Recipe: Neiman Marcus Chocolate Chip Cookies (urban myth cookies with photo)

NEIMAN MARCUS CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

"Our chocolate chip cookie is the subject of a classic "urban myth." Honestly, no one at Neiman Marcus has ever, ever, charged for a recipe. My very first week on the job, I received a letter complaining about someone who knew someone who had been charged for the cookie recipe. I took the note to our Public Relations Department and asked about It. I was quickly brought up to speed about the infamous hoax regarding our chocolate chip cookie recipe. It had started years ago as a kind of chain letter sent through the mail that circulated around the world. I was assured that the rumor had been squelched, but back in the mid-1990's, the Internet was opening up in a big way. Everyone was getting online, it seemed, and we witnessed this urban myth traveling the world again through cyberspace! I suggested we come up with a real recipe for chocolate chip cookies, and after extensive testing and tasting, this is the result. Next, we published it on the Neiman Marcus Web site for all to have for free. So now, if the subject comes up, you'll know the inside scoop-and own the authentic recipe. And, by the way, it is a chocolate chip cookie without rival."

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1 cup light brown sugar
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 teaspoons instant espresso coffee powder

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Prepare a cookie sheet with about 2 tablespoons of shortening (or use a non-stick spray).

Place the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in the work bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed for about 30 seconds, until the mixture is fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla for 30 seconds longer, until well combined.

In a mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add to the mixer, while beating on slow speed. Beat for about 15 seconds, stir in the chocolate chips and espresso powder, and mix for 15 seconds longer.

Using a 1-ounce scoop, or using a 2 tablespoon measure, drop the cookie dough onto the prepared cookie sheet in dollops about 3-inches apart. Gently press down on the dough with the back of a spoon to spread out into 2-inch circles; there should be room on the sheet for six or eight cookies at a time.

Transfer to the oven in batches and, bake for about 20 minutes or until the cookies are nicely browned around the edges. Bake for a little longer for crisper cookies.

Makes about 2 dozen cookies
Source: Neiman Marcus Cookbook by Kevin Garvin, John Harrisson and Neiman-Marcus