Vanilla Pudding Cake Cookies: Your New Favorite Sweet Treat

There’s just something about the holidays that calls for cookies—don’t you agree? These Vanilla Pudding Cake Cookies are more than just your average cookie. They’re soft, chewy, and loaded with festive charm thanks to the red and green sugar coating. If you’re looking for an easy recipe to whip up a batch of delicious, holiday-ready cookies that everyone will love, you’ve come to the right place!

These cookies combine the convenience of cake mix with the magic of instant pudding, resulting in a sweet treat that’s moist, flavorful, and almost impossible to resist. Whether you’re prepping for a family get-together, a cookie swap, or just need an excuse to make your kitchen smell incredible, this recipe will become your go-to.

Now, I’ve got a bit of a soft spot for these cookies. The first time I made them, I was looking for a quick dessert option for a last-minute holiday gathering. The result? A plate of cookies that disappeared faster than you can say “pass the milk!” Since then, it’s become a tradition to bake these every December, and I’m thrilled to share the recipe with you.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Here are just a few reasons why these Vanilla Pudding Cake Cookies deserve a place on your holiday baking list:

1. Effortless to Make

With just a few ingredients and minimal prep time, these cookies come together in no time. Perfect for busy days when you want something homemade but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.

2. Soft and Chewy Texture

The addition of vanilla pudding mix to the dough ensures these cookies stay soft and chewy, even days after baking. It’s like biting into a little cloud of vanilla goodness!

3. Festive and Customizable

The red and green sugar coating makes these cookies perfect for Christmas, but you can switch up the colors for any occasion—think pastels for Easter or orange and black for Halloween.

4. Family-Friendly Fun

This recipe is great for baking with kids. Rolling the dough in colorful sugars is a fun activity for little helpers, and the result is a batch of cookies they’ll be proud to show off.

5. Irresistible Flavor

The vanilla pudding mix not only enhances the texture but also boosts the flavor, giving these cookies a rich, sweet taste that’s perfect on its own or paired with a glass of cold milk.

Recipe Snapshot

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Servings: 24 cookies

Calories per cookie: ~110

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make these delightful cookies:

• 1 box (16.25 ounces) white cake mix: The base of our cookies, providing sweetness and structure.
• 1 box (3.5 ounces) vanilla instant pudding & pie mix: Adds softness, chewiness, and a boost of vanilla flavor.
• 2 large eggs: Helps bind the dough and adds moisture.
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened: Adds richness to the cookies.
• 2 tablespoons milk: Keeps the dough pliable and easy to work with.
• Red and green decorating sugars: For that festive holiday look! Feel free to mix or use separately for different effects.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Making these Vanilla Pudding Cake Cookies is as easy as 1-2-3! Follow these detailed steps for perfect results every time:

1. Prep Your Baking Essentials

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or coat it with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Mix the Dough

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, dry pudding mix, eggs, butter, and milk.
• Use a spatula or hand mixer to mix everything together. The dough will be thick—don’t worry, that’s exactly what you want! It might take a bit of elbow grease, but the results are worth it.

Tip: If the dough feels too sticky to handle, pop it in the fridge for 10–15 minutes to firm up.

3. Prepare the Decorating Sugars

• In a small bowl, mix equal parts red and green decorating sugars.
• For a fun variation, you can use separate bowls for each color and make single-color cookies or roll the dough in both sugars for a tie-dye effect.

4. Form the Dough Balls

• Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into smooth balls.
• Roll each ball in the decorating sugar, ensuring it’s fully coated.

Pro Tip: For evenly sized cookies, use a cookie scoop to portion the dough.

5. Bake

• Place the sugar-coated dough balls on your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. These cookies will spread a little as they bake.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 8–10 minutes, or until the cookies are set but not browned.

Don’t Overbake! The cookies should look slightly underdone when you pull them out—they’ll continue to set as they cool.

6. Cool and Enjoy

• Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 1–2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Serve warm or store for later (though I doubt they’ll last that long!).

How to Serve

These Vanilla Pudding Cake Cookies are versatile and pair well with a variety of sides and beverages:

• With Milk: Classic and comforting.
• On a Dessert Platter: Add these cookies to a tray with brownies, fudge, or other holiday treats for a festive spread.
• As a Gift: Package them in a cute tin or holiday-themed bag for a thoughtful, homemade gift.

Tips for Success

1. Measure Accurately: Make sure to measure your ingredients correctly, especially the liquids, to avoid overly wet or dry dough.
2. Don’t Skip the Pudding Mix: It’s the secret to the soft, chewy texture that makes these cookies so special.
3. Chill the Dough: If the dough is too sticky to handle, a quick chill in the fridge can make rolling much easier.
4. Experiment with Colors: Try using different colored sugars to match the season or event.
5. Store Properly: Keep the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their soft texture.

Recipe Variations

These cookies are endlessly customizable! Here are a few ideas to make them your own:

• Chocolate Lovers: Swap the white cake mix for chocolate cake mix and use chocolate pudding instead of vanilla.
• Lemon Twist: Use lemon cake mix and lemon pudding for a citrusy variation.
• Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free cake mix and pudding mix for a celiac-friendly option.
• Sprinkle Fun: Instead of decorating sugars, roll the cookies in colorful sprinkles for a playful look.
• Marble Effect: Divide the dough into two bowls and color each with red or green food coloring, then swirl them together for a marbled effect.

Storage and Freezing

• Storage: Place cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for up to 5 days.
• Freezing: Arrange the cookie dough balls on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Transfer to a freezer-safe bag and store for up to 3 months. Bake straight from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to the baking time.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use different pudding flavors?
Absolutely! Vanilla pudding adds a classic flavor, but feel free to experiment with chocolate, butterscotch, or even banana pudding mix.

2. Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes! You can make the dough a day in advance and store it in the fridge. Just let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before rolling.

3. What if I don’t have decorating sugars?
No problem! You can roll the dough in granulated sugar or powdered sugar for a different look.

4. Can I double the recipe?
Definitely. This recipe is easily scalable—just make sure to mix the dough thoroughly if doubling or tripling.

5. Why is my dough so thick?
That’s normal! The thick dough is what gives these cookies their soft, chewy texture.

Conclusion

There you have it—Vanilla Pudding Cake Cookies that are soft, chewy, and bursting with holiday cheer. They’re quick to make, endlessly customizable, and perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re sharing them with family and friends or keeping them all to yourself (no judgment!), these cookies are guaranteed to bring a smile to everyone’s face.

So, what are you waiting for? Preheat that oven, grab your mixing bowl, and let’s get baking! Don’t forget to share your cookie creations by tagging me on social media—I’d love to see your festive masterpieces. Happy baking! 🎄

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