Chef Mitchell preparing Festive Soft Pudding Cookies
👨‍🍳 Professional Chef

Recipe by Mitchell

🎓 10+ Years Experience ⏰ 1000+ Recipes Created 🍽️ Culinary Graduate

❤️ My Recipe Story

"I stumbled upon this recipe during a holiday baking marathon with friends. After perfecting the texture with pudding mix, I knew I had created something special. These cookies quickly became a holiday staple in my household. Now, they’re a must-have at every gathering, bringing joy and delight to all who try them."

Chef Mitchell has a passion for American cuisine, particularly desserts. With over a decade of experience, he specializes in creating comforting and nostalgic treats that evoke warm memories. His expertise shines through in this recipe, making each cookie a delightful experience.

View All Mitchell's Recipes →
A plate of freshly baked Festive Soft Pudding Cookies decorated with colorful sprinkles and chocolate chips.

Why This Festive Soft Pudding Cookies Recipe Works

These Festive Soft Pudding Cookies stand out due to their unique use of instant pudding mix, which creates an incredibly soft and moist texture. The combination of brown and granulated sugar also adds depth and a hint of caramel flavor. This recipe is simple yet yields impressive results that will wow your guests.

The flavor profile balances sweetness from the sugars with a touch of vanilla and a burst of chocolate chips. The festive sprinkles not only add color but also a touch of crunch. With a quick baking time, you can have fresh cookies ready to share in no time.

💡 Professional Tip

For the best results, make sure your butter is at room temperature before creaming it with the sugars. This will ensure a fluffy cookie dough that bakes evenly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can prepare the cookie dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Just scoop the dough onto baking sheets and bake them when you're ready to enjoy the cookies fresh from the oven.

If you don't have instant pudding mix, you can make your own by using a blend of milk powder, cornstarch, and flavoring. However, for the best texture and flavor, it's recommended to stick with store-bought pudding mix.

Baking is the best method for these cookies, as it allows them to rise and develop a soft interior. Ensure your oven is preheated to the right temperature for even cooking.

To prevent cookies from spreading too much, make sure your butter is not overly soft and chill the dough for about 30 minutes before baking. This helps maintain their shape during baking.

The cookies are done when the edges are lightly golden and the centers still look soft. They will continue to cook slightly after being removed from the oven.

These cookies pair wonderfully with a glass of cold milk or a warm cup of cocoa. They can also be served at holiday parties alongside other festive treats.

Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Just ensure that your baking powder and other ingredients are also gluten-free.

Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. You can also freeze them for longer storage; just ensure they are well wrapped.

Recipe Troubleshooting Guide

✅

Cookies Turned Out Flat

Problem: Flat cookies can be disappointing and may arise from a few common mistakes.

Solution: Ensure you used room temperature butter and that your baking soda is fresh. Chilling the dough can also prevent cookies from spreading too much during baking.

✅

Cookies are Too Dry

Problem: Overbaking or using too much flour can lead to dry cookies.

Solution: Make sure to measure your flour correctly by spooning it into the measuring cup rather than scooping directly from the bag. Keep an eye on the baking time to avoid overbaking.

✅

Cookies Stick to the Baking Sheet

Problem: Sticking cookies can be frustrating and happens if there's not enough grease on the baking sheet.

Prevention: Always line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to ensure easy removal. Let cookies cool for a few minutes on the sheet before transferring them.

✅

Unevenly Baked Cookies

Problem: If some cookies bake faster than others, it could be due to uneven heat distribution.

Recovery: Rotate your baking sheets halfway through the baking time to ensure even cooking, especially if your oven has hot spots.

✅

Cookies Have a Gritty Texture

Problem: Grittiness can result from improperly mixed dry ingredients or not using fine sugar.

Prevention: Make sure to sift your dry ingredients together and ensure that your sugars are fine to create a smooth texture in the cookies.

✅

Flavor Balance Issues

Too Sweet: If the cookies are too sweet, consider reducing the sugar content slightly next time or balancing it with a pinch of salt.

Too Salty: If the cookies are too salty, ensure you used the correct amount of salt and consider reducing it in future batches.

Bland: If the cookies taste bland, try adding a little more vanilla extract or a touch of cinnamon for added flavor.

A variety of ingredients including butter, sugar, flour, and chocolate chips set out for making Festive Soft Pudding Cookies.

Choosing the Best Ingredients for Festive Soft Pudding Cookies

Selecting high-quality ingredients is crucial for achieving delicious Festive Soft Pudding Cookies. Fresh butter and good quality chocolate chips will enhance the flavor and texture of your cookies. Always check expiration dates on your baking ingredients to ensure freshness.

When preparing your ingredients, make sure to sift your flour and dry ingredients to avoid lumps. Using room temperature eggs and butter will also help create a better dough consistency, making it easier to mix and ensuring even baking.

Essential Ingredient Notes

  • Unsalted Butter: Using unsalted butter allows you to control the saltiness of your cookies. Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
  • Granulated Sugar: Granulated sugar helps to create a crisp edge while keeping the center soft. It also contributes to the cookies' overall sweetness.
  • Instant Pudding Mix: Instant pudding mix is the secret ingredient in these cookies that adds moisture and a soft texture. Choose a flavor that complements the other ingredients, such as vanilla or chocolate.
Cookies baking in the oven, rising to a perfect golden brown while being surrounded by festive decorations.

Mastering the Cooking Technique

Baking cookies is an art that requires precision and attention to detail. Mixing the ingredients properly ensures a uniform dough that bakes evenly. The key is not to overmix the dough; just combine until the dry ingredients are moistened.

Watching the baking time is crucial; cookies should look slightly underbaked when removed from the oven since they will firm up as they cool. You can also test with a toothpick to check if the centers are set while ensuring the edges are golden.

The Secret to Perfect Festive Soft Pudding Cookies

The addition of instant pudding mix is what sets these cookies apart, giving them a unique softness that traditional recipes lack. Additionally, chilling the dough helps maintain the shape and improves the overall texture.

Festive Soft Pudding Cookies

Prep 30 min
Cook 12 min
Serves 24 cookies servings
Level Easy

📋 Ingredients

Sauce/Flavoring

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
    Provides richness and moisture
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
    For sweetness and structure
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
    Adds moisture and a hint of caramel flavor
  • 2 large eggs
    Bind the ingredients together
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    Enhances overall flavor

Main Ingredients

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
    Forms the base of the cookies
  • 1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
    Creates a soft, pudding-like texture
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    Provides leavening
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    Balances sweetness
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
    Adds rich chocolate flavor
  • 1 cup festive sprinkles
    Adds color and fun to the cookies

Instructions

  1. Cream the Butters and Sugars

    In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.

  2. Add Eggs and Vanilla

    Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, and then stir in the vanilla extract.

  3. Combine Dry Ingredients

    In another bowl, whisk together the flour, instant pudding mix, baking soda, and salt.

  4. Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet

    Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined.

  5. Stir in Chocolate Chips and Sprinkles

    Fold in the chocolate chips and festive sprinkles until evenly distributed.

  6. Preheat the Oven

    Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

  7. Scoop the Dough

    Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

  8. Bake the Cookies

    Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers are still soft.

  9. Cool and Enjoy

    Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.

Recipe Notes & Tips

Make-Ahead Instructions

Prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. This allows the flavors to meld and can enhance the overall taste of the cookies.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these cookies warm with a glass of milk for a classic treat. They also make a wonderful addition to holiday cookie platters.

Recipe Variations

For a different flavor, try substituting half of the chocolate chips with crushed nuts or dried fruits. You can also experiment with different pudding flavors.