Neiman Marcus Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

I have really amazing memories of baking with my aunt. Her kitchen always smelled of warm sugar, cinnamon, and love. On weekends, she’d invite me to help her make her signature chocolate chip cookies. The process was always filled with laughter and the feeling of connection. But there was one particular time when she shared a secret with me—she claimed to have found the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe. She explained that it was a popular story, one that originated from the famed department store Neiman Marcus. As a young baker, I was intrigued. She told me the story of the Neiman Marcus chocolate chip cookie recipe, and it has stuck with me ever since. In this guide, we’ll explore the legend behind these iconic cookies, step-by-step instructions for making them, and much more. So let’s dive into this sweet journey!

The Origin of the Neiman Marcus Cookie Story

The Neiman Marcus chocolate chip cookie recipe has captured the hearts of many for decades, largely due to the urban legend that accompanies it. The story goes that a woman visited the Neiman Marcus café in Dallas, Texas, and after enjoying a delicious chocolate chip cookie, she asked for the recipe. The employee at the café refused to share it. After some persistence, the woman was quoted a price of “two-fifty,” which she assumed was $2.50. However, when she received her credit card bill, she found that the actual charge was $250, which she later discovered was the price for the cookie recipe.

The woman, furious over the exorbitant price, decided to share the recipe with the public. It was said to be published in a Dallas newspaper, and soon, people were baking the “Neiman Marcus cookie” in their homes, across the nation. This legend fueled the cookie’s popularity and established it as a baking staple for many.

How the Neiman Marcus Cookie Recipe Became a Classic

The Recipe’s Evolution Over Time

Although the Neiman Marcus cookie recipe’s origins lie in a myth, its evolution into a beloved classic is a story of its own. Once it hit the public domain, the recipe began circulating across the internet, cookbooks, and family kitchens. Its simple yet rich ingredients resonated with many home bakers who found it easy to replicate yet impressively delicious.

Over time, the recipe gained a cult following, with variations cropping up across different families and bakeries. While the official version may have been published by Neiman Marcus itself, many others modified it to suit personal tastes, making their own tweaks in terms of chocolate types or nut inclusions. As the years passed, more and more people passed the recipe down through generations, ensuring its place as a cherished family tradition.

Neiman Marcus’s Official Response

After the myth surrounding the $250 charge gained widespread attention, Neiman Marcus made sure to respond to the tale. They clarified that no such transaction had ever occurred, and the cookie recipe had never been sold by the café. Despite the myth being untrue, Neiman Marcus did embrace the recipe’s popularity. They even released an official version of the cookie recipe to share with the public, acknowledging its place in American baking lore.

The store’s decision to provide the recipe served as a nod to the community and to honor the iconic cookie’s place in popular culture. Whether or not the story was accurate, the recipe itself was worth sharing. It became a source of pride for Neiman Marcus, cementing its role in the history of American cookies.

Ingredients You’ll Need For Neiman Marcus Chocolate Chip Cookies

Making the Neiman Marcus chocolate chip cookie requires a few key ingredients that work together to create the perfect balance of flavors and textures. The full list includes:

• 1 cup salted butter (room temperature): Using room-temperature butter ensures the batter is smooth and evenly mixed.
• 1 cup packed dark brown sugar: Brown sugar adds moisture and a deeper flavor to the cookies.
• 1 cup granulated sugar: The granulated sugar helps the cookies crisp up nicely around the edges.
• 2 large eggs: Eggs provide structure and richness to the dough.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: A high-quality vanilla extract enhances the cookie’s flavor.
• 2 ½ cups old-fashioned oats: The oats provide chewiness and texture.
• 2 cups all-purpose flour: Flour is essential for the structure of the cookies.
• ½ teaspoon salt: The salt helps balance the sweetness.
• 1 teaspoon baking soda: Baking soda aids in leavening, allowing the cookies to spread evenly.
• 1 teaspoon baking powder: Baking powder gives the cookies a light, fluffy texture.
• 4 ounces milk chocolate Hershey bar: Grating a Hershey bar into the dough adds creamy milk chocolate chunks.
• 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips: The semi-sweet chocolate chips bring rich, bittersweet flavor to each bite.
• 1 ½ cups chopped walnuts: Walnuts add a delightful crunch and flavor.

Milk Chocolate vs. Semi-Sweet Chocolate

A critical debate in the world of chocolate chip cookies is whether to use milk chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate. For Neiman Marcus cookies, the recipe calls for both: milk chocolate Hershey bars and semi-sweet chocolate chips. This combination creates a perfect balance between sweetness and richness.

