Chewy Coconut and Chocolate Chip Cookies

Nothing beats a chewy chocolate chip cookie and a glass a cold milk, right? How about a one that also has coconut? If you love coconut like me, you are going to love these super soft and flavorful chewy coconut and chocolate chip cookies I made last week. I ate way too many of them, but I figure I had to really test them out before sharing them with you. (Over and over and over again…cough). I was inspired by this award winning recipe and loved the idea of incorporating pudding mix. It is always a quick and easy way to add a lot of flavor to any recipe and this one is no exception. But why go with just vanilla pudding, when I could could go with coconut cream pudding? Oh yeah.  So I also halved the recipe,  skipped the nuts, added in come coconut, changed the brown and white sugar ratio and ‘viola! —-> Chewy Coconut and Chocolate Chip Cookies were born.

You’re welcome.

Ingredients

makes approx. 3 1/2 dozen cookies

2 – 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 (3.4 ounce) package instant coconut cream pudding mix
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 – 1/2 cups milk chocolate chips
1/2 cup shredded coconut

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Sift together the flour baking soda and salt into medium bowl. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until well combined.
Beat in the instant pudding mix until fully mixed.
Beat in eggs and vanilla.
Slowly add in flour mixture and mix until combined.
Gently stir in the chocolate chips and coconut .
Drop cookies by rounded teaspoon onto silicone baking sheet or parchment paper lined cookie sheets. (Ungreased cookie sheets will work as well.)
Bake for 10 to 14 minutes, or until edges are golden brown.
Cool on cookie sheet for one minute before moving to wire rack to cool completely.

Normally I prefer a chocolate chip cookie that uses shortening like this best chocolate chip cookie recipe, but the pudding mix does wonders to keep this cookie from spreading out too thin.

If coconut really isn’t your thing, that is ok! Try the original recipe as is, or add in your own favorite flavor combinations. Either way, you are sure to get a cookie that makes your mouth sing!! Trust me.