Guys. I seriously love dessert. My sweet tooth is out of control. I consider myself an overall healthy person, but I have a VERY hard time saying no to the dessert menu if it’s offered. Somewhere along the way growing up, I developed a love for baking. Probably because it allows me sweet treats whenever I want, without even venturing out the front door.
This specific recipe came about in college when a friend made these ridiculously good, soft, gooey chocolate chip cookies. I needed the recipe, immediately. To my surprise, there was a secret ingredient…instant vanilla pudding! I know, I know, in the year 2017 this is old news. But ten years ago, my mind was blown. I’ve made these numerous times since then, tweaking the recipe here and there, but they never fail. Seriously, I think the pudding serves as some sort of a magical buffer so you can’t screw them up.
So it’s time to share this with you!
Ok, ready for the recipe?
Vanilla Pudding Chocolate Chip Cookies
Yields 24 cookies (depending on how much dough you eat)
Oven: 350 degrees
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of unsalted butter, softened (2 sticks)
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 package of instant vanilla pudding mix (3.4oz)
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 bag (minus a handful to snack on while baking) milk chocolate chip cookies
Directions
- In a large bowl, cream together butter, and both sugars (I use my Kitchen Aid for everything, but a hand mixer works too)
- Slowly mix in the vanilla pudding package
- Add eggs one at a time and beat
- In a medium bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt and slowly add to the wet ingredients
- Add those chocolate chips you haven’t eaten and stir
- Spoon onto cookie sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes. Remove, let cool for a couple of minutes and then transfer to a cooling rack.
Note: These cookies don’t look as “done” as some classic chocolate chip cookies so keep an eye out for a little browning around the edges and then take ’em out. I’d rather have cookie dough than a burnt cookie anyways!
Hope you enjoy!
