Proof in the Pudding!

by Zehorit Heilicher, Tastemaker in Residence

Did you know that October is Cookie Month? As if Cookies NEED a specific month? Aren’t they an every month/week/day occurrence? Aren’t they “thinking of you”, “miss you”, “need a lift”, “worked really hard today-I deserve one”, “feeling blue or happy” kind of fixture in our lives? Speaking for myself – as a cookie lover, I am always on the lookout for cookie recipes: drop, cutout, layered, dipped, rolled – you name it – I have a cookie for every mood and every occasion.

Since some of my kids have moved away, I am in constant search for good care-package cookies. Like all cookies, they should have great flavor and texture, however they also need to stay moist and intact after 2-3 days in transit. My extensive search uncovered a relatively new cookie craze: The Pudding Cookie! 

Yes, a relatively simple, ordinary cookie batter basks in the creaminess of widely available pudding mix and Voila! A tender, soft and cohesive cookie is born. These will last in an airtight container for about a week! Even better: no more dry and brittle cookie crumbs upon the package arrival, but a delicious soft cookie! And by the way, if you choose to keep a few for yourself – I promise I won’t tell!

Imagine the endless possibilities for the different seasons: Pumpkin spice chocolate chip cookie (one of my personal favorites), Butterscotch cookies, peppermint chocolate fudge cookies and so much more!! 
Below is a collection of some of my favorites with links to their recipes.
Happy Baking!!

1. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Pudding Cookies
2. Soft Butterscotch Chip Pudding Cookies
3. Peanut Butter Cheesecake Pudding Cookies
4. Butterscotch Molasses Pudding Cookies
5. Chocolate Peppermint Pudding Cookies
6. Root Beer Pudding Cookies
7. Sweetheart Raspberry Pudding Cookies
8. Peanut butter-Choc. Chip-Banana Cream Pudding Cookies
9. Coconut Lime Pudding Cookies
10. Samoa Pudding Cookies  

Picture Credits:

1. Root beer Cookies: http://www.chef-in-training.com/2012/11/root-beer-pudding-cookies/
2. Samoa Cookies: http://www.chef-in-training.com/2012/11/root-beer-pudding-cookies/
3. Pumpkin Choc. Chip: http://www.chef-in-training.com/2012/10/pumpkin-chocolate-chip-pudding-cookies/
4. Butterscotch: http://lecremedelacrumb.com/2014/05/butterscotch-chip-pudding-cookies.html
5. Chocolate Peppermint: http://www.cheeriosandlattes.com/chocolate-peppermint-pudding-cookies/