Best Cookies I have ever had
- Carbohydrate 18.9813109523809 g
- Cholesterol 10.8609523809524 mg
- Fat 4.12597607142857 g
- Fiber 1.16319646396807 g
- Protein 1.93977702380952 g
- Saturated Fat 2.24793745238095 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Serving (29g)
- Sodium 63.7330952380952 mg
- Sugar 17.8181144884129 g
- Trans Fat 0.314912476190476 g
- Calories 117 calories
Step-by-step
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine the oats, flour, pudding mix, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts.
- Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets.
- Bake at 375? for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Remove to wire racks.
The Chemistry of Structure and Moisture
Flour and rolled oats supply essential starches and insoluble fiber that absorb free water during dough formation, preventing excessive spreading in the oven. Incorporating a dry vanilla pudding mix introduces modified food starches and additional sugar, which bind free moisture tightly and lock in a soft interior crumb that resists staleness over several days. Baking soda reacts with acidic components present in brown sugar and the pudding mix, releasing carbon dioxide gas to provide a subtle upward lift without compromising the dense, substantial mouthfeel expected from an oatmeal cookie.
Equipment and Thermal Control
Standard aluminum baking sheets conduct heat rapidly, meaning dark-colored pans require lowering the oven temperature by 25 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent premature burning on the bottoms before the centers set. Dropping the dough by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased surfaces allows the fat rendered from the butter to interact directly with the metal, creating optimal frying conditions for lacy, caramelized edges. Removing the batches immediately upon reaching a light golden brown color at 375 degrees Fahrenheit halts residual carryover cooking, ensuring the interiors remain tender as the structure cools on wire racks.
