Who Stole the Cookies from the Cookie Jar?

Chocolate Chip Cookies are a fabulous all weather treat!  When it gets cold, it's all about snuggling by the fire eating cookies & drinking milk and when the summer comes, who can resist rocking on the porch eating these goodies sipping fresh squeezed lemonade?

I found this wonderful recipe a few years back (kudos to who it belongs to!) and have used it many many times to make these delicious soft chocolate chip cookies.  One thing I absolutely love about them is that the recipe makes a bunch and the cookies stay soft for a long time!  Try it out and brighten someone's day with some fresh baked Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 1/4 cups of all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup of butter, softened
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup of white sugar
1 (3.4 ounce) package of instant vanilla pudding mix
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup of chopped walnuts (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Sift together the flour and baking soda, set aside.

2.  In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar.  Beat in the instant pudding mix until blended.  Stir in the eggs and vanilla.  Blend in the flour mixture.  Finally, stir in the chocolate chips and nuts.  Drop cookies by rounded spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.

3.  Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in preheated oven.  Edges should be golden brown.  Makes about 36 cookies.