Chocolate Chip Pistachio Cookies

3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup butter

1 cup white sugar

2 eggs

2 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 cup chopped walnuts

1 (3 ounce) package instant pistachio pudding mix

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup white chocolate chips

1/3 cup confectioners' sugar for decoration

1 Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease cookie sheets.

2 Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt, set aside. In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Add the eggs, milk and vanilla, stirring after each addition. Add the dry ingredients and mix until a stiff dough forms. Separate 1/4 of the dough form the rest and set aside in a small bowl. Add the nuts to the dough in the small bowl. Add the pudding mix and 3/4 cup of chocolate chips to the large portion of dough; mix until blended.

3 Roll the pudding flavored dough into walnut sized balls, and place them 1 1/2 inches apart on the prepared cookie sheets. Flatten the balls using your hand or the bottom of a glass dipped in sugar. Roll the dough from the small bowl into marble sized balls, place 1 ball on top of each of the flattened cookies. Then, on top of each cookie, place 1 of the white chocolate chips.

4 Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until cookies are set. Remove from the baking sheet to cool on wire racks. When cool, dust with confectioners' sugar if desired.

AUTHOR: Marla