What we have here is an urban legend from yesteryear that appeals to its listeners in its ability to illustrate “fight for those less fortunate”, giving them hope by forwarding it onward. By forwarding it along, we become armchair heroes!
Although its current manifestation vilifies Neiman Marcus department stores as its source, this legend dates back more than seventy years and has been told about various organizations (and various confectioneries) throughout this long journey. Examples:
“[Collected from the Internet, 1996]
My daughter and I had just finished our salad at Neiman-Marcus Cafe in Dallas when we decided to have some dessert. Because our family are such cookie enthusiasts, we decided to sample their famous “Neiman-Marcus Cookie.” As soon as it hit my tongue it was delicious; when asked for the recipe they said with regret “No”. When asked again would I buy it they smiled cutely said, yes and quoted two fifty for sale which made my daughter very pleased when she said this one can just add it onto her bill.” I said thanks and added it right away on to her tab!
30 days later, I received my Visa statement from Neiman-Marcus with an unexpectedly large charge – $285.00! As soon as I looked closer I remembered only spending $9.95 for two salads and around $200.00 on a scarf – yet here was $285.00!! I called Neiman’s Accounting Dept to complain but instead discovered my bill would remain unchanged due to all their cookie recipes costing $250 each; when asked for refund and reduction they responded that this policy applied because not every customer could duplicate bakery recipes….the bill would stand; waiting patiently as they spoke about this mistaken charge… and could do nothing about getting refund or partial repayment from Neimans…. I pondered over ways I could regain all or some money lost due to Neimans when finally… it arrived… all $285!! I remember being taken back! As soon as possible…! I pondered over what could happen or at least try and recover as much of what had gone ‘out if any……. I wondered about getting even or at least trying and get all back some or get something in return from Neimans Accounting Dept as possible when calling them they stated all out! They apologized but stated they couldn’t do much about taking back what had already spent too much; my bill remain as it. As it had gone unclaimed but after awhile had gone wasted…and was gone…. I decided it wouldn’t happen again before calling Neimans Accounting Dept, calling them off their Accounting Dept gave up until their Accounting Dept responded…. and left all this time would it…….but somehow get any of it back (even any!!!) So many ways back before hand before… I could somehow… but would get any of this recipe back or possibly get any money refunded; once more… but would take back, unfortunately… It had stood due to get even.. They said sorry saying all their recipes being this expensive to the bill would stand… I thought “get even or try anything before again next month… when Nei Man. Thanks anyway…… but waiting, wondering whether any return and eventually dod anyway….. And yet another chance but no where they said maybe just cancel any out!! The wait!!”. Waited when any back as promised again!! I then. Waited back though!!!!!!! back somewhere just one back….. when returned it back as much back too much back!!….a refunding or less.” But maybe….any refund… “this year!”…..!! until it before, anyway as much needed or otherwise….they could at least reduce………..!!”?!!” But somehow!?!” (or at least try and tried! but wait… or somehow get any. Would still try somehow get whatever my bill wouldn’t let’d wait…. I tried……… so very badly needed because only until one?!!!) that happened… waiting would even possibly. Waite! Waite!!!!!!!!!……………. This.. Waitewaited…. but…..!)……. when my bill………..waited…. Finally….. but by waiting….wait; even worse! back (?) Thanks anyway…. I hope some money back; any way…………. If necessary get out… But maybe……. back it…..!… until soon…..!!… back before this bill could make up by taking back somehow get anything… back…? Or at least try getting any way…. I could even try some way…….. back………wait…….wait… it could possibly get even!…. This…wait was…! In any of course could return or possibly try somehow return my funds). (although waiting…..(?!….. but they’s so
“Now, since you folks gave me $250.00 and now it is my time to have some fun for free with it”, I replied, telling the cashier I would make sure every cookie lover will receive one from Neiman-Marcus free. She replied “I wish you wouldn’t do this”, to which I replied that this was simply how I was planning to avenge myself for what had transpired between us; yet another time. She responded “I wish this wouldn’t happen”, to which I responded “But this was only way I felt I could get even,” which I pledged I will do.
So here it is; please share and distribute as freely as you please… I paid for this document; now you can have access for nothing (you may even halve its recipe!). (Recipe may be reduced in half).
Use 2 cups of butter4, cups flour2, teaspoon of soda2, cups sugar5 cups blended oatmeal**24 ounces chocolate chips2 cups brown sugar1 teaspoon of salt1 8-oz Hershey Bar grated4 eggs2, teaspoon baking powder3 cups chopped nuts (your choice)2 teaspoon vanilla
Cream the butter and both sugars; combine eggs, vanilla and flour together; then fold in oatmeal, salt, baking powder and soda for best results. Fold in chocolate chips, Hershey Bar pieces and nuts before rolling the dough into balls two inches apart on a cookie sheet before baking for 10 minutes at 375 degrees – this yields 112 cookies!
