Recipe: Nutty Clusters (cookies)

NUTTY CLUSTERS

4 squares (1 ounce each) unsweetened chocolate, divided use
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp. butter or margarine, softened
1 egg
1/3 cup buttermilk
1 tsp. vanilla
1 3/4 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 cup mixed salted nuts, coarsely chopped
3 cups powdered sugar
2 to 3 tbsp. water

TO MAKE THE COOKIES:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or leave ungreased.

Melt 2 squares chocolate in heavy small saucepan over very low heat. Remove from heat; let cool.

Beat sugar and 1/2 cup butter in large bowl with electric mixer until smooth. Beat in melted chocolate, egg, buttermilk, and vanilla until light. Stir in flour and baking soda just until blended. Stir in nuts. Drop teaspoonfuls of dough 2 inches apart onto prepared cookie sheets.

Bake 8-10 minutes or until almost no imprint remains when touched. Immediately transfer cookies to wire rack.

MEANWHILE, TO MAKE THE ICING:
Melt remaining 2 squares chocolate and 2 tbsp. butter in small heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring until completely melted. Add powdered sugar and water, mixing until smooth.

Frost cookies while still warm.

Makes about 48 cookies
Source: Easy Home Cooking Holiday Cookies Cookbook