Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your cookies bake evenly.
Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper to help prevent the cookies from sticking.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, packed brown sugar, granulated sugar, and pure vanilla extract until smooth.
Stir in the zest of one whole lemon and the large egg. Mix until well combined.
In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, instant pudding mix (or cornstarch), and salt. Whisk until well mixed.
Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
Gently fold in the white chocolate chips, distributing them evenly throughout the cookie dough.
Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared cookie sheet.
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers are still soft.
Cool the cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.
