It’s Valentine’s Day so I’m pretty sure that means that I should be alternating between napping and eating chocolate all day, right? Isn’t that what true love is about?
My kids aren’t allowing me to nap, but they can’t stop me from eating chocolate. I decided that today called for good old chocolate chip cookies, but not just any chocolate chip cookies. These cookies are special. They have a secret ingredient that makes them fat and fluffy and delicious and beautiful.
The secret ingredient is just a small box of instant vanilla pudding powder. Crazy, I know, but it does amazing things to cookies.
The only problem with making these for your Valentine is you won’t be able to sneak in any kisses. You’ll be too busy shoveling cookies in your mouth.
Secret Ingredient Chocolate Chip Cookies
adapted from allrecipes.com
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 3.4 oz. package vanilla instant pudding mix
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (I use King Arthur’s white whole wheat)
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Beat together butter and sugars until creamy. Beat in pudding mix, eggs, and vanilla. Stir together the flour, baking soda, and salt, and slowly mix that into the butter mixture until well combined. Stir in the chocolate chips. Drop by rounded spoonfuls (I use a cookie dough scoop) onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in a 350 degree pre-heated oven for 10-12 minutes.
| Tags: baking, chocolate, cookies, desserts 15 comments »
February 14th, 2010 at 6:21 pm
Cool secret ingredient… I’ve heard of using pudding in cakes, but I hadn’t thought of using it in cookies. Now I’m curious.
February 14th, 2010 at 7:24 pm
Oh, yes! The vanilla pudding recipe is my husband’s favorite. Although, I have to say that we use milk chocolate chips for this one. I think it fits the sweetness of the cookie a little better than semi-sweet.
February 14th, 2010 at 10:59 pm
Oh pudding! I’ve never thought of adding pudding to chocolate chip cookie dough. That is an awesome idea and I will definitely try it the next time I crave choc. chip cookies.
February 15th, 2010 at 5:00 am
instant pudding mix does wonderful things for cakes, too–i think it definitely adds a moist factor. lovely cookies, and here’s hoping you were able to sate both your chocolate and kiss cravings.
February 15th, 2010 at 7:07 am
Good heavens! That IS a surprise ingredient! I’ve used vanilla pudding in cakes but never cookies. I assume from what you say (and the photos) that it makes them moist and fluffy. Can’t wait to try this!
February 15th, 2010 at 8:13 am
Great tip! I will have to try this
February 15th, 2010 at 11:40 am
Interesting. I’d never thought or heard of using pudding mix in cookies! I’ll have to try that!
February 15th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
The cookies look very tasty!
February 15th, 2010 at 3:12 pm
I got this recipe from the newspaper a few years ago. If you think its good with vanilla pudding, try butterscotch pudding! AMAZING!!
February 15th, 2010 at 7:42 pm
These are some of my favorite cookies!! And the dough is FABulous!!
Great pictures!
February 17th, 2010 at 12:12 am
I just made these and everybody finds them fabulous and wonders if I really baked them. I haven’t successfully baked cookies my entire life, I’m a 20 year old male.. Follow the recipe and don’t forget to soften the butter.. hehe
February 19th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
I love all your photos! These cookies sound absolutely delicious. I can’t wit to try them
February 24th, 2010 at 11:03 am
These are absolutely calling my name!
March 8th, 2010 at 8:55 am
I made them and they are yummy! But the dough might be better than the baked cookies, just saying. My daughter does not like icing, so she always has cookies for her birthday, and this year we are doing these. YUM!
I made a “sample” batch to take to work and they were inhaled. Thank you!
I want to make some donuts, but need a donut cutter, so I put it on my wish list.
April 9th, 2010 at 7:14 pm
These cookies are amazing! I’ve made them twice now and my family loves them! Thank you so much for sharing the recipe!