The weather here in Houston is so bad today, I am posting 2 recipes because it just feels like a day to cook! At least to bake big fat chocolate chip cookies!

The Neiman Marcus $250 Cookie Recipe is legend just about everywhere. Have you heard the story?

My daughter and I had just finished a salad at Neiman-Marcus Cafe in Dallas & decided to have a small dessert. Because both of us are such cookie lovers, we decided to try the “Neiman-Marcus Cookie”. It was so excellent that I asked if they would give me the recipe and the waitress said with a small frown “I’m afraid not.” Well” I said, “would you let me buy the recipe?”

With a cute smile, she said YES”. I asked how much and she responded, “Only two fifty, it’s a great deal!” I said with approval, “just add it to my tab”.. Thirty days later, I received my VISA statement from Neiman-Marcus and it was $285.00. I looked again and remembered I had only spent $9.95 for two salads and about $20.00 for a scarf. As I glanced at the bottom of the statement, it said, “Cookie Recipe – $250.00”. That’s outrageous!!!

I called Neiman’s Accounting Dept. and told them that the waitress said it was “two-fifty,” which clearly does not mean “two hundred and fifty dollars” by any POSSIBLE interpretation of the phrase. Neiman-Marcus refused to budge.. They would not refund my money, because according to them, “What the waitress told you is not our problem. You have already seen the recipe – we absolutely will not refund your money at this point.” I explained to her the criminal statutes which govern fraud in Texas. I threatened to refer them to the Better Business Bureau and the State’s Attorney General for engaging in fraud. I was basically told, “Do what you want, we dont give a damn, and we’re not refunding your money.” I waited a moment, thinking of how I could get even,or even try to get any of my money back. I just said, “Okay, you folks got my $250.00, and now I’m going to have $250.00 worth of fun.”

This story is an urban legend, but it is really a lot of fun, and the cookies just might possibly be worth $250! The trick is pulling them out BEFORE you think they are done and letting the cool for a few minutes on the cookie sheet. Then transferring them to the cooling rack or counter. Also, don’t skip the oatmeal part. I blend it up in my Vitamix or blender and it really gives them a special taste. I find that they get crumbly fast and so store them in a container quickly that is sealed! You won’t be sorry that you tried theses!

It makes a HUGE recipe, but that is O.K. you will need that many!  I do add about 1 cup of Heath bar to mine, but that is if I have it on hand! 🙂