The REAL Neiman Marcus Cookie Recipe

I guess this year is Neiman Marcus' 100 Anniversary so today at the stores in Dallas (and maybe elsewhere but I'm not sure) they gave away a free cookie and the recipe. Some co-workers and I went there after lunch and picked up the goods. I'm sure at one point or another you've come across the email with the recipe and the story about the lady who paid $250 for the recipe and was miffed about the cost so she shared it with everyone via email...well supposedly that's an urban legend but anyway....here's the real recipe (and the best part was that it wasn't $250!!):

The Neiman Marcus Chocolate Chip Cookie

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 1/2 teaspoons instant espresso coffee powder
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Cream the butter with the sugars using an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy (approximately 30 seconds). Beat in the egg and the vanilla extract for another 30 seconds. In a mixing bowl, sift together the dry ingredients and beat into the butter mixture at low speed for about 15 seconds. Stir in the espresso coffee powder and chocolate chips. Using a 1-ounch scoop or 2-tablespoon measure, drop cookie dough onto a greased cookie sheet about 3 inches apart. Gently press down on the dough with the back of a spoon to spread out into a 2-inch circle. Bake for about 20 minutes or until nicely browned around the edges. bake a little longer for a crispier cookie. Makes 2 dozen cookies.

Well, there it is....now for my notes on the recipe:
First of all, I don't drink coffee so I think that it would be fine to omit the espresso coffee powder. Second of all, yes, do put them about 3 inches apart on the cookie sheet. These are huge cookies, I'd say that they are about 4" in diameter when they are all done...They are pretty good, although the recipe has very similar ingredients to a lot of other chocolate chip cookie recipes I've seen...so anyway, ENJOY!! Erin