Preheat the Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets

• Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This ensures your cookies will bake evenly and won’t stick to the pans.

Mix Dry Ingredients

• In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together 2 ½ cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Add in the 1 package of instant vanilla pudding mix and stir to combine. Set the dry ingredients aside while you prepare the wet ingredients.

Cream the Butter and Sugars

• In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together 1 cup of softened unsalted butter, ½ cup of granulated sugar, and ½ cup of packed brown sugar. Beat the mixture on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until it becomes light and fluffy. This step is crucial for creating the soft and chewy texture of the cookies.

Add the Eggs and Vanilla Extract

• Add 2 large eggs, one at a time, to the butter and sugar mixture, beating well after each addition. Stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and mix until fully incorporated.

Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can affect the texture of your cookies. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky.

Add Optional Mix-ins

• If you’d like to include any mix-ins such as mini chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, or colorful Christmas sprinkles, fold them into the dough at this point. Gently stir to distribute the mix-ins evenly throughout the dough.

Scoop and Shape the Dough

• Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion the dough into 1-inch balls. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. You can gently roll them in your hands to form smooth balls if desired.

Flatten the Dough

• Gently flatten each dough ball with the back of a spoon or your fingers. This helps the cookies spread evenly while baking and ensures they cook uniformly.

Bake the Cookies

• Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set. The cookies should still be soft to the touch when you remove them from the oven, as they will continue to firm up as they cool.

Cool the Cookies

• Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents them from breaking apart while still warm.

Serve and Enjoy!

• Once the cookies have cooled, they’re ready to be served! These Christmas Vanilla Pudding Cookies are perfect for any holiday gathering or as a sweet snack to enjoy throughout the season. You can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze them for longer storage.