Chocolate Chip Candy Cookies

What’s better than a chocolate chip cookie? A chocolate chip cookie with chocolate candy in it! These cookies are so much fun because you can really make them your own. Add whatever candy bars you like (I like the combination of peanut butter cups and Kit Kat bars), and feel free to substitute different kinds of chips (white chocolate, dark chocolate, caramel chips, etc.). If you aren’t a peanut butter fan or have an allergy, just omit the peanut butter chips and add peanut-free candy bars.  

Warning…these are addictive!

Ingredients:                                                             

 
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup packed light brown sugar
½ cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 (3.4 oz.) box caramel pudding mix
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. salt
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup peanut butter chips
1 ½ cups chopped up chocolate candy bars (Peanut butter cups, Kit Kat, Heath, etc.)  *I like to use at least 2 different kinds.

Directions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugars with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla and continue to beat until thoroughly combined.

2. In another bowl, combine the pudding mix, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the bowl with the butter mixture and beat until everything is combined. Stir in the chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, and chopped candy bars. Allow the dough to chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes.

3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Once the dough has chilled, take a heaping tablespoon of dough and shape it into a ball, then place it on a cookie sheet. Continue this process, placing the cookies a few inches apart on the pan. Bake for 9-12 minutes, or until the cookies have just started to brown slightly but are still soft in the center (Do not overbake!). Allow the cookies to cool for a minute or two on the baking sheet, then transfer the cookies to a cooling rack. Continue this process with the remainder of the cookie dough.

 Once cooled, store cookies in an airtight container.

Enjoy!