Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Cookie Snobs Unite

Did you know that I am a cookie snob?
Yep, it's true.
I never eat store bought cookies (unless they are Girl Scout Cookies, of course!)

And, I have rules for homemade cookies.
They must be soft.
Hard cookies are no good....I am all about under baking my cookies to make sure they are soft enough.
Cookies are better if they are thick & chewy.
Small, thin cookies are no good (in my humble opinion)

A few years ago, I finally found a Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe that met all my standards.
They are not your typical chocolate chip cookie, but they sure are yummy!

Thick & Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies

Here is what you need:
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cups packed brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1 package instant vanilla pudding mix (3.4 ounce size)
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 bag chocolate chips ( I always use milk chocolate)
*optional: 1 cup chopped nuts (I never add nuts, but if you like nuts, add them!)

Yes, you read that right, you add a box of instant vanilla pudding!
And, I ALWAYS use milk chocolate chips (no semi sweet for this family.. to each their own!)
I told you I was a cookie snob!
I always have the girls help me when we make cookies.
They love to help.
Mostly, they make a mess, but that is okay, it keeps them entertained!
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Sift together the flour and baking soda, set aside.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar.
Beat in the instant pudding mix until blended. Stir in the eggs and vanilla.
Blend in the flour mixture. Finally, stir in the chocolate chips.

Drop cookies by rounded spoonfuls onto cookie sheets.
I use a cookie scoop...So much easier & less mess!
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven.
Edges should be golden brown. Don't over cook them!
(I always check them at 8-9 minutes)
And, I store the cookies in an air tight container with a slice of bread in it!
The bread dries out, but keeps the cookies soft..try it!
Kevin taught me this trick!
I always use the heel of the bread because that is the only thing it is good for...does anyone actually eat the heel of the loaf? Yuck!

Are you a cookie snob also?
What tips & tricks do you have when making cookies?

P.S. 4 more days left to enter the
Pioneer Woman Cookbook & Book Giveaway!

35 comments:

kim said...

Okay YUM! I am totally with you on the soft and chewy vs thin and hard! MUCH prefer them that way!

I LOVE using a cookie scoop. I got one a few months ago and have never looked back!

The vanilla pudding sounds SO creative - I definitely might need to try that!

But I'm a semi-sweet girl. The darker the better! :)

The Mumaw's said...

I make this recipe too. They are always a hit. I am a cookie snob as well. No small hard cookies for this mamma!

Tegan Aubrie said...

The ONLY store bought cookies I'll eat are those cake cookies with the frosting and sprinkles. I don't know if that qualifies me as a cookie "snob" though. Vanilla pudding, huh? Interesting!

*Jess* said...

I'm ashamed to say that I use the pre-sliced cookies in the nestle package (hangs bag over my head)

Julie {CalleLillyCafe} said...

yep my daughter only eats Oreos & my homemade cookies! I like big thick soft cookies. No pancake cookies for me. =) thx for sharing recipe! I will try w/my girls soon!

Coastal California said...

ok. This is scary. True story, all of it. The never buy store cookie, yuck. Loathe the dry crunch cookie, ick. Couple years ago (in the Gooseberry Patch Pinch of this Dash of that) I found that recipe. Until then really didn't make Chocolate Chip Cookies all that much....they turned out flat. No soft gooey center, all issues.
THIS RECIPE IS THE BEST. Can't miss! Works every time, brings tons of compliments & I love em. I've even changed the pudding flavors for fun. Like Chocolate pudding & white chocolate chips or peanutbutter ones.
Blogs are so cool
~Ada in Coastal Cali
ps Is your PB family trip coming up soon?

Melissa said...

2 thoughts with this post:

1. pudding? really?

2. bread? really?

I will be trying both :)

Thanks for the share

MamaPink said...

I can make a gourmet meal, muffins, pies, cupcakes. But cookies... NOT SO MUCH! I have been trying for years to master the simplest chocolate chip cookie recipe and they still come out flat. :( Fingers crossed your recipe does the trick. Thanks for sharing!

Amy said...

Vanilla pudding makes everything better, right? My daughter has no school today and guess what we may be doing.....;-) I'm right there with you on the soft and chewy thing. Wonder if it has to do with my Mom always leaving out or even substituting an ingredient AND not paying any attention to the timer! She'd always say,"They're a little burnt on the bottom!" ;-) I think that is definitely why I am very meticulous when I cook/bake. Have you tried Marta's 3-ingredient peanut butter cookies? She posted them awhile back...just made them and delivered some to our local firemen the other day! Thanks for sharing!

