This is a beloved American dessert with a rich history rooted in urban legend. According to the tale, a woman dined at Neiman Marcus and, enamored by their cookies, requested the recipe. She was told it would cost "two-fifty," which she assumed meant $2.50. However, her credit card was later charged $250. Feeling deceived, she shared the recipe widely, leading to its widespread popularity. While the tale has been debunked as an urban legend, the cookie itself, packed with oats, chocolate chips, grated Hershey bars, and nuts, became a beloved homemade treat. Its combination of chewy texture and rich, chocolatey crunch makes it one of America’s favorite myth-inspired desserts.
Equipment
- 1 cooky sheet
Ingredients
- 2 cups butter
- 3 cups sugar
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 4 ea eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 4 cups flour
- 5 cups oatmeal (blended)
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 24 oz. chocolate chips
- 1 8 oz. Hershey bar (grated)
- 3 cups nuts (chopped, walnuts or pecans)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Oatmeal Base
- Blend oatmeal in a blender until it forms a fine powder.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
- Cream together butter, sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
- Beat in eggs and vanilla extract until smooth.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, mix flour, blended oatmeal, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the creamed mixture until evenly blended.
Step 6: Add Chocolate and Nuts
- Stir in chocolate chips, grated Hershey bar, and chopped nuts.
Step 7: Shape Cookies
- Roll dough into balls and place 2 inches apart on a cookie sheet.
Step 8: Bake
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 6–10 minutes, or until golden brown.
Step 9: Cool and Serve
- Allow to cool on a wire rack before serving.
Tips
- Substitute half the chocolate chips with white chocolate for a creamy twist.
- Use pecans for a Southern flair or walnuts for more crunch.
- Chill dough for 30 minutes before baking for thicker cookies.
- Swap part of the butter with shortening for a chewier texture.
- Make a smaller batch by halving the recipe.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cookieCalories: 180kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 2.5gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.6gMonounsaturated Fat: 2.5gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 90mgPotassium: 90mgFiber: 1.2gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 120IUCalcium: 20mgIron: 0.7mg
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