Peanut Butter Pudding Cookies

This cookie recipe has been quite the hit on my chat list. A couple of weeks ago, this recipe showed up as one of the recipes in the recipe swap that I participate in. They looked great! I love the combination of peanut butter and chocolate, and for some reason, lately I have really been enjoying Reese’s Pieces, so these sounded perfect. I looked at the trail of where the recipe originated and it looks like three different bloggers from my list have made these cookies. They really must be good!

I liked that each recipe was a little different, using different mix-ins. The Reese’s Pieces are a must, in my opinion, but after that you can be creative. I used what I had on hand, peanut butter and chocolate chips, but I liked the idea of peanut M&Ms or chocolate covered peanuts. These use packaged pudding mix in the dough, which I think enriches the flavor and makes them nice and chewy.

I made these one morning, thinking that they wouldn’t take too long. It’s true, the dough is quick to put together and doesn’t require refrigeration. The recipe I was following said it made about three dozen. Well, I think I made 6 dozen or so! They don’t spread much so use more dough than you think you should. My first batch, which I made with about 1 tablespoon of dough, ended up being tiny, so I made the rest of the cookies bigger. These cookies are really fantastic! I love how soft and chewy they are and love the Reese’s Pieces and the chips in the dough. Thanks ladies on the list for helping me find such a great recipe!

Peanut Butter Pudding Cookies

2 1/4 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 small box (4 serving size) instant vanilla pudding

3/4 cup butter, room temperature

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tablespoon honey

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup chocolate chips

1 cup Reese’s pieces

1 cup peanut butter chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with silicone baking mats.

In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking soda, salt, and pudding mix. In a large mixer bowl combine the butter, peanut butter, sugar and brown sugar, beat until fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating for one minute after each addition. Stir in the vanilla and honey. 

With the mixer running on low, slowly add the flour mixture; do not over beat. Stir in the chocolate chips, Reese’s Pieces, and peanut butter chips with a spatula.

Shape the dough into 1-1/2 inch balls and flatten slightly. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until set. The cookies will look slightly gooey. Cool the cookies on the baking sheet for several minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Recipe from Kate’s Recipe Box and Christine’s Kitchen Chronicles and The Redhead Baker