Fun and easy to make. The surprise ingredient here is instant chocolate pudding mix, and the friend who gave me this recipe actually called them “Chocolate Pudding Chip Cookies.” These cookies definitely don’t have the look or taste of dark chocolate; they are light-tasting and chocolatey sweet.

Makes about 40

1 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup lightly packed light brown sugar
1 pkg. instant chocolate pudding
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
2 1/4 cups all-purpose (plain) flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 pkg. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Preheat oven to 375F/190C degrees.

Mix butter, sugars, pudding, and vanilla in large bowl. Add eggs one at a time. Mix until creamy and light.

Add flour and baking soda. Mix until batter is stiff. Add chips and nuts.

Drop cookies in dollops about the size of ping pong balls on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes.