Chocolate Chip Cookies
Some of my earliest memories are of spending time at my grandma’s house–baking. I remember sitting on the kitchen counter, the green Tupperware bowl secured between my chubby legs and a wooden spoon in my clasp, waiting for the addition of each ingredient. Vanilla was always my favorite and became my first sweet “perfume” as grandma was sure to splash a drop on each wrist for me to rub in.
Maybe it’s my early baking memories, or maybe it’s because they are just THAT good, but I think chocolate chip cookies are pure comfort food and while there are thousands of amazing dessert recipes out there, it seems to be the one recipe I fall back to over and over. And because this “once a month mom” freezes more than just main dishes, cookie dough can often be found in my freezer as well. Someone’s having a bad day? Let’s bake chocolate chip cookies! Need a quick treat to take to a potluck? Give me 15 minutes and the cookies will be ready to plate. Friends coming over to play Settlers of Catan? Get out the chocolate chip cookies.
This recipe, slightly adapted from my days baking with grandma, is that go-to recipe I keep memorized. The secret ingredient seems to be the pudding mix which keeps the cookies moist long after baking.
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Author/Source:
Pam @ Onceamonthmom.com
Ingredients:
- 0.5 cup butter
- 0.5 cup butter-flavored shortening
- 0.75 cup white sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 (3.4 oz.) box vanilla pudding mix
- 2.25 cups flour
- 1-2 cups chocolate chips (depending on your taste!)
Directions:
Cream together butter, shortening, sugars, eggs, and vanilla. Add flour, salt, baking soda, and pudding mix. Mix well, then stir in chocolate chips.
Place by teaspoonfuls on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in a preheated 350F oven for 8-10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.
Cool a bit and enjoy with a glass of ice cold milk.
Freezing Directions:
After baking, you can cool the cookies and then place in a freezer bag or container, then freeze. OR, if you enjoy a freshly baked cookie as much as I do, place the dough in a freezer bag or container and freeze. Then when you are ready to bake, thaw the dough, shape into balls, and bake as above.
Have you ever tried with chocolate pudding? I haven’t…just curious about it!
I haven’t, but I bet it would be good! Maybe a bit of cocoa powder too so they would be double chocolate chip cookies. Yum.
I may have to try this weekend!
How much of a change would it be to the recipe to make them Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies using chocolate pudding? How much cocoa?
Great recipe! You could also shape your dough into balls, set them on a cookie sheet, freeze for about an hour on the cookie sheet then put the balls into a freezer bag!! Then, they will be ready to bake anytime!!! You could bake 1 or all of them!!!
Awesome tip, thanks!!
Do you cook the ‘cookie balls’ from frozen, or do you have to thaw them? If from frozen, do you just add extra cooking time?
Thanks in advance.
I’ve done it both ways. . .lots of times I take the dough out of the freezer and let it sit on the counter while the oven preheats. It thaws pretty quickly. But if it is still frozen you’ll probably will need an extra minute or two of cooking time.
I’ve used a similar recipe I found in a Taste of Home cook book years ago. It is the best!! I use a scoop from Pampered Chef that holds 2 Tablespoons and do like Tracey suggests — make balls first then freeze. I’ve had great results. Thanks for posting this!!
My favorite part about this article (besides the cookies, of course) is your reference to the Settlers of Catan. That is my favorite un-common game! Thanks for the recipe too.
I as assigned your blog for the Secret Recipe Club! I have enjoyed the blog and am so happy to have discovered it. The concept is great and ever so helpful. These chocolate chip cookies were raved about by everyone who I made them for. Great recipe! Thank you for sharing. http://imapretendchef.blogspot.com/2011/06/secret-recipe-club-chocolate-chip.html
I just finished a double batch of this (half I baked, half went to the freezer). Let me just say that these are absolutly fabulous! I never would have thought of adding pudding mix to the dough. Thank you for shareing this awesome recipe!