The Famous $250 Cookie Recipe That's Worth Every Penny

If you've been on the internet, you've probably heard the infamous story of the $250 cookies brought to you by Neiman Marcus. If not, the story is one that is quite bizarre — and, in my personal opinion, extremely interesting.

As the decades-old tale goes, there was once a woman shopping in a Dallas-based Neiman Marcus with her daughter and they stopped by the cafe to enjoy a quick sit down. During the meal, she purchased two salads (along with a $20 scarf that she'd nabbed while shopping) and after tasting the complimentary chocolate chip cookies the store offers, asked for the recipe since she enjoyed them so much. The waitress informed her that she could have the recipe for "two-fifty" to which the shopper obliged, and off she happily went.

Less happily, after she checked her credit card bill she realized that the actual price was $250. Neiman Marcus reportedly refused to give her a refund for the recipe and as a result, the woman decided to get even and released the recipe to her friends and family, instructing them to pass it along to anyone who would take it. And that, my friends, is the origin story of the famous $250 cookie recipe.

While the story has been called a hoax on many occasions (New York Times columnist Barbara Whitaker even wrote a story exposing the claim in 1997), that hasn't stopped the recipe from circulating online. And, in the process receive critical acclaim for its taste.

Though slightly different from the chocolate chip cookie recipe that Neiman Marcus claims is the real version, the $250 cookie recipe is one that has found a solid space in the heart of anyone who has tried it. After seeing it pop up online again, I knew I had to give it a go myself. So, I headed to the store, grabbed everything I needed and got to work.

Get the recipe: $250 Cookies Recipe

Ingredients for the $250 Cookies

You may want to grab a pen and paper because this list of ingredients is quite involved.

Here’s what you need to make your very own version of the famous "$250 Cookies:" unsalted butter, granulated sugar and light brown sugar, large eggs, vanilla extract, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, old-fashioned rolled oats, bittersweet chocolate chips, Hershey’s chocolate bars and finally, roughly chopped walnuts or pecans.

Whew! I warned you that the list was kind of long, but trust me it will all be worth it in the end.

Related: Reba McEntire's Porch Day Lemonade Is a Sweet Summer Send-Off

How to Make the $250 Cookies

Start out by preheating your oven to 375°F and place two racks in the center of the oven. Then, using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, combine your butter and both types of sugar until they are light in color, about 3 to 5 minutes. Once combined, add in your eggs and vanilla extract.

In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix well. Lastly, stir in the chocolate chips, Hershey’s chocolate pieces and chopped nuts. Using a large spoon, scoop the cookie dough and roll it into balls. Place the dough balls on a cookie sheet, spacing them about two inches apart. Bake until the tops are golden, which should take eight to 10 minutes.

What I Thought of the $250 Cookies

This recipe is truly a 10 out of 10, and I would highly recommend. These cookies are dangerous, and I shouldn’t be left alone with them. I’ve had one or two with each meal since making them, starting at breakfast. I typically prefer my cookies without oats and nuts, but these cookies wouldn’t be the same without them. The mix of pecans and oats give the otherwise soft cookie a very enjoyable crunch, and adds a balance to the sweetness provided by the Hershey’s bar and chocolate chips. The cookie is somehow soft, yet crunchy and both sweet and savory — which is the perfect combination of all the things that make a cookie perfect.

The only thing I think that could make these bad boys a little bit better would be the addition of peanut butter. Maybe Neiman Marcus will give us that version soon. I mean, getting a new shirt is nice, but getting a new shirt and a chocolate chip cookie? Now that’s just fantastic.

Related: Viral Pink Lemonade Fudge Is Giving Peak Barbie Summer Vibes

Tips for Making the $250 Cookies

1. Use a stand mixer if you can. Using a hand blender only creates a mess and mixing the tough dough by hand could be categorized as an extreme workout. So, if you've been looking for a reason to get a new stand mixer, this is it.

2. Use room-temperature butter. Like many cookies, it's easier to cream the butter and sugar if your butter is at room temperature instead of straight out of the fridge. Room-temperature butter (you should be able to make a small dent in it when you press on the stick) will incorporate with the butter more easily and aerate the best, which will translate to a light, tender cookie. If you need to soften your butter quickly, grate it on a box grater, cut it into small pieces and let it sit out for a bit or take a tall glass drinking glass and fill it with hot water. Dump out the water, stand the stick of butter upright on the counter and put the overturned glass over it. Give it a few minutes and it'll be ready to go!

Get the recipe: $250 Cookies Recipe

Up next: Copycat McDonald's Sweet 'N Sour Sauce Is the Upgrade Your Frozen Nuggets Need