tsp. instant coffee granules
2 tsp. vanilla

Preparation:
Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in sugar, cocoa, and salt. Mixture will be thick and grainy. Combine heavy cream, sour cream, and instant coffee in a large measuring cup, mixing until smooth. Gradually add cream mixture to chocolate until blended and smooth. Cook until sugar has dissolved, and mixture is hot to the touch. Do not boil.
Off heat, add vanilla. Cool icing at room temperature until spreadable (icing maybe be chilled until completely, cold then warmed gently in the microwave until spreadable. Heat at high power in 20-second intervals, stirring well after each interval. I've had better luck with this method).