These Christmas cookies are loaded with perfect amount of warm, vanilla flavor. The taste similar to Stauffers Holiday Shortbread Cookies but the texture is that of a chewy vanilla chip cookie.
Christmas Vanilla Pudding Cookies are a holiday favorite cookie of ours for cookie trays. These pudding cookies are made with simple ingredients and can be easily customized with your favorite holiday sprinkles. They are the best cookie to leave for Santa, but don’t forget the milk.
Did you know that using instant vanilla pudding mix in cookie dough is an easy way to make them soft, chewy, and flavorful? Just like our zesty Lemon Pudding Cookies, and Pistachio Pudding Cookies, these holiday pudding cookies are just that. Plus, they’re easy to make with tried and true pantry staples! If you love vanilla and cookies, then you need to give this recipe a try. Trust me – you won’t be disappointed!
Vanilla Pudding Christmas Cookies
This recipe is fantastic because it only uses common cookie ingredients. Light brown sugar, granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, softened, unsalted butter, and baking soda are a few items you’ll need. If you don’t have any baking powder or milk on-hand that is okay because this recipe uses neither.
Red and green sprinkles are used to achieve the Christmassy confetti effect.
How to Make these Cookies
Gather all your ingredients and prepare your stand mixer with the paddle attachment.
In the bowl of a stand mixer add the softened butter and both sugars. Cream until fluffy, and combined.
Add the pudding mix, eggs, and extract; continue to beat until combined.
In a small bowl whisk the flour and baking soda together. At low speed, slowly add the mixture to the batter. Combine until dough is thick.
Fold in the white chocolate chips and Christmas sprinkles. Once they are mixed into the dough, remove the dough, form it into a ball, and place it in plastic wrap. Chill the dough for one hour minimally, or longer for best results. To achieve the texture I did, you’ll need to chill for two hours.
Once the dough feels firm, preheat the oven to 350°F. Use a 2 tablespoon-size cookie scooper, scoop out the dough balls.
Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet (2 inches apart as they do not spread) and bake for 10 minutes. The bottom edges will be slightly golden brown and the cookies will firm up as they cool. Transfer cookies to a cooling rack and repeat until all cookies have been baked.
Cookie Making Tips
Note: These cookies are pretty standard to make, but there are a few things you should know! A stand mixer is very important to work this dough because it will get thick quickly. Unfortunately, a hand mixer will not cut it!
– Use instant vanilla pudding mix. This will ensure that your cookies are flavorful and moist.
– Use softened butter, but not melted butter. Your cookies will spread if you use melted butter.
– Do not overbake your cookies. pudding cookies should be slightly underbaked so they are soft and chewy.
– Fold in any festive holiday sprinkles, chocolate chips, or crushed candy canes as the last step before chilling the dough.
Storing Pudding Cookies
Pudding cookies are best stored in an airtight container. They will last for up to a week when stored at room temperature. They can also be frozen for up to three months when stored in an airtight container, or freezer-safe bag. When ready to eat, thaw the cookies at room temperature for about an hour.
More Delicious Pudding Cookie Recipes
- Lemon Cake Mix Cookies
- Brownie Cookies
- 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
- Chewy Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
Pudding cookies are a delicious and easy way to spread holiday cheer! Be sure to try this recipe and enjoy the festive season with your friends and family. Merry Christmas!
Christmas Vanilla Pudding Cookies
Equipment
- Stand Mixer fitted with paddle attachment
- Plastic wrap
- Refrigerator
- Oven adjusted to center rack position
- parchment paper
- large baking sheet
Ingredients
- 2¼ cups All-Purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ cup unsalted butter softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup light brown sugar
- 3.4 ounces vanilla instant pudding
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups white chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons holiday sprinkles
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer add the softened butter, and both sugars. Cream until fluffy, and combined.
- Add the vanilla pudding mix, eggs, and vanilla extract; continue to beat until combined.
- In a small bowl whisk the flour and baking soda together. On low speed, slowly add the mixture to the batter. Combine until dough is thick.
- Fold in the white chocolate chips and sprinkles. Once they are mixed into the dough, remove the dough, form it into a ball, and place it in plastic wrap.
- Chill the dough for one hour minimally, or longer for best results.
- Once dough feels firm, preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Use a 2 tablespoon-size cookie scooper, scoop out the dough balls. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet (2 inches apart as they do not spread). Bake for 10 minutes. The bottom edges will be slightly golden brown and the cookies will firm up as they cool.
- Transfer cookies to a cooling rack and repeat until all cookies have been baked.
Morning! I would like to make these for a Christmas party but I don’t have a stand mixer with a paddle. Is this necessary for them to turn out?
Hi, you can use a wooden spoon but it will take some good, old-fashioned muscle work to mix :)
Can you use any flavor of pudding?
Yes, you can!
Do you mix up the pudding mix first when adding it into the cookies or just add the pudding mix dry to the cookie dough ?
Hello, I sent an email, but the mix goes in dry with the flour and is not prepared per the package instructions.
These cookies are awesome for the holidays. They aren’t too sweet (which is perfect) and are very cute. I think adding a little peppermint would add a delicious flavor!
Thank you, for stopping by! So glad you enjoyed them!