Secret Recipe Club - Chocolate Chip Cookies

I am a new member to the Secret Recipe Club.  I am beyond giddy to be a part of this group. You too can join. Just click Secret Recipe Club.  Not knowing exactly what to expect I was anxious when waiting for my first blog assignment.

When I had checked my email one morning I was thrilled when I had seen that Amanda from Amanda's Cookin' had sent me my first blog assignment to recreate a recipe from. I immediately went to the blog and it was love at first sight.

For my first month as a member of the Secret Recipe Club I don't think I could have received a better blog to choose a recipe from.

Once A Month Mom.  "Helps fill your freezer by creating monthly menus using seasonal recipes." That is a concept I can get behind.

Everyday I would go to my bookmarks and click on the link to see what's new. I had a hard time deciding what recipe to try. I decided on Chocolate Chip Cookies. I needed a recipe I could make for a "Thank You" and an "I'm thinking about you" to two of my neighbors. I have a neighbor who regularly brings us fresh lettuce and another who lost his wife 4 years ago and doesn't know his way around the kitchen and has a major sweet tooth. What better way to show I care than with a batch of fresh baked Chocolate Chip Cookies?

These Chocolate Chip Cookies were unlike any I had ever made before. In the ingredients list was a box of Jello Vanilla Pudding Mix. What?!? I couldn't wait to see how these would turn out. I'm not much of a cookie person but when they are fresh out of the oven I can't resist two or three.

Because I was preparing these with the intent on giving them to others and it being a new recipe I had cooking anxiety. My first batch I second guessed myself on if they were done and ended up burning the bottoms. The second batch I didn't leave in long enough and were still doughy on the inside. Finally I had it figured out by the third batch. 9 minutes. No more, no less.

Fresh out of the oven these Chocolate Chip Cookies had a slight crunch on the bottom and were soft on the inside. Itty Bitty and I each sampled a cookie and the rest went to the neighbors. What a surprise! Both of my neighbors' eyes lit up and they were well received even for it being around breakfast time. One exclaimed, "Perfect timing to go with my coffee."

Because you can freeze the dough balls, thaw, and then bake, this recipe makes for a perfect last minute dessert to take to a get together, for a bad day pick-me-up, or to share with loved ones.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Pam at Once A Month Mom

Makes about 4 Dozen

Stars of the Show:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup butter-flavored shortening
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 (3.4 oz.) box vanilla pudding mix
• 2 1/4 cup flour
• 1-2 cups chocolate chips, depending on your taste

And Action:

Cream together butter, shortening, sugars, eggs, and vanilla. Add flour, salt, baking soda, and pudding mix. Mix well, then stir in chocolate chips.

Place by teaspoonfuls on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in a preheated 350F oven for 8-10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.

Cool a bit and enjoy with a glass of ice cold milk.

To Freeze: After baking, you can cool the cookies and then place in a freezer bag or container, then freeze. OR, if you enjoy a freshly baked cookie, place the dough or shaped balls in a freezer bag or container and freeze. Then when you are ready to bake, thaw the dough, shape into balls, and bake as above.