BEST EVER CHOCOLATE CHIP AND M & M COOKIES!!!

 Ingredients

• 1/2 cup salted butter, soft
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 1-1/2 cups flour
• 3 tablespoons instant vanilla pudding- (the powder-do not prepare the pudding)
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 3/4 cup mini choc chips 
• 1-1/2 cups mini M & M's

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Beat butter and sugars until creamy.  Add  egg and vanilla.  Add flour, pudding mix, baking soda and salt till combined.  Fold in chips and M & M's by hand.  
3. Use a large tablespoon to scoop dough onto sheet.  Bake 11-13 minutes until edges are golden.  Cool on cookie sheet and remove to rack.  

Adapted from Picky Palate

HOMEMADE VANILLA BEAN PUDDING

IT'S NATIONAL TAPIOCA DAY! SINCE THAT WOULDN'T FLY WITH MY KIDS, WE MADE THE CLOSEST THING...HOMEMADE VANILLA PUDDING. WHICH DO YOU PREFER.....TAPIOCA OR VANILLA?

RECIPE ADAPTED FROM SMITTEN KITCHEN

WILL MAKE 6 half-cup servings

2 2/3c. whole milk, divided
1/2c. sugar
1/4c. cornstarch
1/4 tsp. salt
Seeds from 1/2 vanilla bean (or 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract)
1 egg

Bring 2 cups of the milk to a boil in a medium saucepan. Meanwhile, combine sugar, cornstarch, salt and vanilla bean seeds in the bottom of a medium, heatproof bowl. Gradually whisk in the remaining 2/3 cup whole milk, a little at a time so lumps do not form, then whisk in the egg. Once milk is boiling, very slowly add it to the cornstarch mixture in the bowl, whisking the whole time.

Return the mixture back to the pan. Stir constantly. Once it simmers, cook for one minute longer (which will cook the cornstarch and egg fully). (Stir in vanilla if you’re using it) Divide pudding among 6 dishes. Chill in refrigerator until fully set, about 2 hours. Place plastic on the pudding to prevent the pudding skin. Serve with a huge dollop of whipped cream!