Chocolate-Peppermint Icing

"Use this icing with the Chocolate-Peppermint Cake. Peppermint extract is highly concentrated, so a very small amount is all that is needed."

Ingredients :

• 4 ounces chopped semisweet chocolate
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract

Directions :

1. Place chocolate in a medium bowl. In a small saucepan, bring heavy cream to a boil over high heat; stir in peppermint extract. Strain cream into chocolate. Let stand 5 minutes; stir until smooth (mixture will appear oily at first.) Cool until mixture falls in ribbons when spoon is lifted, 2 to 6 minutes.
2. To ice cake, set the cake on a serving platter. Tuck parchment or waxed paper under sides of cake (to keep platter clean). Pour icing onto center of cake. Use an offset spatula or a dinner knife to spread evenly over the top and down the sides. Let set, about 30 minutes.