Neiman Marcus Chocolate Chip Cookies (The Gold Standard)

There are chocolate chip cookies—and then there are Neiman Marcus Chocolate Chip Cookies. To me, this recipe has always been the gold standard. In my 72 years of baking, this cookie has never failed me: not flat, not fussy, just perfectly chewy, chocolate-packed cookies every single time.

Growing up, my Croatian grandparents and Italian in-laws mostly baked the cookies of their heritage. But when they came to America, they embraced the Toll House-style cookie as something new and celebratory. For them, this cookie represented their new country—appearing proudly alongside nut rolls, strudels, nut horns, tortes, and pitas at weddings and holidays. In fact, chocolate chip cookies stood right on the cookie tables at my parents’ wedding 73 years ago, and at mine 47 years ago, surrounded by all those old-world favorites. 💕

To this day, it’s always the first cookie to disappear from my trays. I’ve baked thousands, even dressed them up with gold leaf for weddings. No matter the occasion, these cookies are the ones people ask for again and again.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Foolproof & reliable – Never flat, never dry, always chewy.
Perfect texture – Oatmeal adds structure without tasting like oats.
Crowd-pleaser – The most requested cookie on any tray.
Heritage & history – A cookie-table classic with American roots.
Freezer-friendly – Dough and baked cookies keep beautifully.

Ingredients

2 cups butter
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 cups sugar
5 cups Old Fashioned Quaker Oats (blend to fine powder)
36 oz chocolate chips
2 cups brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
9.3 oz Hershey bar (broken into small pieces)
4 eggs
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans, chunky)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Oats

Measure the oats and blend in a blender or food processor until fine, almost like flour. This is the secret to structure without the oatmeal taste.

Step 2: Make the Dough

Cream together butter, sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. In a separate bowl, mix flour, blended oats, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Gradually combine the dry ingredients with the wet mixture on low speed—don’t overmix.

Step 3: Stir in the Goodies

Fold in the chocolate chips, Hershey bar pieces, and nuts by hand. This keeps the dough chunky and prevents overmixing.

Step 4: Shape the Cookies

Roll dough into balls or spoon onto a baking sheet. Place 2 inches apart. For weddings or special occasions, you can scoop smaller uniform cookies; for everyday trays, I prefer teaspoon-sized drops for a rustic look.

Step 5: Bake

Bake at 375°F for 10 minutes. Cookies should be golden but still soft in the center. They’ll continue to firm as they cool.

Expert Tips & Troubleshooting

Avoid flat cookies: Don’t overmix. Hand-stir in the chocolate and nuts.
Rustic vs. uniform: Spoon-drop for homemade charm, or use a scoop for weddings.
Make ahead: Dough can be frozen in logs, then sliced into rounds for quick cookies.
Dress them up: Add edible gold leaf or drizzle with chocolate for fancy trays.

Storage & Make-Ahead Notes

Room temp: Store baked cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Freeze dough: Freeze shaped dough balls up to 3 months. Bake straight from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes.
Freeze baked cookies: Freeze in layers with parchment between for up to 2 months.

FAQs

Why blend the oats?
Blending oats creates structure without adding oatmeal texture—just chewy, thick cookies.

Can I skip the nuts?
Yes, but they add crunch. Swap with more chocolate if desired.

Why add a Hershey bar if I already have chocolate chips?
The bar melts into pockets of chocolate, giving a mix of gooey and chunky textures.

Do these spread a lot?
No—thanks to the oats, they stay high and chewy.

Conclusion

These Neiman Marcus Chocolate Chip Cookies are everything a cookie should be—chewy, chocolatey, and steeped in family tradition. Perfect for weddings, holidays, or just a cozy Sunday afternoon, they never disappoint. 🍪 Have you tried this legendary recipe? Share your experience in the comments, and don’t forget to 📌 save this recipe on Pinterest!