The smell of warm butter, melting chocolate, and toasted oats fills the kitchen. Outside, Christmas lights twinkle softly against the cold night air. Inside, these Neiman Marcus Cookies bake to perfection—crisp at the edges, soft in the center, and loaded with rich chocolate. Every bite tastes like holiday joy shared with people you love most.
Table of Contents
Why This Neiman Marcus Cookie Recipe Is So Loved
This Neiman Marcus Cookie recipe is a legend in the baking world. The story goes that someone once paid $250 for it at a café and shared it so no one else would have to. True or not, these cookies are worth every bit of the hype.
They have crisp, buttery edges that give way to a gooey, chocolate-filled center. The rolled oats add a soft chew, while the mix of bittersweet chips and Hershey’s chunks brings deep flavor. It’s the kind of cookie that feels special yet homey, perfect for gifting or keeping in the freezer for those late-night cravings.
Key Ingredients & What Makes Them Special
Essential Ingredients
Butter is the base that makes these cookies tender. A mix of granulated and brown sugar adds sweetness and chew. Eggs and vanilla bring richness, while the flour, baking powder, and soda help the cookies rise just right.
The oats add structure and a comforting texture. Two types of chocolate—chips and bar chunks—create layers of flavor. Finally, nuts like walnuts or pecans add a toasty crunch that balances the sweetness.
Ingredient Notes & Swaps
You can use semi-sweet chocolate if you like a sweeter flavor. Oats should stay whole for texture; don’t grind them. Walnuts are traditional, but pecans work too. Skip the nuts entirely if you prefer. For best results, weigh your dry ingredients, especially the flour, to keep consistency in every batch.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and arranging racks in the center. In a large bowl, cream butter and both sugars until light and fluffy. This step creates air that helps your cookies stay soft inside.
Beat in eggs and vanilla until fully mixed. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add dry ingredients to the butter mixture, stirring with a wooden spoon. Then, fold in oats, chocolate chips, Hershey’s chunks, and nuts.
Scoop the dough into golf-ball-sized portions and place them about 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 8–9 minutes, until golden but still soft. Let cool on wire racks. The centers will firm up slightly as they cool, staying gooey and rich.
Pro Tips & Make-Ahead Tricks
Always spoon and level your flour to avoid dense cookies. When creaming butter and sugar, keep mixing until you see the color lighten—that’s your sign it’s aerated enough.
For fresh cookies anytime, freeze dough balls on a tray until solid, then store them in bags. Bake straight from frozen, adding just 1–2 extra minutes. You can also halve the recipe easily without changing proportions.
Storage & Freshness Guide
Keep baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 2–3 days. To freeze baked ones, let them cool, then store in layers with parchment paper for up to 3 months.
To freeze the dough, roll it into balls first. When you’re ready to bake, there’s no need to thaw. Pop them onto a sheet and bake a bit longer. You’ll get that fresh-from-the-oven taste every time.
To refresh frozen cookies, warm them in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes. The chocolate melts again, and the kitchen smells amazing.
FAQs About Neiman Marcus Cookies
Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?
You can, but rolled oats give the cookies better texture and chew. Quick oats make them softer and less structured.
Why do my cookies spread too much?
Your butter may be too soft, or the dough might be warm. Chill the dough for 20 minutes before baking if needed.
Can I make these without nuts?
Yes, you can. Just replace the nuts with extra chocolate or a handful of shredded coconut for a fun twist.
Neiman Marcus Cookie Recipe Card
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Neiman Marcus Cookie Recipe | Ultimate Christmas Favorite
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 60 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A rich and famous Neiman Marcus Cookie Recipe with crisp edges, chewy centers, and layers of chocolate flavor. Perfect for Christmas baking, sharing, or freezing.
Ingredients
1 lb (454g) unsalted butter
2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
2 cups packed (425g) light brown sugar
4 large eggs, beaten
2 tsp vanilla extract
4 cups (480g) all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp fine sea salt
5 cups (400g) old-fashioned rolled oats
24 oz (680g) bittersweet chocolate chips (e.g. Ghirardelli 60% cacao)
8 oz (227g) Hershey’s chocolate bars, broken into chunks
3 cups (360g) chopped walnuts, pecans, or both (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F with two racks near the center.
2. Cream butter and both sugars until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
3. Beat in eggs and vanilla until smooth.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
5. Combine dry ingredients with the wet mixture using a wooden spoon.
6. Stir in oats, chocolate chips, Hershey’s chunks, and nuts.
7. Form dough into golf-ball-sized mounds and place 2 inches apart on baking sheets.
8. Bake for 8–9 minutes, until golden but soft inside.
9. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
Notes
Weigh dry ingredients for accuracy.
Use rolled oats for texture; do not grind them.
For a sweeter cookie, use semi-sweet chips.
Walnuts offer the softest flavor; pecans work well too.
Omit nuts for allergies.
Recipe halves easily with no adjustments.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Christmas Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 265
- Sugar: 25
- Sodium: 85
- Fat: 15.9
- Saturated Fat: 9.5
- Unsaturated Fat: 5.2
- Trans Fat: 0.2
- Carbohydrates: 26.9
- Fiber: 2.5
- Protein: 4.1
- Cholesterol: 38
More Such Recipes
If you enjoy these Neiman Marcus Cookies, you’ll love my chocolate chip cookies made from scratch. For festive treats, try easy cherry pie cookie cups or holiday peppermint bark brownies.
Looking for something classic? My peanut butter cookies recipe never fails. Or go hearty with cowboy cookies for a hearty snack.
Final Thoughts
This Neiman Marcus Cookie recipe brings a little holiday magic to your kitchen. It’s one of those bakes that sparks conversation, laughter, and maybe even a bit of nostalgia.
Make them for your cookie swaps, share them with neighbors, or bake a batch just for yourself. Because sometimes, happiness really does come in the form of a warm, chocolate-packed cookie.
You can find more holiday recipes and share your baking photos on Pinterest or join our cozy food-loving community on Facebook.