These Birthday Cake Pudding Cookies are sweet, chewy and loaded up with sprinkles. Tempting vanilla makes them the perfect alternative to cake, or you know, have both! I did!
Yesterday I turned 25. Yup, the big TWO-FIVE, and I’ve been having a lot of anxiety over it since this past summer. Why? I’m not really sure, I think it’s a lot of things. I’m officially closer to 30 than my teens. I haven’t yet seen the world. I haven’t taken enough risks. You know, the usual quarter century crisis stuff.
It’s funny, because most people say those who dread 25 are those who don’t have their life on track. But I do. I went to college, I bought a house, I married my high school sweetheart, I have two great jobs and I make good money. See, I’ve been going right down that checklist. I’ve even had a 401K for 4 years. I’ve always been responsible and so has Matt, but for the most part that meant that we worked two or three jobs in college, decided not to study abroad, and we never went on any fun trips with friends. And now that we’re both in our mid twenties we’ve settled into this routine of responsibility and boredom.
Wait, did I say I turned 25, I meant 40. Actually, I take that back, my parents are in their early 40s and I think they have way more fun than me. Is this was 25 is like for everyone?
I think the biggest thing though, is that on the checklist of life, the next things for us is kids. It’s like now that I’ve left my early twenties, I feel like the pressure is on to get everything I want to do for ME done before I run out of time. I’ve heard a couple quotes this year that have really gotten me worked up, the first was “We live two lives; one for us and one for our children” from Sam on True Blood. The second was “Once you’re a parent, you’re the ghost of your children’s future… Now we’re just here to be memories for our kids” from Interstellar. Yup, both of them kinda sent me reeling into a fit of panic that I’d barely lived my own life, that first life. I can feel it starting to flee and it scares the crap out of me. Now, don’t get me wrong, I WANT kids, but I have some things I NEED to do in this first life before I start in on that second one.
So I decided to make a list, a list of 25 things I’m going to do at 25. I may not get all of them done, but 365 days from now I want to be able to look back and say “that was a good year, that was a good first life, and I’m ready for whatever comes next.”
1. See the Fairy Pools in Scotland.
2. Lose 20 lbs.
3. Read 50 books.
4. Make macarons.
5. Hike Katahdin.
6. Start writing a book.
7. Stand on the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland.
8. Hike in Glacier National Park.
9. Go Skydiving.
10. Laugh more.
11. Visit Seattle.
12. Make homemade pie crust.
13. Take the train.
14. Swim in the Pacific.
15. Watch the sunrise somewhere pretty.
16. See a Broadway Musical.
17. Learn how to sew.
18. Go on a hot air balloon ride.
19. Have more sex.
20. Visit Gettysburg.
21. Go on a road trip.
22. Get published with a major media channel.
23. Be completely disconnected for a weekend.
24. Stay in a castle.
25. Love myself more.
So there it is, my list of 25 things I’m going to (attempt) to do while I’m 25. And honestly, since I decided to make this list a few weeks ago and really embrace a quarter century of life, I’ve been feeling a lot more optimistic. I think 25 is going to be a great magical year for so many aspects of my life.
To celebrate turning 25, I decided to bake up some sweet little Birthday Cake Pudding Cookies and share the recipe with all of you! I threw myself a fun little party too, but that won’t be on the blog for a couple of weeks! So in the meantime, enjoy these rainbow sprinkle loaded vanilla pudding cookies!
- ½ cup (1 stick) Unsalted Butter (room temp)
- ¼ cup Sugar
- ¾ Light Brown Sugar
- 1 (3.4 oz.) package Instant Vanilla Pudding Powder
- 2 Eggs
- 1 Additional Egg Yolk
- 1 tbsp Vanilla Extract
- 2½ cups Flour
- 1 tsp Baking Soda
- ½ tsp Salt
- 1 Cup Rainbow Sprinkles
- Cream butter and sugars together until smooth.
- Add pudding, eggs, additional egg yolk and vanilla. Beat for about one minute on medium speed.
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients a ½ cup at a time and mix until combined.
- Fold in rainbow sprinkles.
- Mold into a giant ball and wrap tightly in plastic wrap.
- Chill for at least two hours. Remove from fridge a little while before baking so the dough can soften a bit and is easier to work with.
- Scoop 1½ tablespoon sized scoops onto a nonstick baking sheet about two inches apart.
- Bake at 350 F for 13-15 minutes.
- Cool on pan for a couple of minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
Great list… Number 25, is a must…. and dear Rebecca, if you can bake a cookie like this a homemade pie crust is truly a piece of cake! (excuse the pun!) Happy birthday and enjoy 25.
I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to do a lot of the things you talked about (study abroad in Spain, traveled the world, be spontaneous, etc.) before I had kids, and I will say, it was amazing. I look back at the things that I did before having K, and I don’t regret the fun that we had and the incredible memories we made. Those things are worth way more than money to me. I hope 25 is an amazing year for you!
