A secret ingredient makes the softest chocolate chip cookies you’ve ever eaten.

The trick to these soft chocolate chip cookies is vanillainstant pudding mix.

Finishing the cookies withflaky saltreally ties everything together, creating the perfect balance between salty and sweet.

Southern Living Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies on a cooling rack

Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey; Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell

Learn how to make soft chocolate chip cookies, and surprise your friends with their new favorite dessert.

When you’re ready to bake, simply thaw the dough in the refrigerator overnight.

Ingredients

2cups(about 8 1/2 oz.

Southern Living Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies ingredients

Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey; Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell

)all-purpose flour

1tsp.baking powder

3/4tsp.kosher salt

1/2tsp.baking soda

1cup(8 oz.

)unsalted butter, at room temperature

3/4cup packeddark brown sugar

1/4cupgranulated sugar

1(3.4-oz.)pkg.

Line 3 large baking sheets with parchment paper, and set aside.

Southern Living Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies lining the pans with parchment paper

Credit:Hannah Hufham; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Fold in chocolate chips.

Sprinkle with flaky sea salt.

Remove from oven, and let cookies cool on baking sheet 10 minutes; transfer to wire racks.

Southern Living Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies sifting together the dry ingredients

Credit:Hannah Hufham; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Repeat with remaining baking sheets.

Serve cookies warm, or let cool completely, about 15 minutes.

Southern Living Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies beating together the butter and sugars

Credit:Hannah Hufham; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Southern Living Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies adding the eggs and pudding mix

Credit:Hannah Hufham; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Southern Living Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies adding the flour mixture to the cookie dough

Credit:Hannah Hufham; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Southern Living Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies folding in the chocolate chips

Credit:Hannah Hufham; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Southern Living Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies scooping out the cookie dough to bake

Credit:Hannah Hufham; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Southern Living Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies after baking on the cookie sheet

Credit:Hannah Hufham; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley