Cookie Dough Christmas Gifts

For the last couple years we have passed out cookie dough as gifts for friends. I have two Kitchen-Aids and because of this it has made the job quite easy. My 14 year old daughter has been a huge help with this. I put the cookie dough in plastic Christmas tubes you would find at Walmart or a dollar store. I try to pick them up after Christmas for half price because I need about 30 of them. Here is the recipe I use, which I found at allrecipes.com

Chocolate Chip Cookies

1/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 brown sugar
1 cup butter or margarine
1 t. vanilla
2 eggs
1 (3.5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding
1 t. baking soda
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Preheat oven to 375˚. In mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars. Mix in vanilla, eggs and pudding mix. Combine flour and baking soda; add to creamed mixture and mix well. Fold in chocolate chips (and nuts). Drop by teaspoons onto greased baking sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.

I use margarine because it seems to stay in the fridge better. Butter tends to make the mix dry out faster. You can keep this mix in the fridge for about 2 weeks and freeze for 3 months. I just finished my last 12 batches tonight and will have them all out by tomorrow!!! I've had a couple requests for more and they even offered to pay. Of course I would never allow them to pay for them, but it is flattering.