** Measure out oatmeal and use a blender to grind into a fine powder.
Source of Collection Information [Collected via E-mail in June 2009]
Woolworths (South Africa), for those unfamiliar, is an exclusive clothing and supermarket outlet (they sell T-shirts that would typically retail at R50 for R150!). My daughter and I recently finished lunch at their Hyde Park cafe where we tried out their “Woolies Cookie”, to which both of us loved immensely; in fact it was so impressive I asked if they could give me their recipe!
“Sadly not,” replied the waitress with an embarrassed frown, before adding, ‘But you could buy my recipe” When asked for more details she answered that I could purchase her book for two fifty pounds which seemed to me an excellent bargain!
After discussing it further, I agreed and told her to add it to my bill. A few days later when my Visa statement came through with Woolworths charged at R485, which seemed excessive considering only spending R49.95 for two sandwiches and R120 on scarf purchases were actually taken into consideration. To my horror, further down my statement it read ‘Cookie Recipe – R250.00’! It was unbelievable.
Woolworth’s Accounting Department refused to budge; their reasoning being: What the waitress told you is none of our concern since you already saw the recipe and that there will be no refund due to what happened between then and now.
I briefly explained the Gauteng state fraud statutes to her and threatened to report her company and individuals involved to Better Business Bureau and Attorney General’s offices if necessary, to which I received no reply other than: ‘Just do whatever you like – no point worrying about getting even with anyone or trying to recover any of your funds”.
“Now that I have your R250, let me have some R250 worth of fun.” I explained my plan by telling her I would ensure every cookie lover with an email account received one R250 cookie recipe from Neiman-Marcus free – she replied with disappointment saying they wish someone wouldn’t do this; to which I replied with, ‘Well perhaps you should have considered this before ripping ME OFF!” and promptly put down the phone.
So here it is! Please pass this recipe along as widely as possible; I paid R250 for this dish and don’t want Woolworths ever making another penny from it!
(Recipe may be divided in half as this makes plenty of cookies): 2 500ml cups butter combined with 680 g chocolate chips are needed, along with four 1000 ml cups flour, two 500 ml cups brown sugar, bicarbonate of soda (1 teaspoon/10 milliliters), salt, 2 (500 ml) cups of brown sugar (2 cups), Bicarbonate of soda (10ml), bicarbonate of soda, salt as well as two (500 ml) cups white sugar (5 cups), 500ml cups brown Sugar (2 cups brown Sugar +2 cups sugar + Grated Cadbury chocolate = 500 ml cups totalling: 500 ml+4 eggs+ baking powder2 tablespoonfull baking powder+vanilla =5 cups blended oatmeal + eggs + eggs+ baking powder+vanilla= 5-1250 ml+375 nuts) =5 cups blended oatmeal + Eggs=1250ml=5.75 cups blended oatmeal + eggs =5 1250 ml=5 =5 1250 ml =5 =5 cups blended oatmeal + eggs+ 2 TSP=10 MSL= 10ml= 1250 Ml), 5 eggs + baking Powder(1 Tsp=10) + Vanilla 3 TSP (10ml= 10ml), baking powder 2 TSP (10ml = 1250 = 250g=250g=10 + vanilla 3 Cup(10 M)+ vanilla+ vanilla=15+3 =1250+7 =5 cups chopped nuts optional =4 eggs(5+ 4 eggs+ 2 TSP =1250 = 12 50 =75 (375) (300)= 4 TSP (10 M= Baking powder=2, Baking Powder2 TSP (10 M= baking Powder 1 TSP= 10 =10 =10+TSP 10 =10) for vanilla +TsP = 10=10)= 10+10 =10=10) (3 TSP,10) (1 cup =10=13= ) (3 + 10mL), baking = 10M), vanilla (+10) (3 TSP (10 ML 10+10) vanilla; 9-10mL) 1=10TSP 10 = 110; vanilla4TSPA) (3 cups + 10mL). + 6= – vanilla3 cups) vanilla)1 (= 10 + 10M) vanilla) 2T= 10 TSP (10+ 2+10 (2T 10), baking Powder), baking + vanilla) 3 (T&1 (10), + 3 cups (375), then, baking P2, +1 (3TC 5 + Vanilla), 4T (10ML 10 (+) Vanilla 10 (=100). 3 cups + Vanilla) 3 C chopped Nu)3 cups), (* 3 Cup= 10TM)
Oatmeal should first be ground into a fine powder using a blender. Cream the butter and both sugars before mixing with flour, oatmeal, salt, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda in equal parts until everything has come together well. Finally add chocolate chips, grated Chocolate and nuts before rolling balls two inches apart onto cookie sheet to bake at 180 C for 10 minutes for 112 cookies – enjoy!
