Neiman Marcus: Texas IconPic from dallasnews.com
I really suck at a schedule, don't I? Thank goodness I don't work on a schedule. Ha! Sorry for the missing Let Them Eat Cake on Friday. I was solo parenting from Thursday through Sunday and things just slipped through the cracks. Like blogging.
To make up for missing Friday and in honor of the outrageously wonderful tin of Neiman Marcus Chocolate Chip Cookies sitting out on my kitchen island, today's FoodieLicious item is a double recipe treat!
I heart the Chocolate Chip Cookies sold at Neiman Marcus at Christmas time. They come in a lovely tin with the NM logo. But inside the tin is pure wonderfulness. We usually receive a box at Christmas from my Godmother, and I have to admit that I usually eat the most cookies!
Anyway, years and years ago, you might remember the funny, although rather incredulous tale of the Neiman Marcus cookie recipe. I think I received the recipe by email at least 14 years ago, so it's been out there a long time. Obviously, if you've ever shopped at Neiman Marcus or even just thought about the story for a bit, it wouldn't take very long to realize that the story is false. The cookie recipe was great though! I especially liked the addition of oatmeal as an ingredient.
Neiman Marcus only recently started selling a "Neiman Marcus Chocolate Chip Cookie," no doubt because of the persistent urban myth! And I'm so glad they do! Although I do know the recipes for both the 'fake' cookie and the 'real' one, and like them both, it's such a treat to receive a box full of them during the holidays.
For those of you who don't have a tin at home (and can't buy them until winter holidays roll around again), here are both recipes to enjoy:
Neiman Marcus Cookie Recipe
from my email files, circa 1996
2 cups butter
4 cups flour
2 tsp. soda
2 cups sugar
5 cups blended oatmeal
24 oz. chocolate chips
2 cups brown sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 8 oz. Hershey Bar (grated)
4 eggs
2 tsp. baking powder
3 cups chopped nuts (your choice)
2 tsp. vanilla
- Measure oatmeal and blend in a blender to a fine powder. Cream the butter and both sugars.
- Add eggs and vanilla; mix together with flour, oatmeal, salt, baking powder, and soda.
- Add chocolate chips, Hershey Bar and nuts.
- Roll into balls and place two inches apart on a cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minutes at 375 degrees.
Image from Google ImagesThe "Real" Neiman Marcus Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
(from NeimanMarcus.com, absolutely free!)
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1 cup light brown sugar
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1-3/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 teaspoons instant espresso coffee powder
1-1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Cream the butter with the sugars using an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy (approximately 30 seconds)
2. Beat in the egg and the vanilla extract for another 30 seconds.
3. In a mixing bowl, sift together the dry ingredients and beat into the butter mixture at low speed for about 15 seconds. Stir in the espresso coffee powder and chocolate chips.
4. Using a 1 ounce scoop or a 2 tablespoon measure, drop cookie dough onto a greased cookie sheet about 3 inches apart. Gently press down on the dough with the back of a spoon to spread out into a 2 inch circle. Bake for about 20 minutes or until nicely browned around the edges. Bake a little longer for a crispier cookie.
Yield: 2 dozen cookies
