Hmmmmmmm…. Chocolate Chip Cookies, Slumber Parties and Coca Cola from the soda fountain!
Bobby Sox and poodle skirts and scarves tied loosely around my neck!
All great memories, but the soft, oooey-goooey chocolate chip cookie is probably my favorite memory growing up.
Perhaps you have heard of the Myth of the $250.00 Cookie Recipe, and if you haven’t, I am about to tell you!
Several years ago, I posted this famous Neiman Marcus Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe and last week, when a friend asked me if I had the recipe….I had to smile.
Of course I had the recipe, as do many, many people….but what many do not know is the “legend” or “urban myth” regarding this cookie recipe.
So, I am repeating my story about the chocolate chip cookie recipe from Neiman Marcus and it does not cost anybody anything…..
……. except maybe the trip to the store for the ingredients if needed, and the time it takes to make this delicious cookie.
Of course Neiman Marcus exclaimed the story was false and published the Neiman Marcus Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe, but as with all those run-a-way emails, the story was immensely popular.
And the thought of getting a recipe for free with the popular email …only played into the rumor also.
But please keep reading because there is a twist to this story.
The Clarification Explanation!
An urban myth is a modern folk tale, its origins unknown, its believability enhanced simply by the frequency with which it is repeated. Our signature chocolate chip cookie is the subject of one such myth. If you haven’t heard the story, we’ll put an end to it here. If you have, the recipe below should serve to refute it. Copy it, print it, or pass it along to friends and family. It’s a terrific recipe. And it’s absolutely free.
The Myth of The $250 Cookie Recipe…
A woman and her daughter had just finished a salad at Neiman-Marcus Cafe in Dallas and decided to have a small dessert. Because her family was had such a love for cookies they decided to try the “Neiman-Marcus Cookie.” It was so excellent that the customer asked if NM would share the recipe, and the waitress said with a small frown, “I’m afraid not.” The customer then asked if she could buy the recipe. With a cute smile, the waitress replied, “yes” and said the recipe would cost “two fifty.” The customer requested that it be added to her tab.
Thirty days later, the customer received her credit card statement from Neiman-Marcus and it was $285.00. She had only spent $9.95 for two salads and about $20.00 for a scarf, but noticed that at the bottom of the statement, it said, “Cookie Recipe – $250.00.” The customer was upset and called Neiman’s Accounting Department stating that the waitress said the recipe was “two fifty,” and not $250.00. She asked them to take back the recipe and reduce the bill. The Accounting Department said they were sorry for the inconvenience but that the customer’s bill would remain as charged because they wanted the recipe to be something that was special and not afforded by all.
The woman decided to share the cookie recipe with the world so that no one would ever have to pay $250.00.
The twist?
As with all things gossiped about…the story, or in this case the ingredients have changed a bit.
The recipe below claims to be the original cookie recipe, but it does not have espresso coffee powder and it includes rolled oats.
Neiman Marcus Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe!
- 2½ cups rolled oats
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
- 4 ounces milk chocolate, grated or finely chopped
- 1½ cups chopped walnuts
DIRECTIONS:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line three baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Blend the oats in a food processor or blender to a fine powder. In a medium bowl, whisk together the blended oats with the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; set aside.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together the butter and both sugars until light and fluffy, 3-4 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and beat in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla extract. Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the flour mixture, beating just until incorporated. With a rubber spatula, fold in the chocolate chips, grated chocolate and walnuts.
- Roll the dough into 2-ounce balls (or about 2 heaping tablespoonfuls worth) and place about 2 inches apart on the baking sheets. Bake one sheet at a time until the edges are set but the center still looks undone, about 10 minutes. Cool the cookies completely on the baking sheets. The cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days (they can also be frozen for up to 2 months).
Below is supposedly the original recipe for the Neiman Marcus Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe that appeared on their web page many years ago. It does not include ground oats, but does include instant espresso coffee powder!
Sigh! Even the rumors have rumors!
Surprise!
Which ever recipe you enjoy! They are both free…with Neiman Marcus’ consent.
Is your Neiman Marcus Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe different from the two recipes here?
- ½ cup (one stick) butter, softened
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 ½ teaspoons instant espresso coffee powder
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in the work bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.
- Beat on medium speed for about 30 seconds, until the mixture is fluffy.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla for 30 seconds longer, until well combined.
- In a mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add to the mixer, while beating on slow speed.,
- Beat for about 15 seconds, stir in the chocolate chips and espresso powder, and mix for 15 seconds longer.
- Prepare a cookie sheet with about 2 tablespoons of shortening (or use a non-stick spray).
- Using a 1-ounce scoop, or using a 2 tablespoon measure, drop the cookie dough onto the cookie sheet in dollops about 3 inches apart.
- Gently press down on the dough with the back of a spoon to spread out into 2-inch circles; there should be room on the sheet of six or eight cookies at a time.
- Transfer to the oven in batches and bake for about 20 minutes or until the cookies are nicely browned around the edges.
- Bake for a little longer for crispier cookies. (about 2 minutes)
- Makes about 2 dozen cookies
Please comment, I'd love to hear from you.