The Real Neiman Marcus Cookie Recipe

Source: Neiman Marcus

For several years, we have heard a story about the mythical Neiman Marcus cookie recipe. We don't know how it got started or who is perpetuating the myth, but this "cookie monster" just won't die! We would never charge anyone for a Neiman Marcus recipe. We share our restaurant recipes for free upon request.

This same story circulated in the late 1930's about a lady who dined at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York. She liked the Red Velvet Cake so much she asked for the recipe. When she received her hotel bill, she had been charged $100 for the recipe. (This was during the Depression, so it seems our version of the story has been adjusted for inflation!)

Neiman Marcus never served cookies in our restaurants until recently, when we developed a new chocolate chip cookie in response to this myth! Following is the recipe (free of charge, of course.) Please feel free to share this letter and the recipe with anyone you know who may be
similarly interested in the truth behind this "cookie that won't crumble!"

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons instant espresso powder, slightly crushed
8 ounces semisweet chocolate chips

Cream the butter with the sugars until fluffy. Beat in the egg and the vanilla extract.

Combine the dry ingredients and beat into the butter mixture. Stir in the chocolate chips. Drop by large spoonsful onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees F for 8 to 10 minutes, or 10 to 12 minutes for a crispier cookie.

Makes 12 to 15 large cookies.