M and M Pudding Cookies

Have you ever wondered how criminals think?  Or how those that seem to always get involved with the wrong people at the wrong time think?  Or, do they even think?

Enter a story.

Last Sunday we were invited to a friend's house for an outdoor barbecue with kids, adults, football and food.  The husband went to work in the morning with plans to pick us up promptly after he got off work and then head to the party.  So the kids and I (more me, than the kids) got to work on whipping up a large batch of cheesy crock pot potatoes and these cookies (which are fabulous by the way, but we'll get to them in a bit).

At 3 p.m. my phone rings.  It's the husband.  I'm going to be late, I'm stuck at the hospital with a woman who thinks she's going crazy (literally) and I need to wait for a judge and a psych evaluation before I can leave (my husband is cop, not an ER doc - but wouldn't that be fun too?)

So, here I am with 49 lbs of hot potatoes (or so it seems) a huge batch of cookies, the kids up from their nap and ready to go...but we have no where to go.  It got me thinking...do these people ever really think that their craziness, stupidity or recklessness often interrupts the plans of a well-deserved family?

I doubt they know.  Or care.

Let's jump forward a few hours.  We got to the party.  I took the bull by the horns, loaded up the kids and the food, drove the 10 miles and arrived at the party, sans my husband.  I knew about 3 people there when I walked in, but we gave it a whirl anyway.  More people I knew showed up later, the kids had a TON of fun running around outside and the husband eventually showed up 3 hours later.

Just another one of the joys of being a cop's wife.

Ready for me to talk about these cookies now?  Bored with my life story?  Sorry.  Here we go.  Remember how I've always said my 'Forget Your Bikini Body' cookies are my #1 cookie? Well, I think I may have lied.  These are either a close second, or have taken over the top spot.

M and M Pudding Cookies

{Printable Recipe}

1 c. butter, softened

3/4 c. brown sugar

1/4 c. sugar

1 t. baking soda

1 t. vanilla

2 eggs

1 t. cinnamon

1 box instant vanilla pudding (3.4 oz.)

1/4 t. salt

2 1/4 c. flour

1 1/2 c. M&M's

1/2 c. mini chocolate chips

In a stand or hand-held mixer, beat butter and sugars.  Add in eggs, vanilla cinnamon.  In a separate bowl sift together flour, baking soda, pudding and salt.  Slowly add dry ingredients to wet mixture.  Fold in M&M's and chocolate chips.

Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes.  Remove from cookie sheet to cool to a wire rack.  Yields: 3 dozen.

Have your plans ever been interrupted by a stranger's life?

Are you willing to try these cookies?