Soft and Chewy M&M Chocolate Chip Cookies

1/2 cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature, 1 stick

1/4 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup packed light brown sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup and 3/4 to 2 cups all-purpose flour

1 3.5 oz instant vanilla pudding mix

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

3/4 cup red and green M&M's

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Line a baking sheet parchment paper. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, cream butter for 30 seconds. Add both sugars and beat for 3 minutes, until light and fluffy.
Add egg and vanilla and mix until well incorporated.
In another mixing bowl, whisk together flour, pudding mix, soda and salt.
Add the dry ingredients to the butter sugar mixture and mix with an electric mixer until almost incorporated. Switch to a rubber spatula or a wooden spoon, add chocolate chips and M&M's (reserving some) and stir in until well mixed.
Scoop the cookie dough with a medium (1 and 1/2 tablespoon) cookie scoop. Roll into balls and place on prepared cookie sheet, spacing them 2" apart.
Press reserved chocolate chips and M&M's onto the balls.
Bake cookies for 9 to 11 minutes. Cool for 2 minutes on the sheet, then transfer onto a cooling rack to cool completely.