Place a large mixing bowl full of ice in the sink. Place chocolate chips, half-and-half, and butter in medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Stir mixture constantly until chips and butter melt and mixture thickens (5-6 minutes). Do not boil. Remove pan from heat. Whisk the confectioners' sugar into the mixture until it becomes smooth. Then place saucepan in bowl of ice. Do not let ice water spill into saucepan. Beat mixture with electric mixer 4-5 minutes or until thick and fudgelike in appearance. Spread on cake. If it hardens, place saucepan over low heat and stir until it reaches spreading consistency. |