Imagine biting into a cookie that is softly crackled on the edges but melt in your mouth tender inside, with a rich chocolatey pudding center that feels like dessert in every bite.
These cookies are perfect for an after school snack, a weekend treat, or to pack in lunches for a little pick me up on busy days.
SaveI first started making them when I wanted the flavor of chocolate pudding cookies without the fuss, and they quickly became a staple in my kitchen.
Chocolate Pudding Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
Cookie Base
Pudding Filling
Instructions
- Whisk Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
- Cream Sugars and Butter
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add Egg and Vanilla
Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, and beat until smooth and well blended.
- Combine Wet and Dry
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Prepare Pudding Filling
In a small saucepan, whisk together milk, cornstarch, sugar, and cocoa powder. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and bubbles, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Finish Pudding
Remove the saucepan from heat, stir in the butter and vanilla extract until smooth, then let the pudding cool to room temperature.
- Chill Cookie Dough
Cover the cookie dough and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or up to overnight to help the cookies hold their shape.
- Assemble Cookies
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Roll tablespoon sized portions of chilled dough into balls, place a spoonful of pudding in the center, and seal the dough around the filling.
- Bake Until Set
Arrange the filled cookie balls on a parchment lined baking sheet, gently flatten each slightly, and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are set but the centers look slightly soft.
- Cool Completely
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool fully before serving.
Substitutions and variations
- Use salted butter and omit the added salt if preferred.
- Swap whole milk with any milk type including plant based options.
- Replace cornstarch with an equal amount of all purpose flour for a thicker filling.
- Use dark cocoa powder for a deeper chocolate flavor.
- Substitute the egg with a flax egg for a vegan version.
Chloe's tips
- For extra fudgy centers, slightly underbake the cookies and let the residual heat finish setting the pudding.
- Use a small cookie scoop for evenly sized dough balls and uniform baking.
- Store the pudding filled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days.
How to store it
- Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Freeze baked cookies for up to 1 month and thaw in an airtight container at room temperature.
Serving suggestions
Serve these cookies as a sweet snack or pack them in lunch boxes for a fun treat.
- Place on a decorated plate for a small dessert spread
- Pair with a glass of cold milk for the classic cookie and milk experience
- Share in a cookie tin at the office for a quick morale boost
Frequently asked questions
Can I use cocoa powder without milk?
Yes, you can use cocoa powder without milk in the filling by replacing the milk with water or plant based milk.
Why did my cookies spread too much?
This can happen if the dough was too warm or the cookies were placed too close on the baking sheet. Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading.
Can I make these cookies gluten free?
Yes, replace the all purpose flour with a gluten free flour blend that includes xanthan gum or add 1 teaspoon of xanthan gum if not included in your blend.
How do I know when they are done baking?
The edges should look set and lightly golden while the centers may still appear slightly soft; they will firm up as they cool.
Let's get cooking!
These chocolate pudding cookies are easy to make, fun to eat, and perfect for satisfying sweet cravings any time of day.