Please save and forward this recipe to anyone you know with an e-mail address – this story is true and not meant as a joke!
Here’s an excellent example from Massachusetts Cooking Rules, Old and New from 1948: not only the recipe but also an explanation as to its name: $25 Fudge Cake
On receipt of a recipe from one of the railroad chefs, she had to pay $25 in order to have access to it. She requested it while dining onboard one of these trains and received it along with an attorney-approved invoice of $25 that her chef honored gladly. Her friend then distributed this recipe widely among friends hoping it might bring them some enjoyment as well.
As disturbingly familiar?
In the 1960s, this story evolved into one vilifying New York’s Waldorf-Astoria hotel over their dessert known as Red Velvet Cake. A diner who later wrote to request its recipe received instead a bill for $350 from her lawyer; her way to exact revenge?distributing its recipe widely across society.
Rumor has it that Mrs. Fields Cookie recipe was sold at $250 to someone. Along with that story was an accompanying chocolate-chip cookie recipe attached as proof. I want all my customers to know this is false information; Mrs. Fields recipe remains my trade secret!
Modernly speaking, Mrs. Fields no longer stands as the subject of legends about Neiman-Marcus stores – in fact it may have begun with Marshall Fields but then later switched over as Neiman-Marcus followed in suit (partially due to misremembered names as both had similar-sounding names plus both are department stores). One possible explanation could be misrememberings between Marshall Fields (which briefly told of Mrs. Fields) and Neiman Marcus stores as both had similar-sounding names associated with department store names similar to Mrs. Fields).
Two decades after it first gained widespread e-mail forwarding popularity, the Neiman-Marcus cookie story flourished again through another medium – Facebook. Tens of thousands of Facebook users shared it once again shortly before January 2016, though not much had changed between 1996 and today (except that “two fifty” aspect remained). Exact details regarding why such an old tale received such great traction might remain unknown but may partially have been generational influences at play in its renewed relevance to contemporary audiences.
Neiman Marcus has become yet another victim, prompting many inquiries regarding its lengthy canonical version, of this tale (which follows).
My daughter and I had just finished our salads at Neiman-Marcus Cafe in Dallas when we decided to enjoy some sweet treat afterward. Being cookie lovers ourselves, we tried out their famous “Neiman-Marcus Cookie”. When tasting one I asked for their recipe but unfortunately was informed “no”. When pressed further I asked whether they sold copies; she replied yes with two fifty prices attached as per request from me; which I told her would just add onto our tab bill for convenience later.
30 days later, when I received my VISA statement from Neiman-Marcus it had totaled $285.00! When I looked closer I remembered spending only $9.95 for two salads and $20.00 on a scarf; yet at the bottom of my statement there was something called Cookie Recipe $250.00 listed as well! Being completely discomfited I called Neiman-Marcus Accounting Dept and informed them the waitress told me it would only cost $50 for her recipe; yet that figure had now doubled! When I called they explained it meant 250 dollars! Initially they told me it meant $50. They later changed this statement for them so as not to offend anyone further and took steps against Neimans Accounting Dept to dispute this amount billed by mistakenly paying it before.
Neiman Marcus refused to pay his bill; so, as is often the case with legends about people or organizations, an appeal from the author came that all his/her acquaintances must share this message as widely as possible. And in Neiman Marcus’ particular instance, this proved even more unlikely:
Once this rumor spread, Neiman-Marcus decided to create their signature chocolate chip cookie as an answer to it.
Neiman Marcus does not operate any cafeteria-style eateries at its Dallas-area stores; rather, their three restaurants are named Zodiac at North Park and The Woods respectively.
Neiman Marcus doesn’t sell its recipes from its restaurants; rather, the department store gives them away for free when anyone asks and has published its chocolate chip cookie recipe online (available to view through their web site).
As to why this legend persists despite repeated debunking efforts, one explanation could be its appeal as an allegory for David and Goliath: the little guy taking down an enormous, corporate entity which many wish would collapse under pressure from below. This piece of netlore invites and demands participation; an easy one at that! One click of the Forward key enables someone who once wanted to join The Forces for Good but never found time or the motivation can now experience that wonderful, self-righteous feeling that comes from Striking a Blow. All it takes are pins or an email capability and some message forwarding for good deed of the day to be completed before your morning coffee has even cooled! Would an anonymous email that has been forwarded numerous times lie?
