Soft and Chewy Pudding Chip Cookies

Pudding Chip Cookies 🍪🍫

Description:
These Pudding Chip Cookies are an absolute delight! Soft and chewy, they are a perfect treat for any occasion. This wonderful recipe comes from Nanette Miller of Michigan, found in a charming little cookbook called “Capital Cookies” that my son brought home from a fundraiser. What’s truly magical about these cookies is the use of instant pudding mix, which keeps them irresistibly moist and tender. While the original recipe calls for vanilla pudding, I’ve tried it with chocolate pudding as well, and it was a huge hit!

Recipe Category:
Drop Cookies

Keywords:

• Dessert
• Cookie & Brownie
• < 30 Mins
• Oven

Nutritional Information (per cookie):

• Calories: 104.2
• Fat Content: 5.9g
• Saturated Fat Content: 1.9g
• Cholesterol Content: 8.5mg
• Sodium Content: 100.4mg
• Carbohydrate Content: 12.6g
• Fiber Content: 0.6g
• Sugar Content: 7.7g
• Protein Content: 1.2g

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups flour
• 1 cup margarine
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 eggs

Preparation Time:

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 8-10 minutes per batch
• Total Time: Approximately 28 minutes

Yield:

• About 50 cookies

Instructions:

1. Preheat Your Oven:
   Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures it’s at the perfect temperature when you’re ready to bake, helping your cookies to bake evenly and develop that delicious golden brown color.

2. Mix the Wet Ingredients:
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the margarine, both sugars (white and light brown), vanilla extract, and the instant vanilla pudding mix. Using an electric mixer, beat these ingredients together until the mixture is smooth and creamy. The pudding mix not only adds flavor but also gives the cookies their distinctive soft and chewy texture.

3. Incorporate the Eggs:
   Crack the eggs into the bowl one at a time, beating well after each addition. This helps to ensure that the eggs are fully integrated into the batter, providing structure and moisture to the dough.

4. Prepare the Dry Ingredients:
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and baking soda. This step is crucial for distributing the baking soda evenly throughout the flour, which helps the cookies to rise properly.

5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
   Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing slowly until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tougher cookies.

6. Add the Chocolate Chips:
   Gently fold in the chocolate chips (and nuts if you’re adding them). This ensures that they are evenly distributed throughout the dough, providing bursts of chocolatey goodness in every bite.

7. Shape the Cookies:
   Using a teaspoon or a small cookie scoop, drop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto ungreased cookie sheets. Space them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.

8. Bake the Cookies:
   Place the cookie sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers may still look slightly underdone, but they will continue to set as they cool.

9. Cool and Enjoy:
   Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the cookie sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely. This helps them to firm up and develop their final texture.

10. Serve:
    Once cooled, serve these delightful cookies with a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of tea. They are perfect for sharing with friends and family or enjoying as a special treat for yourself!

Notes:

• Variations: Feel free to experiment with different flavors of instant pudding mix. Chocolate, butterscotch, and even pistachio can offer unique twists to the classic recipe.
• Add-ins: For extra texture and flavor, consider adding chopped nuts (such as walnuts or pecans) or a mix of different types of chocolate chips (milk, dark, or white).
• Storage: These cookies store well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. They can also be frozen for longer storage; just thaw at room temperature before serving.

These Pudding Chip Cookies are sure to become a favorite in your household, just as they have in mine. The unique addition of pudding mix makes them stand out from traditional chocolate chip cookies, providing an extra level of softness and flavor that is simply irresistible. Whether you’re baking them for a fundraiser, a holiday, or just because, these cookies are guaranteed to bring smiles to the faces of all who taste them. Enjoy! 🍪😊