Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies

Baking isn't really a summer activity, but I was having cookie cravings and fig newtons just weren't cutting it. Have you heard of the chocolate chip cookie recipe with vanilla pudding? You must try these. They're like homemade Soft Batch.

If you need proof of its goodness, here is a rack of cookies that were sitting out on the counter to cool last night:

I didn't have time to put them away this morning, but here is the same rack when I arrived home from work today:

From the looks of it, my spouse mouse gives these two crumb-covered thumbs up.

Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1 (3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars. Beat in the instant pudding mix. Stir in eggs and vanilla. Add flour and baking soda, mix well. Finally, stir in the chocolate chips and nuts. Drop cookies by rounded spoonfuls onto cookie sheets. Bake at 350 for 10 to 12 minutes.