Monday, July 14, 2014

Chocolate Chip-Pudding Cookies - Moist and Delicious!


Crispy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside.  To me, that is the perfect chocolate chip cookie!

The idea of using pudding mix in chocolate chip cookie dough has been around for some time and I even have a recipe saved that was a state fair winner in 1992 but I never got around to trying the method until recently when I saw a more current adaptation. I seldom use boxed mixes anymore and try to make most everything from scratch but I have to say I was very pleasantly surprised with the results! Normally, an all-butter chocolate chip cookie can sometimes turn out flat and and become hard quickly.  These did not.

I wanted to bring a treat for my grandsons on the 4th of July, so I mixed up a large batch and brought 2 dozen to their house and saved some to freeze for when they come to visit here. Last week, my grandsons were at our house for the day so I defrosted those I had frozen and they were just as delicious as the fresh-baked cookies.  Both boys loved them!

 

I used unsalted butter and I felt they needed a tiny bit more salt so I sprinkled a pinch of sea salt over the top of the next few batches right when they came out of the oven.  I also didn't have chocolate chips so I simply chopped up 2 Ghirardelli 60% Cacoa Baking Bars that I did have in the pantry into chip-size pieces.


If your curiosity gets the better of you - give these a try!  I think you're going to be pleasantly surprised also.  Two young, very active, grandsons-approved. 

 

PLEASE READ if you have a toddler in your family, I highly recommend the Puddle Jumper swim float that my two-year-old grandson is wearing in the photo above.  Since children that age can still be quite top-heavy, this keeps them afloat with the head above water very well. They are also Coast Guard approved.  I know both Target and Costco have carried them this year.  It's wonderful for brave little swimmers like ours :)


In the garden, it seems I am surrounded by purples and blues now. These flowers are clematis vines, for those of you who are interested.  Clockwise, starting from the upper left going around the outside, you see Jackmanii Superba, Etoile Violette, Royal Velours, and Emelia Plater with Etoile Violette in the background.  In the center box, Vesuvius (also known as Galore) and Juuli is the lighter flower.

This is my favorite time of year when my clematis are in full bloom. I could even go without cookies if they would only last until the end of summer :)

Moist Chocolate Chip-Pudding Cookies

Printable Recipe

Makes 4 dozen medium-sized cookies

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 cup butter, softened to room temperature (1-1/2 sticks)
3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup white sugar
1 (3.4 oz) packages instant vanilla pudding
2 eggs, room temp
1 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place flour and baking soda in a medium bowl, whisk together, and set aside. In a large bowl or a stand mixer, cream butter and sugars. Add in the pudding mix and beat until light and fluffy - about 1 minute. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat until smooth. Slowly add the flour mixture and incorporate well. Last, add the chocolate chips and stir well to mix them throughout the dough.

Place cookies on a silipat or parchment-paper lined baking sheet.  You can drop them by tablespoons-full or use a medium cookie scoop for uniform cookies and bake for approximately 11 minutes, depending on your oven.  They should be golden brown around the edges. 
Allow to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing. 

The baked cookies freeze well, as does the cookie dough.

43 comments:

  1. These cookies sounds and look delicious Susan!
    And I love yours pics what beautiful kids and love the flowers!

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  2. Eery time I see pudding cookies they look so incredible...I have to give them a try!

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  3. I will for sure give these a try..too funny we both have choco chip cookies for the boys on our blog.
    The boys are beautiful Susan..aren' t you glad you have the beautiful pool?
    I wish we still did now!
    Your clematis my dear are stunning!!

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  4. That sounds easy enough. Your grands are so darling! If they give the cookie high marks, I believe them.

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  5. They look melt-in-mouth delicious! And look at the beautiful summer blue...you are an excellent gardener, Susan.

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    1. Thanks, Angie. They make me look like a good gardener :)

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  6. The cookies sound great Susan! It looks like you're having a fun summer-enjoy:@)

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  7. You've got it right about cookies being crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. Chewy is essential, at least for me. Your grandsons are adorable and you have quite a green thumb Susan. Your summer blues are gorgeous.
    Sam

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  8. Such adorable photos of your grandsons!
    I've read about those cookies, but have never tried them. Now I will. I have made two ingredient cakes with box mixes, which turned out nicely, but I cringed while doing it. So pleased to read these turned out so well, Susan.

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    1. I know what you mean, Barbara. Thankfully, we don't do it that often :)

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  9. There's something about little boys and chocolate chip cookies. Personally, I'd like to have one (or two) while sipping iced tea in your beautiful garden.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  10. What addictive chocolate chip cookies, the pudding combination must make them seriously soft and delicious :D

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

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  11. Never heard of using pudding in cookies but they sound and look delicious. Love the photos of the flowers and adorable grandchildren.

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  12. I am out of the loop, as I never heard of adding pudding to a chocolate chip cookie mix, but they sound exactly how I like them, so I will try this,Susan! Your grandsons are getting so big.Thanks for the tip about the floatation device.. I will get one for my granddaughter. Your clematis all look gorgeous! I will have to see if they will grow well in our climate here as I need more color in my garden.

