These chewy chocolate chip cookies are a favorite in my family. There is a secret ingredient that makes them extra good!

To be honest, before this batch I hadn't had these cookies in years. But there was an era in my family where these were an absolute staple.
My brother, Clint, was one of those kids who was in high school when September 11th happened. He and a bunch of his friends instantly new as soon as they graduated they would join the services.
And join they did. It was one of those moments that made you proud and scared at the same time.

As he went of to Marine boot camp in California, we had been strictly warned against sending any sort of treats. Only send letters, and even then keep them simple.
Don't do anything that draws attention and definitely don't do anything that might make him stand out... standing out in boot camp is not a good thing.
But as he moved on to his MOS school in Texas for fire safety and rescue and then moved on to his base in North Carolina, treats suddenly became acceptable. And these cookies were the home baked goods that were most frequently sent.

There is just something about getting your favorite cookie baked by you mom to make you feel at home no matter where you are. Luckily Clint was never deployed overseas.
He would have been fine... I'm not sure that my mom would have been. Plus the postage to ship all of these cookies overseas would have really added up! ;-)
As things go, we somehow moved off these cookies an onto something else at some point along the way. But I knew I wanted to include them on the blog, so I dug up the recipe and whipped up a batch.

They were just as delicious as I remember them. No wonder he requested them as often as he did.
Of course they are perfect for care packages as well. A little taste of home goes a long way!
Storing your cookies
Cookies can be stored at room temperature for several days. Put them in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
Adding a slice of sandwich bread to the container helps keep them softer for longer. The bread will help keep a higher level of moisture in the container.
These cookies freeze well. You freeze baked cookies for several months in a freezer bag.
You can also freeze balls of dough on a cookie sheet and then transfer the frozen dough balls into a freezer bag. You can bake the dough from frozen, just add a minute or two to the baking time.

More great cookies
If you like fun twists on chocolate chip cookies, be sure to check out my kitchen sink cookies. They have bits of pretzels and caramel mixed right in.
Or if sprinkles are your thing, check out my funfetti white chocolate chip cookies. They are based on this recipe but dressed up for a fun party!
Do you love discovering great recipes? Me too! Click here and follow Cooking With Carlee on Pinterest for tons of great ideas.
Yield: 42 Servings

Soft and Chewy Vanilla Pudding Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate chip cookies that are the perfect mix of soft and chewy. They have big vanilla flavor and lots of chocolate. There is pudding mix hidden inside that gives them great texture and makes them super delicious. So get your glass of milk ready, it's cookie time!
prep time: 10 Mcook time: 40 Mtotal time: 50 M
ingredients:
- 1 cup butter
- 3/4 packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 3.4 oz package instant vanilla pudding
- 2 eggs
- 2 1/4 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups chocolate chips*
instructions:
How to cook Soft and Chewy Vanilla Pudding Chocolate Chip Cookies
- In a mixing bowl, cream butter, sugars and pudding mix.
- Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla.
- Combine flour and baking soda. Gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in chocolate chips.
- Drop by rounded teaspoons 2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets.
- Bake at 350 F for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Remove to wire racks to cool.
NOTES:
*Growing up we always used semi-sweet but lately we've been really liking milk chocolate chips in these cookies. Use your favorite or a mix.
Calories
122.70
122.70
Fat (grams)
7.28
7.28
Sat. Fat (grams)
4.36
4.36
Carbs (grams)
14.27
14.27
Fiber (grams)
0.67
0.67
Net carbs
13.60
13.60
Sugar (grams)
8.20
8.20
Protein (grams)
1.43
1.43
Sodium (milligrams)
73.88
73.88
Cholesterol (grams)
20.51
20.51
Copyright: Cooking With Carlee 2020

Clint's birthday is tomorrow. I believe I will make a batch for him. There is a secret ingredient that I usually, but not always, snuck in. I would often add very finely chopped walnuts. He really enjoyed them that way.
ReplyDeleteHe would love that!
DeleteNothing like a good Chocolate Chip cookie!! Thank your sweet brother for his service in the military and remind him, he has the BEST sissy in the whole world!!!
ReplyDeleteHa! He may not agree! ;-) Thanks, Andrea!
DeleteLOVE a good chocolate chip cookie and this looks yummy! Santa would be pleased!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteLook at all those chips!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteThanks for sharing such a touching memory along with this recipe.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Wendy!
DeleteSo yummy. My cookie pet peeve is when they are not chewy enough. I would eat them raw if that were appropriate.
ReplyDeleteI might still anyways...
Cookie dough is always appropriate! I agree completely!
DeleteI'll take 20!! :)
ReplyDeleteI would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Ha! I'll send them your way!
DeleteYour Chocolate Chip Cookies look delicious. We really appreciate you sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday and hope you are having a great day!
ReplyDeleteCome Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Thank you!
DeleteChocolate chip cookies are the best. These look so soft and gooey, my favorite, I can see why they were Clint's, or they are Clint's favorites! I've never seen pudding mix added to a baked good like this. I bet it gives great flavor and extra gooeyness to the cookie. I'm passing on your recipe to my daughter, the baker, these look delish!
ReplyDeleteThey really do make for extra soft and chewy cookies... sometimes I use the cheesecake pudding too =)
DeleteThese sound so good... I can see why they were his favorite!
ReplyDeleteWas he stationed at Camp Lejeune?
He was for a while!
DeleteI have made these because I quickly printed the recipe when you first shared it. Soft and Chewy...that’s exactly how I like my cookies to be and these are absolutely delicious!
ReplyDeleteYAY! I am so glad that you liked them!!!
DeleteI haven't made pudding cookies in years either, and I don't know why. Thank you for the reminder--I need to try this recipe!
ReplyDeleteThey are so yummy! You're welcome for your renewed addiction. ;-)
DeleteThere really is nothing like a homemade cookie from home when you are away from home. I love how pudding mix makes the cookies more moist.
ReplyDelete