Rebecca, you have a terrific list and even if you get just a portion of your goals accomplished, 25 will be a great year for you. Keep this attitude and when you look back at age 50, you will think, “Wow! I loved my 20s, 30s & 40s!” Happy, Happy 25th Birthday.
Oh these look yummy! I have a funfetti cookie that we make, but our cookies come out flat. These look nice and fluffy. I’ll definitely try your recipe soon.
I love your list–all good things! The cookies look so good–thanks for sharing the recipe. I took a baking class on pie crusts and I still struggle—my mom is a baker and I think it skipped my generation. Baking and sewing skipped over me!
Happy birthday!
Thanks so much, Terri! I don’t know why, but I’ve always been terrified to make one!
Pudding cookies are my absolute favorite! I can’t wait to make some!
We make a similar cookie and my kiddos love it! Happy birthday to you and may your 25th year be a great one!
What a great list! And Happy Birthday to you!! These cookies look so delicious! I think I’m going to work on a list like that for my 28th year! I love the idea.
What a great list! I love pudding cookies. I’m coming down to 40 in a few years, and I’m not looking forward to that, lol. And pie crust is easy. The secret is to use a food processor. I used to be scared of them, too. Then, I discovered making it in the food processor.
Numbers don’t matter. What matters is who you’re with and how much fun you’re having! I like your list. You’ll have fun with that, and that’s what matters!
These look like the perfect cookies. I love your photos too!
Oh wow, those cookies sure do look amazing! Pudding cookies are my all time favorite!
Hi! I just want to say that someone recommended me your recipe, and it really turned out spectacular! I had to do it by hand though and it was *really* difficult. I never realised that pudding-cookie batter can get *so* stiff, but in the end it really paid off. The cookies were very chewy and thick–but next time I’ll be buying an electric mixer before I do it again!
That’s wonderful, I’m so glad you enjoyed them! Yes, you definitely was a stand mixer for any of my pudding cookie recipes, you can definitely do it by hand like you did, but it’s a lot of work. Thanks so much for stopping by to share your feedback and I hope you make them again and again and enjoy some of my other pudding cookie recipes!
These look delicious! One question: do you make the pudding or just use the powder?
Just the dry pudding mix!
Oooh these look yummy and my birthday is tomorrow, just in time! And I love your 25 list, especially #24 and #25!
This was a fabulous post and I cannot wait to try these cookies for myself! You are about two years older than me, but I want to congratulate you on what you have accomplished so far. I am no where near buying a home. Do you have a post on your tips for buying a home in your twenties? Can’t wait to read about your adventures that you have planned. Have a great week!
Thanks so much for stopping by and for your sweet comment. I didn’t have a post about buying a home, but since you mentioned it, I wrote one! I hope it’s helpful! http://www.sugarandsoul.co/2015/02/10-tips-for-millennial-home-buyers.html
Can’t wait to see this party! And what a fun list. I love it. Thanks for sharing on Found & Foraged!
Enjoy 25 because you WILL blink and be 40! I will say that I had my children when I was younger! I, like you, was VERY accomplished by 25 and also felt 40 at the time! Life gets better with age and maturity!
Happy Birthday!
Thanks, Jenny! I can’t help but feel like it’s just going to pass me by, so I’ve just got to embrace and enjoy it!
Happy 25th! Love the cookies. I might be making those for my own birthday this year (I’m at the age where I don’t name the number anymore 🙂 ). Thank you for linking up at the This Is How We Roll Thursday party!
These are the happiest cookies I’ve ever seen! Happy Birthday (oh, to be 25 again)! Thanks for linking up at Best of the Weekend! Pinning this!
Thank you, Amy! I need to make them again soon! So yummy!
I adore the bright colors and fun that you’ve infused in these cookies! Love your list of 25 <3 It's what kept me reading. Thanks for linking these up with Mouthwatering Mondays. These cookies are one of this week's featured recipes! Have a delicious week xx Rachel
Thanks so much for stopping by and featuring my cookies, Rachel! I’m slowly working on that list but am finally getting closer to crossing some stuff off!
I love this post!!! 🙂 I’m actually about to hit the BIG 3 – 0 this year O.o But you know what–I’m actually just fine with it (even though I’m still one of those people to whom 30 just sounds OLD!!!) And also a word of happy–I’ve seen more of the world after I had kids than before, so although having wee ones complicates life in the best way possible, it absolutely doesn’t mean you have to stop living it–for you AND them! <3
This is just what I need for my daughters birthday on Sunday! She will be so excited when she sees these in the morning! Thanks for the recipe. Pinned!
How soft does the butter have to be before you cream it with the sugars?
Hi Tiffany! It should sit at room temp for an hour or so and it should be soft enough that it whips instead of crumbles. You can slice it into table spoons and put it in a bowl to help it soften faster.
These cookies look fantastic – so pretty. I’m sure my daughter will love something like this for her birthday on the 28th.
I love making life lists, it reminds me there are so many wonderful possibilities to experience. I hope you’re having success and enjoying each and every item on your list.
[…] Newman recommend these cookies. Gluten free. Bigfoot […]