Brenda said...

Ah, I love reading your posts. I swear we're long-lost sisters!

Jennifer said...

I am with you, the softer the cookie, the better. I like to make cookies out of cake mixes, because they always turn out soft. I made these cookies last weekend that take chocolate pudding, and they are still soft a week later (and still delicious!): http://www.yourhomebasedmom.com/smores-cookies/

hannah singer said...

ahhhh! i am SUCH a cookie snob! haha! can't wait to try pudding-sounds like a smart move!

xo
(love your blog!!)

Kristi said...

This is very similar to my go to cookie recipe. It is actually my mother-in-law's and before hubby and I were married, I tried lots of other recipes out on him but none could ever measure up to his mom's. Boy am I glad to have this recipe!! It is so yummy!

kinze said...

pudding?! really?! okay now i've got to get off this couch and go grab me something sweet to eat thanks to your post ;)

Jessica Johnson said...

TOTAL cookie snob. almost embarrassed by it. crispy cookies need to DIE. seriously. and pudding?? really?? can't wait to try!

Laura said...

I'm not a COOKIE snob.
I'm just a snob

HAHAHA
not really

but a cake snob?
yes


will have to make these...
now tell me...miss chewy cookie snob...have you made my angel kiss cookies? because you will LOOOVE them. I promise.

Nicole Head said...

Hey Mel - totally just put all of this on the grocery list for this weekend & planning on making them - they sound delicious!

Random ?, but how do you take your Wednesday photos in the mirror? I've been trying to figure this out, but I keep ending up really blurry or with a giant flash in the picture...

Anonymous said...

Do you beat in the pudding mix as powder form, or in pudding form?

Holly said...

Wow! Never heard about the bread- I will need to try it- thanks. You always have the best ideas!

mel @ the larson lingo said...

To answer your question: Don't make the pudding...just add the dry pudding mix! :)

Allyce said...

These cookies turn out FANTASTIC!!! Thanks for the Vanilla pudding suggestion. They are the perfect soft cookie!

Jess said...

sounds like a perfect cookie to me!!! i use the bread trick too!!!i am so going to try this recipe!!!

Leah said...

I thought I was the only one. I too refuse to buy a processed cookie. Even Girl Scouts are a stretch for me. I only eat homemade and same as you, they have to be thick and chewy. I consider it a personal failure if a batch turns out flat. Even though my husband assures me they taste great. I still think they look horrible. I've tried that recipe with the jello and it's one of the only ones I'll use. Great tip on the bread! Thanks!

Kitchen Belleicious said...

Delicious. I am always up for new cookie recipes! The girls are so cute in the kitchen!

Hey- did your giftcard come in yet? Hope you had a great weekend!
XO
Jessica

Sonja said...

They look great!! One trick I have found that works fantastic for the perfect consistency cookie is to use half butter and half margerine. Butter tends to make harder cookie, so even though I usually only ever bake with butter, margerine seems to make chocolate chip cookies: perfect crispy edges, soft and chewy middle.

kristine said...

i am cookie snob with you too. i like thick and chewy and no nuts. i hate crispy cookies! blech!!! i'm totally trying this recipe. wish i had the ingredients right now!

Emily said...

Followed your link from Kelly's Korner...I have never thought of adding pudding to chocolate chip cookies (though I add it to cakes all the time), but that is pure genius! I'm going to try these this weekend...thanks for sharing! :)

lolopete said...

I made cookies with your recipe and LOVED them. Even my hubby who doesn't like cookies ate several. Looks like my Grammy's recipe is out the door, now. Thanks for posting this!!

Ben and Emily said...

Yum! I cannot wait to make these this weekend!

I'm also a soft and chewy cookie girl! Never understand why one wants theirs hard as a brick, but to each their own! :)

Erin @ Sassin' Southern Style said...

These look fab! I will have to try them. :)

Kristen said...

i am a total cookie snob.

i never ever use semi sweet. milk chocolate all the way!

carissa said...

bread with the cookies?!?! you smarty pants!

Karen said...

Vanilla pudding mix is awesome in banana bread also..thx for sharing your recipe.

formerly known as emj said...

Best cookies ever Mel! I think I ate almost 20 of them which is not so good for my get back to pre-baby weight plan but oh well. lol

Haley McAdams said...

Amazingly easy and really looks delicious. I'm definitely craving for a plate of that right now. Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe. This is definitely a must do recipe this weekend since I got my Food Handler Certification.

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