The Neiman Marcus Cookie Recipe

If you’ve ever wished for a cookie that perfectly balances rich chocolate, nutty crunch, and a chewy, buttery crumb, then you absolutely need to try The Neiman Marcus Cookie Recipe. This legendary blend of oats, bittersweet chocolate, and chunks of Hershey’s bars has captured hearts for decades, offering a lush texture and decadent flavors in every bite. It’s that one recipe that feels like a warm hug from a friend, effortlessly impressive yet incredibly easy to make, ensuring you’ll want to bake it again and again.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The Neiman Marcus Cookie Recipe comes together with surprisingly simple pantry staples, each chosen for a specific role in making these cookies unforgettable. From buttery richness to the perfect chocolate bite, every ingredient plays a part in creating its trademark chewy and chunky texture.

• Unsalted butter, 1 pound (454 grams): Provides a rich, creamy base that makes these cookies incredibly tender and flavorful.
• Granulated sugar, 2 cups (400 grams): Balances sweetness and helps achieve that classic cookie crunch.
• Light brown sugar, 2 cups packed (425 grams): Adds moisture and deep, caramel-like notes for perfect chewiness.
• Large eggs, 4 beaten: Bind everything together and add structure without weighing the cookies down.
• Vanilla extract, 2 teaspoons: Enhances the overall flavor and brings warmth to every bite.
• All-purpose flour, 4 cups (480 grams): The foundation of the cookie dough, providing just the right balance between softness and structure.
• Baking powder, 2 teaspoons: Helps with gentle leavening for a light, airy crumb.
• Baking soda, 2 teaspoons: Contributes to the soft texture and beautiful golden color.
• Fine sea salt, 1 teaspoon: Sublimely offsets sweetness and heightens flavor complexity.
• Old-fashioned rolled oats, 5 cups (400 grams): Gives chewiness and hearty texture that’s signature to this cookie.
• Bittersweet chocolate chips, 24 ounces (680 grams): Provides bursts of deep, rich chocolate that contrast beautifully with the oats.
• Hershey’s chocolate bars, 8 ounces (227 grams) broken into chunks: Adds gooey, melty pockets of classic milk chocolate to surprise your palate.
• Chopped walnuts or pecans, 3 cups (360 grams): Lends a satisfying crunch and nutty flavor that elevate each bite.

How to Make The Neiman Marcus Cookie Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F, placing two racks close to the center to ensure even baking. Preparation is key, and having your oven ready will set you up for success with these thick, hearty cookies.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, beat together the unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar with an electric mixer until the mixture lightens in color and gains a fluffy texture. This usually takes about 3 minutes. This crucial step aerates the butter, ensuring a soft cookie that isn’t too dense.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Next, pour in the beaten eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until everything is fully combined. The eggs add structure, while the vanilla injects a lovely aromatic depth.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and fine sea salt. This mixture ensures your cookies have just the right lift and flavor balance.

Step 5: Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients

Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a wooden spoon or silicone spatula. This will form a thick dough that’s the base for the oats and chocolate to shine.

Step 6: Add Oats, Chocolate, and Nuts

Fold in the old-fashioned rolled oats, bittersweet chocolate chips, broken Hershey’s bars, and chopped nuts. The dough will become very thick – that’s exactly how it should be for these dense, chewy cookies full of surprises.

Step 7: Shape and Bake

Using your hands or spoons, form the dough into loose mounds about the size of a golf ball. Arrange them two inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets to allow room for spreading. Bake for 8 to 9 minutes until the tops start to turn golden but the centers remain soft – this prevents overbaking and preserves that perfect chew.

Step 8: Cool and Enjoy

Once baked, transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool at least slightly. This lets them set without losing their gooey charm, making them ready to enjoy!

How to Serve The Neiman Marcus Cookie Recipe

Garnishes

While these cookies are fantastic straight from the oven, a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top adds a gourmet touch that enhances their complex flavors. For a sweeter spin, dusting them with a little powdered sugar right before serving can add an elegant look and soft sweetness.

Side Dishes

The Neiman Marcus Cookie Recipe pairs wonderfully with a tall glass of cold milk or a frothy latte. If you want an indulgent dessert plate, serve alongside vanilla ice cream or drizzle with warm caramel sauce for an unforgettable treat.

Creative Ways to Present

You can elevate presentation by stacking the cookies with ribbons for gifts or placing them in a decorative jar layered with parchment paper. Another charming idea is to sandwich softened cream cheese frosting between two cookies for an irresistible cookie sandwich variation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Place leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them soft and chewy for up to one week. Adding a slice of bread inside the container helps maintain moisture and keeps the cookies fresh longer.

Freezing

You can freeze these cookies for up to three months. Just freeze them spread out on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a sealed freezer bag once solid to prevent sticking. Thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy.

Reheating

For the best experience, warm your cookies in the oven at 300°F for 5 to 7 minutes or briefly in the microwave for about 10 seconds. This revives their soft texture and melts the chocolate chunks delightfully.

FAQs

Can I substitute the nuts in The Neiman Marcus Cookie Recipe?

Absolutely! You can use walnuts, pecans, or even almonds depending on your preference. If you have nut allergies, you can omit them entirely or swap for seeds like pumpkin or sunflower for added crunch.

Is it okay to use quick oats instead of old-fashioned oats?

Traditional old-fashioned rolled oats are best for texture in these cookies. Quick oats tend to absorb more moisture and can result in a different, less chewy texture, but you can use them in a pinch.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, the dough can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking. This can actually improve the flavor as the ingredients meld together. Just shape and bake directly from the fridge with an extra minute or two added to baking time.

Why does this cookie use both baking powder and baking soda?

Using both leavening agents balances the rise and texture of the cookies. Baking soda helps with browning and spread, while baking powder adds lift and a light crumb. Together, they create the perfect chewiness and golden color.

Can I reduce the amount of chocolate in The Neiman Marcus Cookie Recipe?

Of course! The abundance of chocolate is part of what makes these cookies special, but you can reduce the chips and chunks to suit your taste. Just remember it will slightly alter the texture and flavor profile.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a cookie recipe to become your new favorite go-to, I can’t recommend The Neiman Marcus Cookie Recipe enough. It’s the kind of sweet that makes every bite feel like a celebration, whether you’re sharing with family or indulging yourself. Trust me, once you make these cookies, they’ll be hard to beat for comfort and decadence combined.

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