CHOCOLATE-PECAN DROPS

Chocolate-Pecan Drops image

Yield 3 dozen

Number Of Ingredients 18

1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
1 (8-ounce) package premelted unsweetened baking chocolate, divided
2/3 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped pecans
Garnish: red decorating sugar
Frosting:
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons hot water
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon anise extract
red food coloring
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
green food coloring

Steps:

With an electric mixer on medium speed, blend together butter and sugar. Add 4 pouches chocolate, reserving remaining pouches for another recipe, milk and vanilla; blend well. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Add to chocolate mixture; stir in nuts. Cover dough and chill 2 to 3 hours. Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls onto an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 7 minutes. Let cool on baking sheet 2 minutes; transfer to wire racks. Spread cookies with desired frosting and sprinkle with red sugar. For Frosting: Combine powdered sugar, hot water and almond extract in a medium bowl. Divide frosting between 2 bowls. To one bowl add anise extract and desired amount of red food coloring; stir well to blend. To the second bowl, stir in peppermint extract and desired amount of green food coloring; stir to blend thoroughly.

Nutrition Facts : Nutritional Facts Serves