Preheat the oven to 350℉. Line baking sheet(s) with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, using an electric handheld mixer on medium speed, cream together the softened butter, white sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla pudding mix until combined. Add the eggs, vanilla, and peppermint extract and beat on high speed until fluffy.
Add the flour and baking soda and mix on low speed just until combined. Fold in the chocolate chips and crushed candy canes.
Scoop the dough using a medium-sized cookie scoop or a teaspoon onto the prepared baking sheet, placing each cookie 2 inches apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-12 minutes or until puffy and no longer wet-looking on top. Let cool on the baking sheets for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling. Finish baking the remaining cookies. Enjoy!
Notes
Use unsalted butter with ½ teaspoon of salt added.
You could use milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips instead of semisweet. Or use chopped chocolate.
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month.