Cookie Monster Magic

I married the ultimate Cookie Monster who devours dozens of chocolate chip cookies a week. I've experimented with a few different recipes but my cookies have always turned out flat and either too crunchy or too soft...until I discovered the magic ingredient: instant cheesecake (or vanilla) pudding mix!
It creates a cake-like center with a crunchy edge. Jeff likes the consistency of the chew and how the cookies stay soft for a while in the cupboard. It's a little sweeter than the normal chocolate chip cookie so I add a little salt.
Here's the recipe:

1 c. butter, softened
3/4 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. white sugar
2 eggs
1 3.4 oz. instant cheesecake pudding mix (the Jell-o brand)
2 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
2 Tbs milk
1 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips (or just throw in the small pkg)


DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Cream the butter and sugars in a large mixing bowl. Add pudding mix, milk, eggs and vanilla extract. Combine flour, baking soda and salt; add to mixture and mix well. Add the chocolate chips.
3. Drop by tablespoons on baking sheets. Bake 10 to 12 minutes.

I like this variation because I can choose either vanilla, french vanilla or cheesecake pudding mix. Chocolate chip cookies are all Jeff likes for dessert so this allows me to change up the weekly recipe a little.