These soft-baked chocolate chip pudding cookies are the definition of melt-in-your-mouth perfection. By adding instant vanilla pudding to the dough, you get an incredibly rich and chewy texture that elevates your cookie game to the next level. Each bite delivers a perfect balance of buttery dough and pools of melty chocolate chips.
Whether you’re making them for a weekend treat, a bake sale, or just to satisfy a weeknight craving, these cookies are an instant crowd-pleaser. They’re also a breeze to make, no chilling required—just mix, scoop, and bake. Don’t be surprised if they disappear before they even cool.
Full Recipe
Ingredients:
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2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
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1 teaspoon baking soda
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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1 cup unsalted butter, softened
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3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
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1/4 cup granulated sugar
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1 (3.4-ounce) box instant vanilla pudding mix
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2 large eggs
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Directions:
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
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In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
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Beat in the dry instant vanilla pudding mix until combined.
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Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
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Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
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Fold in the chocolate chips using a spatula or wooden spoon.
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Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop dough onto the prepared baking sheet.
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Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are golden but centers are still soft.
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Let cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 12 minutes | Total Time: 27 minutes
Kcal: 210 kcal | Servings: 24 cookies
Why You’ll Love These Chocolate Chip Pudding Cookies
Chocolate chip cookies are one of the most iconic and beloved desserts across the globe—but if you’ve never added vanilla pudding mix to your dough, you’re missing out on a game-changing twist. Chocolate Chip Pudding Cookies are uniquely soft, tender, and chewy, thanks to one secret ingredient: instant vanilla pudding mix. It may seem simple, but this pantry staple transforms your cookie texture without making them cakey. Instead, you’re left with a rich, buttery cookie that stays soft for days. The pudding locks in moisture, making these cookies perfect for baking ahead or gifting.
This recipe doesn’t require any chilling, which makes it ideal for those spontaneous baking urges when you want homemade cookies without the wait. With the perfect balance of brown and granulated sugars, these cookies have depth, sweetness, and a hint of caramelization. Combine that with melty pools of semi-sweet chocolate and you have an irresistible treat that’s loved by both kids and adults alike.
What Makes These Cookies Stand Out
The main differentiator in these cookies is texture. Traditional chocolate chip cookies often fall into two camps—either crispy or soft—but rarely both. By incorporating instant vanilla pudding into the dough, the cookies retain a moist, fluffy interior while maintaining a slightly crisp edge. This “bakery-style” consistency is difficult to achieve with standard ingredients alone.
Another advantage is the simplicity. This recipe doesn’t call for any special techniques or obscure ingredients. You don’t need to chill the dough, brown the butter, or bring anything to room temperature ahead of time (besides the butter itself). Everything mixes quickly and easily in one bowl, and the results are foolproof even for beginner bakers.
You also won’t find the cookies spreading too much in the oven. Thanks to the pudding mix, the structure remains stable, which means you can rely on consistently thick and pillowy cookies every single batch.
The Secret Ingredient: Vanilla Pudding Mix
Let’s talk about why pudding mix is such a powerful addition. Instant pudding contains modified cornstarch and flavorings, both of which contribute to moisture retention and structure. This means your cookies will stay soft for days without drying out. It also adds a subtle vanilla flavor that complements the richness of the chocolate chips without overpowering them.
Many bakers describe the results as “melt-in-your-mouth,” and it’s easy to see why. The combination of fats, sugars, and pudding stabilizers creates a truly luscious texture that holds up to storage, shipping, or even freezing.
This is the kind of small tweak that turns a good cookie into a great one. If you’re looking for a signature cookie recipe to call your own, this is the one to bookmark.
Perfect for All Occasions
These cookies are incredibly versatile. They’re a go-to choice for holiday baking trays, school lunches, potlucks, or late-night snacks. Because they hold up well over time, they’re also great for mailing in care packages or making ahead for parties.
If you’re a food gifter, this recipe is a dream. You can bake a big batch, package them in cute tins or cellophane bags, and they’ll arrive fresh and chewy even a few days later. They’re especially popular around the winter holidays or for occasions like Valentine’s Day, birthdays, or bake sales.
You can also personalize them easily. Add chopped nuts, substitute white or dark chocolate chips, or sprinkle a bit of sea salt on top before baking. This recipe is endlessly adaptable while keeping its signature softness intact.
Storage and Shelf Life
Another strong point of this cookie recipe is how well the cookies keep. Because of the pudding mix, these cookies remain moist and chewy for several days. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature and they’ll taste just as good on day four as they did fresh out of the oven.
If you want to freeze the dough for later, simply scoop it onto a tray and freeze until solid. Then transfer the dough balls to a freezer-safe bag and bake straight from the freezer when the craving strikes. Add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time and you’re good to go.
These make-ahead and freezer-friendly qualities are perfect for busy households, holiday prep, or anyone who just wants homemade cookies on demand.
Tips for Success
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Use real butter: The richness and creaminess from butter are key to achieving that melt-in-your-mouth experience.
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Don’t overmix: Once you’ve added your flour and pudding, mix just until combined to avoid tough cookies.
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Use a cookie scoop: This ensures even-sized cookies that bake uniformly.
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Don’t overbake: The cookies will look slightly underdone in the center when you remove them from the oven, but they’ll continue to cook on the baking sheet. This keeps them soft and chewy.
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Cool on a rack: Letting them sit for 5 minutes on the baking sheet helps them set, then transferring to a rack avoids sogginess on the bottom.
These little details may seem minor, but they make a big difference in the final texture and flavor of your cookies.
Kid-Friendly and Crowd-Pleasing
Kids adore these cookies. They’re sweet, chocolaty, and easy to hold in little hands. Parents love them too because they can be made in under 30 minutes and don’t leave a mess behind. It’s also a fun baking project for families—easy enough for kids to help scoop and stir.
You can also use the dough for fun variations like cookie sandwiches, ice cream cookie sandwiches, or even pressing them into mini muffin tins to create cookie cups. The dough is sturdy yet flexible, making it ideal for creative baking.
If you’re planning a party, these cookies are an easy win. Add them to dessert boards, serve them with a glass of milk, or just pile them high on a plate. They’ll disappear in minutes.
A Modern Twist on a Classic Favorite
Classic chocolate chip cookies are timeless, but this pudding version gives them a modern upgrade. It’s the kind of recipe that feels nostalgic but fresh, familiar yet slightly indulgent. If you’ve been making the same cookie recipe for years, this one is a simple way to change things up without straying too far from what you love.
It’s also worth noting that these cookies get even better the next day. That’s right—they actually improve in flavor and texture overnight, making them an excellent make-ahead option for events or meal prepping.
Conclusion
Chocolate Chip Pudding Cookies are everything you want in a homemade cookie—soft, chewy, rich, and full of chocolate. The addition of vanilla pudding mix is a small change that creates major results, turning this classic treat into a bakery-style indulgence you can make at home with ease.
Whether you’re baking for a celebration, your family, or just yourself, this recipe is bound to become a new favorite. It checks all the boxes: quick prep, foolproof instructions, kid-friendly, customizable, and unbelievably delicious. Make a batch and watch them disappear—then get ready to be asked for the recipe again and again.
Baking should bring joy, and this recipe delivers just that in every warm, gooey bite.