Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies

4½ cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

2 cups butter, softened

1½ cup packed brown sugar

½ cup white sugar

2 (3/4 ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding mix.

4 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

4 cups semisweet chocolate chips

2 cups chopped walnuts (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1.     Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift together the flour and baking soda, set aside.

2.     In a large bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar, and white sugar. Beat in the instant pudding until blended. Stir in the eggs and vanilla. Blend in the flour mixture. Finally, stir in chocolate chips and nuts.  Spoon dough by rounded spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet.

3.     Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven. Edges should be golden brown.