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    1. I would think clematis would do very well there, Pat! Your Colorado university extension probably has some information on it. Let me know if you ever need any more information on growing them!

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  13. hello Susan, You have such adorable grandsons , the two twins grandsons are growing so fast before you know it they will start walking :-) I like the flowers in your garden and these Moist Chocolate Chip-Pudding Cookies look very delicious , I have to try them out..

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  14. I love that the cookies are not flat. They look and sound amazing. Love the floatie - and will tell my daughter about it. Also love your clematis. I haven't had much luck growing them in Virginia. They are all gorgeous.

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  15. I've never thought about adding pudding to cookies...goes to show you...The cookies look fantastic!

    ela h.
    Gray Apron

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  16. I have saved a similar recipe but was always afraid to veer from the tried and true! You have inspired me to try it!
    The boys are so handsome, and so different! Your clematis are beautiful. I lost so many this year.
    I love the blues and purples!

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  17. Your 2 little guys are awesome and I can imagine how much they love Grandma and her cookies. The clematis is gorgeous! They make quite a display this time of year.

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    1. Yes, I think I'm required by Grandmother Law to spoil them with cookies :)

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  18. these look great... i can never seem to get my ccc's just right and yours look perfect. I'm not sure if you can get 'pudding' in the UK... what is it exactly?

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    1. I don't claim to be an expert but I think it's called custard in the UK. Perhaps Birds custard powder might be similar. I did do a web search and see that Amazon UK sells the brand I used, which is Jello Instant Pudding and Pie Filling: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jell-O-Instant-Vanilla-Pudding-96g/dp/B003X1YRHA/ref=pd_bxgy_grocery_img_y/278-8970299-5285520.

      Hope that helps!

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  19. This looks like a delicious recipe, Susan. Soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies are our favorite. A batch or two of cookies in my freezer has saved the day more than once. Grandmas are expected to have a stash of cookies at all times.

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  20. You're the kind of Grandma that I like! My gram always baked us cookies and to this day, it is such a fond memory. The boys are handsome and so very precious. My clematis was putting on quite a display and I would revel in the blue and purple show.

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  21. Oh I will take 2 or 3 (or 4) of those cookies for a bedtime snack. Love the addition of pudding and the additional moistness!

    What a fun swim thing. I think the 3 year old may be too big for that next summer and we're getting one more year out of the lifejacket we bought 2 years ago.

    Have a great week.

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  22. OMG I think I will make these cookies in the morning for my grandkids! I am in NY visiting again. And YES! They too - have the same Puddle jumper swimmies - aren't they amazing? So practical and safe. And, thank you for sharing your beautiful garden and especially the names of your flora forest- it really helps to know the names. Thanks again!

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  23. they look so tasty and how cute are your Grandsons

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  24. Yum! I need 2 of those to go with my coffee this morning.
    I will send the info on the floats to my daughter - Thanks for sharing.
    Your grands look like they are having a lot of fun.

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  25. How nice to think about food again and these innovative cookies. Who would have thought to use pudding in a cookie? It seems counterintuitive. I always know the recipes are a winner when you do them though, you never steer me wrong. Hope you are having a great summer.

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  26. Those cookies look great. Don't you love those county and state fair recipes? I always enjoy trying them. It looks like you and yours are enjoying a terrific summer!

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  27. Beautiful cookies! Love the idea of using pudding - probably makes the cookies soft and fluffy!

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  28. Wow. These do look like the ultimate CCCs! Who knew pudding was the magic trick!

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  29. I love chocolate chip cookies, just can't resist them!! Your plate of cookies looks great, I wish I was your neighbor!! :)

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  30. Really? Pudding in the cookie batter? I love the description of these cookies, crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside...whatelse can I ask for? Thanks for the recipe Susan!
    Enjoy the rest of your week :D

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  31. Hi Susan, love these cookies, will be trying them, never heard of adding pudding to cookie dough before. Also great tip on the puddle jumper, we have another new addition, will be picking one up. Oh your garden flowers look wonderful!!

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  32. Those cookies look wonderful, so chocolatey! My hubby has this crazy thing for trying every chocolate chip cookie from stores - all horrible! I wouldn't waste a calorie on them!! I always tell him I would rather make him some delicious homemade ones.
    We have our little two year old in one of these life vests - it is incredible and she is such a waterbug! They are so adorable! Enjoy them!

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  33. Oh, these are to die for, can't wait to try them ! Lovely pics Susan, your grandchildren are adorable ! A warm hug

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  34. Hi Susan, your chocolate chips cookies sure look addictive. Guess hard to stop eating and great to go with coffee. :)) Thanks for sharing your recipe.

    Your grandchildren look so adorable. Love those flowers from your garden, they are lovely.
    Have a wonderful week ahead,regards.

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  35. What wonderful chocolate chip cookies. What wonderful grandsons. And those clematis are pretty wonderful, too! I love chocolate chip cookies and I am always open to trying any recipe!

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  36. Addictive looking choc chip cookies! It would be difficult to stop at just a few!
    Your grandsons are really cute!

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  37. this is one of the foods to make it to Lebanese markets and I can just imagine all the possibilities! these look to-die-for, irresistible. will need to make a batch. soon.

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