Introduction
There’s something timeless and universally comforting about a warm, homemade chocolate chip cookie. This recipe takes the classic treat to the next level by incorporating a secret ingredient: instant vanilla pudding mix. The result is a cookie that’s soft, chewy, and packed with flavor. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, these cookies are easy to make and guaranteed to impress. Perfect for sharing with friends and family or indulging on your own, these vanilla pudding chocolate chip cookies are sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection. Let’s dive into the step-by-step process of creating these delicious treats.
Ingredients
Before we start baking, let’s gather all the necessary ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 cup salted butter softened
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated white sugar
- 1 box (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 bag (11 ounces) milk chocolate chips (I like to use the milk chocolate Guittard baking chips)
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
First things first, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. This step ensures that your oven is at the right temperature when you’re ready to bake the cookies, which is crucial for achieving the perfect texture.
Step 2: Prepare the Dough
In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the softened butter, light brown sugar, granulated white sugar, instant vanilla pudding mix, eggs, and vanilla extract. Beat these ingredients on medium speed until the mixture is creamy and well combined. The addition of instant vanilla pudding mix is what sets this recipe apart. It adds an extra layer of flavor and helps keep the cookies soft and moist.
Step 3: Incorporate the Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the all-purpose flour and baking soda to the wet mixture. It’s important to do this gradually to ensure the flour is evenly incorporated. Beat on low speed until just combined. Over-mixing can result in a tougher cookie, so be sure to stop mixing as soon as the flour is fully integrated into the dough.
Step 4: Add the Chocolate Chips
Once your dough is mixed, it’s time to add the star of the show: the milk chocolate chips. Stir them into the dough until they are evenly distributed. Using high-quality chocolate chips, like the milk chocolate Guittard baking chips, can make a big difference in the taste and texture of your cookies.
Step 5: Drop the Dough onto Cookie Sheets
Using a tablespoon, drop the cookie dough onto un-greased cookie sheets. Space the dough balls about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading as they bake. Each tablespoon of dough should result in a cookie that’s perfectly portioned.
Step 6: Bake the Cookies
Place the cookie sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 9 to 10 minutes. It’s crucial not to overbake the cookies. They may not look fully baked when you first take them out of the oven, but they will continue to cook on the hot cookie sheet. Overbaking can result in a dry cookie, so trust the process and remove them from the oven when the edges are just starting to turn golden.
Step 7: Cool the Cookies
After removing the cookies from the oven, let them rest and cool on the cookie sheets. There’s no need to transfer them to wire racks. Allowing them to cool on the sheets helps them set and keeps them soft and chewy.
Serving Suggestions
Once your cookies have cooled, it’s time to enjoy them! These vanilla pudding chocolate chip cookies are perfect served with a cold glass of milk. The combination of the warm, gooey chocolate and the refreshing milk is a classic pairing that’s hard to beat. These cookies also make a great addition to any dessert platter or can be packaged up and given as gifts.
Tips for Perfect Cookies
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature before you start baking. This helps the ingredients combine more easily and evenly.
- Measure Ingredients Accurately: Baking is a science, and precise measurements are crucial. Use a kitchen scale if possible, especially for the flour, to avoid adding too much or too little.
- Do Not Overmix: Once you add the flour to the wet ingredients, mix until just combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
- Use Quality Chocolate: High-quality chocolate chips make a significant difference in the taste of your cookies. Guittard baking chips are a great choice for their rich flavor and smooth texture.
- Watch the Baking Time: Cookies can go from perfectly baked to overbaked very quickly. Keep a close eye on them and remove them from the oven when the edges are just turning golden.
Variations
This recipe is incredibly versatile and can be adapted to suit your tastes. Here are a few ideas to try:
- Add Nuts: For a bit of crunch, add a cup of chopped walnuts or pecans to the dough along with the chocolate chips.
- Use Different Pudding Flavors: Experiment with different instant pudding mix flavors. Butterscotch or chocolate pudding mix can add a unique twist to your cookies.
- Add a Sprinkle of Sea Salt: Sprinkle a small amount of flaky sea salt on top of the cookies before baking for a sweet and salty flavor combination.
Storing Your Cookies
To keep your cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay soft and chewy for up to a week. If you want to keep them for longer, you can freeze the dough. Simply drop the dough by tablespoons onto a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer the frozen dough balls to a zip-top bag and store them in the freezer for up to three months. When you’re ready to bake, you can bake them directly from the freezer, just add a couple of minutes to the baking time.
Conclusion
These vanilla pudding chocolate chip cookies are the perfect treat for any occasion. The secret ingredient of instant vanilla pudding mix adds an extra layer of flavor and keeps the cookies soft and chewy. With their rich, buttery dough and generous amount of chocolate chips, these cookies are sure to become a favorite in your household. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just because, these cookies are easy to make and guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth. So grab your ingredients and get ready to bake up a batch of these delicious devils!