Decorated Chocolate Cut-Out Cookies

4 bars (8-oz. box) NESTL� TOLL HOUSE Semi-Sweet Chocolate Baking Bars, broken into pieces
2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons butter, softened
3 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup light or dark corn syrup
1/4 cup water
1 container (16 oz.) prepared vanilla frosting, colored as desired (or colored icing in tubes)

PREHEAT oven to 350� F.

MICROWAVE baking bars in a medium, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on HIGH (100%) power for 1 minute; STIR. The bars may retain some of their shape. If necessary, microwave at additional 10 to 15-second intervals, stirring just until melted. Cool to room temperature.

COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Beat butter and sugar in a small mixing bowl until creamy; beat in corn syrup and melted chocolate. Alternately beat in flour mixture and water. Shape dough into 2 round discs; wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for about 1 hour or until firm.

ROLL each disc to 1/4-inch thickness between two sheets of waxed paper. Cut with cookie cutters; place on ungreased baking sheets. Refrigerate if dough becomes too soft.

BAKE for 6 to 8 minutes or until set. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Decorate as desired.