• Milk chocolate offers a creamy, sweet flavor that contrasts beautifully with the rich bitterness of the semi-sweet chocolate chips. The latter provides a more robust chocolate flavor, ensuring the cookies are not overly sweet. By combining both types of chocolate, the cookies achieve an ideal flavor balance—sweet, rich, and indulgent.

Instructions of Making Neiman Marcus Chocolate Chip Cookies

Now that you have your ingredients ready, let’s dive into the step-by-step process to make Neiman Marcus chocolate chip cookies:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats for easy cleanup.
2. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the room-temperature butter, dark brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. This should take about 3 minutes with an electric mixer.
3. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Beat the mixture until fully combined, scraping the sides of the bowl to ensure even mixing.
4. Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the oats, flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Do not to overmix, as this could lead to dry and tough cookies.
6. Add Chocolate and Walnuts: Chop the milk chocolate Hershey bar into small chunks and fold it, along with the chocolate chips and walnuts, into the dough.
7. Scoop and Bake: Use a cookie scoop to drop dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing the cookies about 2 inches apart. Bake for about 10 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
8. Cool and Serve: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips for Perfect Neiman Marcus Cookies Every Time

The Importance of Room Temperature Ingredients

One of the most critical tips for making Neiman Marcus chocolate chip cookies is to ensure that your butter and eggs are at room temperature. This simple step is essential for achieving the right texture. Cold butter can lead to clumpy dough, while room-temperature butter incorporates more evenly, resulting in a smoother dough. Room-temperature eggs also blend more effectively, preventing a lumpy texture.

Avoiding Overmixing and Overbaking

When it comes to mixing, it’s essential not to overmix the dough. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies. Mix the dough only until the dry ingredients are just incorporated to keep your cookies soft and tender. Additionally, avoid overbaking. Remove the cookies from the oven as soon as the edges turn golden, but before the centers are fully firm. This ensures they stay soft and chewy on the inside.

How to Store Neiman Marcus Cookies for Freshness

To keep your cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. If you prefer to extend their shelf life, they can also be frozen for several months. Simply place the cookies in a freezer-safe bag or container, and they will retain their soft texture even after being thawed.

Neiman Marcus Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

---

• Author: Jessica kimberly
• Total Time: 25minutes
• Yield: 36 Cookies

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Neiman Marcus chocolate chip cookie recipe with step-by-step instructions, tips, and variations for the perfect cookie every time.

---

Ingredients

• 1 cup salted butter (room temperature)
• 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups old-fashioned oats
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 4 ounces milk chocolate Hershey bark
• 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 ½ cups chopped walnuts

---

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• Cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar.
• Mix in eggs and vanilla extract.
• Gradually add in the dry ingredients, mixing until combined.
• Fold in the chocolate chips and walnuts.
• Scoop dough onto a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes.

Notes

For softer cookies, do not overbake. Remove them from the oven when the edges are golden but the centers are still soft.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cookie
• Calories: 150 calories per cookie
• Sugar: 15g
• Fat: 50mg
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 10mg

Keywords: Neiman Marcus cookies, chocolate chip cookies, chewy cookies, best cookie recipe, walnut cookies

Creative Variations of the Neiman Marcus Cookie Recipe

For those with dietary restrictions, it is possible to make gluten-free and dairy-free versions of the Neiman Marcus cookie. By substituting gluten-free flour and dairy-free chocolate, you can still enjoy the rich flavors and chewy texture that make this cookie so beloved. And if you love experimenting with flavors, be sure to check out my Linzer Cookies or Chocolate Caramel Cookies for some delicious twists on classic cookies.

FAQs

Neiman Marcus Cookies vs. Other Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipes

While traditional chocolate chip cookies are a staple in many households, the Neiman Marcus cookie recipe offers a unique twist. The addition of oats and walnuts provides an unexpected depth of flavor and texture that classic recipes often lack. The combination of milk chocolate and semi-sweet chocolate also sets this recipe apart from more traditional versions, which typically rely on semi-sweet chocolate chips alone.

Share Your Neiman Marcus Cookie Creations!

I’d love to hear how your Neiman Marcus chocolate chip cookies turned out! Share your results on Instagram by tagging me, or leave a comment below. If you have any questions, feel free to ask—I’m here to help!

Happy baking! 🍪