Discover the Ultimate ‘Better Than’ Neiman Marcus Cookies: A Grated Chocolate Oatmeal Recipe You’ll Love
Prepare yourself for a cookie experience that’s truly extraordinary! These “Better Than” Neiman Marcus Cookies redefine what an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie can be. Imagine a symphony of flavors and textures in every bite: thick, chewy oatmeal, rich chocolate, and a delightful hint of nuts. What makes them truly stand out is the ingenious addition of grated dark chocolate, which melts into the dough, infusing every morsel with an intense, luxurious chocolate flavor that chocolate chip cookies alone simply can’t achieve. This isn’t just a recipe; it’s an invitation to create a legendary dessert that everyone will adore. And the best part? Unlike the fabled original, this incredible recipe is absolutely FREE for you to enjoy and share!
These “Better Than” Neiman Marcus Cookies are, without a doubt, the most exquisite oatmeal chocolate chip cookies you will ever bake. The recipe is surprisingly straightforward, yielding results that are nothing short of phenomenal. They boast a perfect balance of tenderness and chewiness, with the robust flavor of oats complementing the rich chocolate beautifully. Whip up a batch (or two!) and delight your friends and family with these exceptional treats. Just remember, the joy is in the sharing, not in charging a mythical sum for the recipe!
The Enduring Legend of the Neiman Marcus Cookies
You might already be familiar with the captivating urban legend surrounding the origin of the Neiman Marcus cookies recipe. It’s a tale that adds an extra layer of intrigue to these already famous cookies. For those who haven’t heard it, the story typically goes something like this: A customer at a Neiman Marcus restaurant was so enchanted by a cookie she had for dessert that she asked her waitress for the recipe. When told it would cost “two-fifty,” she readily agreed, assuming it meant $2.50. It was only later, upon receiving her bill, that she discovered she had been charged a staggering $250 for the recipe! Feeling wronged by the misunderstanding, the woman purportedly decided to “get even” by widely distributing the recipe across the internet to anyone and everyone, ensuring that no one else would have to pay such an exorbitant price. While this charming narrative is widely considered a delightful piece of folklore, it undeniably fueled the fame of these cookies and cemented their status as a coveted, must-try dessert. Imagine the outrage, and then the subsequent triumph, of sharing such a “valuable” secret!
What Makes These Neiman Marcus Cookies So Irresistible?
At their core, Neiman Marcus cookies are a lavish twist on the classic oatmeal cookie, crafted with a thoughtful blend of oats, flour, and an generous amount of chocolate and nuts. Our enhanced version, carefully reduced from the original’s enormous yield of 112 cookies, focuses on delivering an optimal texture, moisture, and flavor profile in every single bite. We’ve refined the quantities to make it more manageable for home baking, allowing you to enjoy these decadent cookies without ending up with an overwhelming mountain of them (unless that’s your goal, of course!). Each cookie offers a symphony of textures—the hearty chew of oats, the satisfying melt of chocolate, and the delightful crunch of walnuts—making them a truly exceptional indulgence. The grated dark chocolate, specifically, sets this recipe apart, as it disperses finely throughout the dough, creating a more integrated and profound chocolate flavor than mere chips alone can provide.
Key Ingredients for Our ‘Better Than’ Neiman Marcus Cookies
Crafting these extraordinary cookies requires a selection of high-quality ingredients, each playing a crucial role in achieving the perfect texture and flavor:
- Butter: We use ½ cup (one stick) of unsalted butter to provide that essential rich, creamy flavor that forms the foundation of a truly delicious cookie. Butter contributes significantly to the cookie’s aroma and overall indulgence.
- Shortening: To complement the butter’s flavor and enhance the cookie’s texture, ½ cup of butter-flavored shortening is incorporated into our dough. Shortening helps create a tender crumb and prevents the cookies from spreading too much, ensuring a wonderfully thick result.
- Sugars: A combination of 1 cup of packed dark brown sugar and 1 cup of granulated white sugar is key. Brown sugar adds moisture and a deep, molasses-like flavor, contributing to the chewy texture. Granulated sugar provides crispness around the edges and sweetness.
- Eggs: Two large eggs serve as the primary binder in our cookies, ensuring all the ingredients are well-integrated and contributing to the structure and richness of the dough.
- Vanilla Extract: A teaspoon of good quality vanilla extract is essential for enhancing and harmonizing all the flavors. For an even more profound taste, consider using a pure vanilla extract.
- Milk: A ½ cup of milk adds extra moisture to the dough, helping to create a softer, more tender cookie that stays fresh longer.
- Old Fashioned Oats: We’ll need 2 ½ cups of old-fashioned oats. The magic here is that these oats are finely ground, which gives the cookies a unique texture that’s still chewy but less coarse than whole oats, making them truly special.
- All-Purpose Flour: Two cups of all-purpose flour form the structural backbone of our cookie dough, providing the necessary body and consistency.
- Salt: ½ teaspoon of salt might seem small, but it’s vital for balancing the sweetness and intensifying the rich flavors of the chocolate and nuts.
- Leavening Agents: A combination of 1 teaspoon of baking powder and 1 ½ teaspoons of baking soda ensures these cookies achieve a perfect rise and a wonderfully airy-yet-chewy internal structure.
- Chocolate: The star of the show! We use 2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips for classic bursts of melty chocolate, alongside one chopped 4-ounce dark chocolate bar. The grated dark chocolate melts more evenly throughout the dough, distributing its intense flavor into every single bite.
- Walnuts: 1 ½ cups of chopped walnuts add a delightful crunch and a subtle earthy, nutty flavor that beautifully complements the oats and chocolate, adding another layer of complexity to these already amazing cookies.
