The Secret To Soft Baked-Style Cookies at Home Is Already in Your Pantry

There are few things in life that are as reliably delicious and universally enjoyed as the chocolate chip cookie. And that universal appreciation leads to a glut of recipe options. Searching “chocolate chip cookie recipe” on Google yields around 150 million results (and Allrecipes is responsible for at least 25 of those recipes.) That's a lot of cookies. It can get overwhelming, and make it hard to figure out which recipes are worth trying. 

Of course, one way to narrow it down is by thinking about what kind of chocolate chip cookie you’re after. Are you hoping to make a super thin and crispy Tate’s copycat? Or, perhaps you’re looking for a classic, no-frills option. Perhaps you want a soft, crowd-pleasing cookie like you'd get at a bakery. If you’re looking for that perfectly soft and chewy texture, we’ve got you covered with one of our top-rated chocolate chip cookie recipes.

This recipe for Award Winning Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies has over 11,000 ratings and 8,500 reviews. It produces super soft, tender cookies reminiscent of the Pepperidge Farm brand "Soft Baked" cookies from the grocery store (and our childhoods). To get that texture, the recipe utilizes an unexpected pantry ingredient: instant pudding mix.

Why You Should Add Instant Pudding Mix to Cookies

Instant pudding mix does a few things to your cookies—but the addition is less about flavor than it is about texture. First, the sugar in the mix helps your cookies retain moisture. That gives your cookies a more chewy center, and also ensures that they stay soft, even after an extra day or two. Second, the cornstarch in the instant pudding mix adds a bit of a lift to the cookies, helping them rise and create a more pillowy, fluffy bakery-esque cookie style.

When it comes to picking a pudding flavor, vanilla is what this recipe calls for, and the most neutral option. But, you can opt for different flavors to create a chocolate chip cookie hybrid—think chocolate, banana, or pistachio-infused cookies. And this technique isn’t just reserved for cookies. Many people also add pudding mix to cake for some of the same textural benefits of added moisture and height. 

If you're on the fence about whether to add pudding mix to your next baked good, don't take it from us—Allrecipes users have plenty of good things to say about these cookies. User Rob raves, “These cookies deliver every time! I don't modify the recipe at all. These cookies are moist and chewy, how I prefer them. I made them for a family event and now at every party or holiday I'm asked to make them.”

Allrecipes community member Colleen McDonald writes, “I have searched everywhere for an easy soft chocolate chip cookie recipe. I followed the directions exactly and I was very impressed. My kids (and husband) were gobbling them down before they were even cool on the racks.” One tip: be aware of the recipe yield before you give this one a whirl—one batch makes 72 cookies. Although, who has ever complained about too many chocolate chip cookies?!