My youngest sister loves chocolate. Since my sister was coming over to take the kids to visit Santa, I decided to make some cookies with chocolate of course. My sister said she liked them a lot but I think her youngest daughter takes after her. I saw her take a couple cookies plus one for the road. I didn't think it was possible but I think my niece enjoyed the cookies more than my sister.

These cookies are rich and delicious. The original recipe calls for coconut but my sister doesn't like coconut so I've omitted it. I still thought they were great. They are gooey with a crunch from the nuts. When you just need chocolate, make these cookies.

Chocolate-Macadamia Nut Clusters
8 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
3 Tbsp all purpose flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 cups salted macadamia nuts, roasted
1 cup semisweet mini chocolate chips

Directions: 

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a double boiler*, melt 8 oz. semisweet chocolate with the butter. 
3. Stir the chocolate and butter until smooth and then remove from the heat. Allow to cool for 5 minutes. 
4. In a large bowl, cream the sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
5. Add the melted chocolate mixture to the sugar mixture. Beat until well blended.
6. Stir in the flour and baking powder, mix until just moistened.
7. Fold in the macadamia nuts and the mini chocolate chips. 
8. On a parchment lined cookie sheet, drop about 1 Tbsp portions of dough onto a parchment lined cookie sheet spaced about 2 inches apart.
9. Bake the cookies for about 8-10 minutes or until the edges are firm but still soft when pressed in the middle.
10. Allow the cookies to cool for 5 minutes before transferring the cookies on a wire rack to cool completely.

Recipe adapted from My recipes.com.
*I use a thick, heat proof glass bowl over a small pan filled with 1/2 cup of water. 

One year ago...............................I made Chocolate Fudge.

My niece waiting for her cookie.

Check out my brother in law enjoying the cookie too!
Did you already know............
-Around 280 A.D., Saint Nicholas is thought to have been born.
-Saint Nicholas was born in the region of Turkey.
-Saint Nicholas is suppose to have traveled around the country side helping the sick and poor.