Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). This step is crucial as it ensures your cookies bake evenly. While the oven heats up, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat, which helps prevent the cookies from sticking.
In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of unsalted butter and the sugars: 3/4 cup brown sugar and 1/4 cup granulated sugar. Using an electric mixer, beat them together until the mixture is creamy and smooth. This usually takes about 2 to 3 minutes. You want to see a pale, fluffy consistency.
Add in the 1 package of vanilla pudding mix, 2 large eggs, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the bowl. Continue mixing until everything is well combined. The pudding mix will add a luscious texture, so don’t skip this step!
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. This will ensure that your dry ingredients are evenly distributed before adding them to the wet mixture.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; you want to maintain that soft texture. The dough should be thick and just come together.
Fold in the 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips with a spatula or a wooden spoon. This is where the magic happens as those sweet morsels get distributed throughout the dough.
Using a rounded tablespoon, drop rounded scoops of the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space in between each scoop. They will spread while baking, so make sure to give them room.
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for about 10 to 12 minutes. Keep an eye on them; you want the edges to be slightly golden while the centers remain soft. They might look underbaked, but they will continue to cook on the baking sheet.
Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven. If you like, sprinkle a little flaky sea salt on top for an extra touch. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Enjoy your freshly baked Pudding Chocolate Chip Cookies warm or at room temperature. These cookies are best shared with friends and family, creating delightful moments together.