How to Make Our ‘Better Than’ Neiman Marcus Cookies
Follow these simple steps to bake a batch of the most incredible oatmeal chocolate chip cookies:
- Cream Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and both brown and granulated sugars until light and fluffy. This aerates the mixture, contributing to a tender cookie. Stir in the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract until well combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: Using a blender or food processor, finely grind the old-fashioned oats. This unique step is what gives these cookies their signature texture, a departure from traditional chunky oatmeal cookies. In a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk together the ground oats, all-purpose flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; overmixing can develop the gluten too much, resulting in tough cookies.
- Add Inclusions: Using a microplane grater, finely grate the dark chocolate bar directly into the dough. This ensures the chocolate melts and spreads throughout the cookies for an even, intense flavor. Add the semi-sweet chocolate chips and chopped walnuts. Mix gently until all inclusions are evenly distributed.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for a minimum of 24 hours. This crucial chilling period is essential for flavor development and optimal cookie texture.
- Preheat and Prepare: Once the dough is properly chilled, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This prevents sticking and ensures even baking.
- Scoop and Bake: Drop the chilled cookie dough by heaping spoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie to allow for spreading.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake for approximately 10 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are still slightly soft. Remove from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy the warm, freshly baked goodness!
“Better Than” Neiman Marcus Cookie Recipe
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Ingredients
- ½ cups butter
- ½ cups butter flavored shortening
- 1 cup dark brown sugar packed
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ cup milk
- 2 ½ cups old fashioned oats
- 2 cups flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 4 ounce dark chocolate bar grated
- 1 ½ cups chopped walnuts
Instructions
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Cream together butter and both sugars. Stir in eggs, milk and vanilla.
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Finely grind oats in a blender or food processor. Combine the oats, flour, salt, baking powder and soda in a medium bowl, and slowly add it to the wet ingredients. Beat just until combined. Grate chocolate bar using a microplane grater and add it, along with chocolate chips and nuts to the batter. Mix just to combine.
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Cover bowl & refrigerate dough for 24 hours.
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Heat oven to 375°F. Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper & set aside.
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Drop by heaping tablespoonfuls, 2 inches apart, on a greased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack and enjoy!
Notes
Place them in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Nutrition
The Undeniable Magic of Chilling Cookie Dough
You might be tempted to skip the 24-hour chill time, but trust us, this step is absolutely non-negotiable for achieving the truly “better than” quality of these Neiman Marcus cookies. The longer the dough chills in the refrigerator, the more the flavors have time to meld and deepen. This process allows the flour to fully hydrate, resulting in a more tender and cohesive cookie structure. Crucially, chilling also solidifies the fats (butter and shortening), which prevents the cookies from spreading too rapidly in the oven. This means you’ll get thicker, chewier cookies with a more concentrated flavor. While you *could* technically bake the dough after a shorter chill, or even no chill, giving it the full recommended 24 hours will yield cookies that are dramatically more incredible in both taste and texture. Your patience will be generously rewarded with a truly gourmet cookie experience.
Storage and Freezing Tips for Your Delicious Cookies
Once baked, these delightful Neiman Marcus cookies will remain wonderfully fresh for up to 5 days. To ensure they maintain their incredible texture and flavor, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. This protects them from drying out and keeps them soft and chewy. If you’ve made a large batch or simply want to savor them over a longer period, these cookies are also excellent for freezing. Place them in an airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag, and they can be frozen for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply thaw the cookies at room temperature for an hour or two before serving. You can even warm them slightly in the microwave for that fresh-from-the-oven feel!
More Cookie Recipes You’ll Absolutely Love
If you’re a fan of baking and love experimenting with new flavors, be sure to explore some of our other fantastic cookie recipes. From classic comfort to unique delights, there’s always something new to discover:
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- PEANUT BUTTER COOKIE BITES – Tiny explosions of peanut butter goodness.
- BREAKFAST CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES – A slightly healthier twist on a classic, great for a quick morning bite.
- EASY BUTTERSCOTCH COOKIES – Simple to make, with a rich, caramelly flavor.
- LEMON THUMBPRINT COOKIES – Zesty and bright, with a sweet lemon filling.
- WHITE CHOCOLATE MACADAMIA NUT COOKIES – A beloved combination of creamy white chocolate and crunchy nuts.
- SNICKERDOODLE COOKIE BARS – All the cinnamon-sugar delight of snickerdoodles in an easy-to-share bar form.
- LEMON MELTAWAY COOKIES – Delicately soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookies with a lovely citrus tang.
- BUTTER PECAN COOKIES – Rich, buttery cookies studded with crunchy pecans.
- RASPBERRY CHEESECAKE COOKIES – A delightful fusion of fruity and creamy cheesecake flavors.
- EGGLESS OATMEAL CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES – A delicious option for those with egg allergies or dietary preferences.
- VANILLA MELTAWAY COOKIES – Pure vanilla bliss in a tender, crumbly cookie.
- CHOCOLATE SUGAR COOKIES – A cocoa-rich twist on the classic sugar cookie, perfect for decorating.
- CREAM CHEESE SUGAR COOKIES – Incredibly soft and chewy sugar cookies with a hint of tangy cream cheese.
- STRAWBERRY COOL WHIP COOKIES – Light, airy, and bursting with strawberry flavor.
You are truly going to fall in love with these “Better Than” Neiman Marcus Cookies. With the perfect combination of rich grated chocolate, satisfying oats, crunchy walnuts, and a tender, chewy texture in every delightful bite, you’ll have an instant favorite on your hands. This recipe is not just a cookie; it’s an experience that delivers gourmet quality straight from your kitchen. Be prepared for requests for more!