Are you craving warm, gooey chocolate chip cookies but don't want to spend hours in the kitchen? Then you've come to the right place! This recipe uses a secret ingredient – vanilla instant pudding mix – to create incredibly chewy, delicious cookies with minimal effort. It's a quick dinner idea, a perfect after-school treat, or a simple dessert for any occasion. Get ready to experience homemade cooking at its easiest and most delicious!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 (3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix (NOT the cooked type)
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions:
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Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze!
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Cream Together: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. An electric mixer makes this step super easy, but you can also do it by hand.
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Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
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Dry Ingredients Magic: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and pudding mix. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix! Overmixing develops gluten and can result in tough cookies.
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Chocolate Chip Heaven: Stir in the chocolate chips.
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Scoop & Bake: Drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between each cookie.
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Bake to Perfection: Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are still slightly soft. Baking times can vary depending on your oven, so keep a close eye on them!
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Cool & Enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for the Best Chocolate Chip Cookies:
- Softened Butter is Key: Make sure your butter is truly softened – not melted, but easily spreadable. This ensures proper creaming and a tender cookie.
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing leads to tough cookies. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Chill the Dough (Optional): For even chewier cookies, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. This allows the flavors to meld and prevents the cookies from spreading too much.
- Use Good Quality Chocolate: The type of chocolate you choose will significantly impact the taste. Experiment with different kinds to find your favorite!
Variations:
- Nutty Delight: Add 1 cup of chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, or macadamia nuts) to the dough.
- White Chocolate Craving: Substitute white chocolate chips for semi-sweet chocolate chips.
- Peanut Butter Power: Stir in 1/2 cup of creamy peanut butter along with the chocolate chips.
- Seasonal Spices: Add a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm, spiced cookie.
Nutritional Information (per cookie, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 150-200 (depending on size and ingredients used)
This easy chocolate chip cookie recipe is a fantastic addition to your repertoire of quick dinner ideas and delicious dishes. The pudding mix adds an incredible chewiness and makes these cookies unbelievably easy to prepare. Enjoy the simple pleasure of freshly baked, homemade goodness!