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I tried creating these Melt-in-Your-Mouth Holiday Pudding Treats during our family's yearly Christmas baking marathon and they instantly became the cookie everyone begs for. Adding instant pudding to the mix creates this amazing soft texture that makes folks grab seconds. When we whip these up, my kitchen transforms into a festive red and green playground.
The Magic Behind Irresistible Cookies
The instant pudding isn't just an ingredient—it's what makes these cookies unbelievably tender. They stay so soft you won't believe it. And those bright splashes of Christmas colors from the Jello powder make them look totally festive. My little ones always fight over who gets to coat them in sprinkles.
Your Ingredient List
- Unsalted Butter: ½ cup, room temperature, creating a buttery foundation.
- Granulated Sugar: ¾ cup, adding just the right sweetness.
- Large Egg: 1, helping everything stick together.
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon, giving that warm background taste.
- All-Purpose Flour: 1½ cups, forming your cookie base.
- Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: 1 box (3.4 oz), the trick to that amazing texture.
- Red and Green Jello Mix: 2 tablespoons each, bringing Christmas colors and subtle flavor.
- Baking Soda: ½ teaspoon, making them rise just right.
- Salt: ¼ teaspoon, cutting through the sweetness.
- White Chocolate Chips: 1 cup, adding creamy pockets of goodness.
- Christmas Sprinkles: ½ cup, for that festive finishing touch.
Creating Cookie Wonders
- Prep Time
- Heat your oven and line your cookie sheets with parchment paper first thing.
- Create Your Foundation
- Beat the butter with sugar until it's super fluffy then drop in your egg and vanilla.
- Bring in the Dry Team
- Stir in everything else including that game-changing pudding mix.
- Add Holiday Spirit
- Divide your dough in half, turning one batch red and one green before mixing in those pretty sprinkles and white chocolate chunks.
- Finish Them Off
- Form into balls and pop in the oven until the edges turn slightly golden.
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Tasty Variations
You can top them with melted white chocolate or throw in some smashed candy canes. We've tried holiday-shaped sprinkles and even tossed in festive M&Ms. You can really go wild with these cookies.
Storage Tips
They'll stay amazingly soft for several days if you keep them in a sealed container. I often cook extra and stick them in the freezer. They thaw perfectly when you need a quick sweet treat during the busy holiday season.
Festive Memories
These cookies have something extra special about them. It might be their bright colors or how everyone gathers to help make them. Whatever the reason, they've become a must-have part of our Christmas celebrations.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What does pudding mix do in cookies?
It makes cookies extra soft and chewy, keeps them fresh longer, and adds a hint of vanilla flavor.
- → Can I skip splitting the dough?
Sure! Use all green or all red jello powder instead. Just adjust the amounts accordingly.
- → How can I tell they’re ready?
Take them out of the oven when the edges are barely golden, usually 8–10 minutes. Don’t wait too long or they won’t stay soft.
- → What’s the best way to store them?
Pop them in a sealed container at room temp. They’ll stay fresh and soft for a few days.
- → Can I freeze these cookies?
Yep! Just put them in airtight containers or freezer bags, and they’ll last up to three months.
Conclusion
These colorful cookies are soft and chewy thanks to pudding mix and jello powder. Festive red and green doughs are loaded with sprinkles and white chocolate chips.