Gourmet Yourself: Neiman's Cookie Myth Busted!

Contrary to popular belief, this recipe won't cost you one red cent

Rumor has it, this recipe is worth $250.  Some might even say $500. 

But they’re just that – rumors.

The tale of the Neiman Marcus Cookie Recipe is a “golden oldie of an urban legend”, according to Snopes.com.  Always passed on from a “friend of a friend”, it arrives in our hands (or inboxes) by way of a convoluted tale of misunderstanding and revenge.

To make a long story short, the “friend” in question has usually just dined at one of Neiman’s in-store cafés, where he or she fell in love at first bite with a gourmet chocolate chip cookie.  After requesting the recipe, an unexpected fee of $250 is said to have been added to the bill for the meal.  Shocked and appalled, the friend then decides to give away the recipe anyone and everyone as payback for the incident.

No matter which version of this old wives’ tale you’ve heard, it’s all a bunch of chocolate chip frippery.  Even Neiman Marcus will tell you so.  “If you haven't heard the story, we won't perpetuate it here,” reads a message on the retailer’s website.  “If you have, the recipe below should serve to refute it.”

We’ve provided both Neiman’s own recipe and another popular version making the rounds here today.  They’re absolutely free, but they taste like a million bucks.

Neiman Marcus Cookie Recipe
(Version #1)


1 cup butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
2 ½ cups blended oatmeal (measure oatmeal, then blend to a fine powder in a food processor)
½ tsp. salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
12 oz. chocolate chips
4 oz. milk chocolate candy bar, grated
1 ½ cups chopped nuts
 
1.  Cream butter and both sugars, then blend in eggs and vanilla. 

2.  Combine flour, oatmeal, salt, baking powder and baking soda in a separate bowl, then gently combine with the wet ingredients.  Stir in chocolate chips, candy bar and nuts.
 
3.  Drop by large, rounded spoonfuls two inches apart on a greased cookie sheet.  Bake for 12-14 minutes at 375°.  Makes 3 dozen cookies.

Neiman Marcus Cookie Recipe
(Version #2)


½ cup butter, softened

1 cup light brown sugar
3 tbsp. granulated sugar
1 egg
2 tsp. vanilla
1 ¾ cups flour
½ tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
1 ½ tsp. instant espresso powder
1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

1.  Cream butter and both sugars, then blend in eggs and vanilla.

2.  In a separate bowl, sift together the dry ingredients.  Beat the dry mixture into the butter mixture, then stir in espresso powder and chocolate chips.

3.  Using a 2 tbsp. measure, drop cookie dough onto a greased cookie sheet about 3 inches apart.  Gently press the dough with the back of a spoon to spread into a circle.  Bake for 20 minutes at 300°.  Makes 2 dozen cookies.

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