Easy Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe for Sweet Success

Craving a legendary chocolate chip cookie that transcends ordinary bakery standards?

Levain Bakery’s iconic treat has captivated dessert enthusiasts across New York City with its massive, gooey interior and crisp golden edges.

Pastry chefs worldwide have attempted to replicate this extraordinary recipe, but few come close to the original’s magical texture.

Unlike typical cookies that crumble instantly, these hefty delights boast a remarkable density and rich chocolate complexity.

Each batch promises a sublime balance between crisp exterior and molten chocolate core that melts seamlessly on your tongue.

Professional bakers consider this recipe a gold standard for achieving the perfect chocolate chip cookie experience.

Let’s uncover the secrets behind crafting these irresistible, oversized delights that will make your kitchen smell like a premium bakeshop.

FAQs

• Why are my cookies flat instead of thick like Levain's?

Cold butter and chilling the dough helps maintain the thick, chunky shape. Don’t overmix or overwork the dough, and make sure your butter is straight from the refrigerator.

• Can I use different types of chocolate?

Absolutely! You can mix semi-sweet, milk, and dark chocolate chips to create a more complex flavor profile. Just maintain the same total weight of chocolate in the recipe.

• What makes these cookies different from regular chocolate chip cookies?

The high baking temperature, large cookie size, and minimal mixing create a crispy exterior with a gooey, soft center that sets Levain-style cookies apart from traditional recipes.

The Secrets Behind Levain Bakery’s Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies

• Craft Massive Cookies: Create restaurant-style giant cookies that rival professional bakery standards with simple ingredients and basic baking techniques.
• Master Bakery-Level Technique: Learn professional baking secrets by using cold butter, precise mixing methods, and strategic temperature control for perfectly textured cookies.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Prepare a batch that serves multiple people, perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or family dessert moments with minimal preparation effort.
• Customize with Ease: Adapt the recipe by swapping chocolate chips or nuts, making it versatile for different taste preferences and dietary needs.

Key Ingredients for Thick and Gooey Cookies

• Butter: A rich, cold dairy product that provides a creamy texture and helps create a tender cookie base.
• Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Sweet ingredients that add depth of flavor and help create a soft, chewy cookie texture.
• Eggs: Binding agents that provide structure and help hold the cookie ingredients together.
• Chocolate Chips: Classic sweet morsels that create pockets of melted chocolate throughout the cookie.
• Walnuts: Crunchy nuts that add a nutty flavor and interesting texture to the cookies.

• All-Purpose Flour, Cornstarch: Dry ingredients that contribute to the cookie's soft and tender crumb.

• Baking Soda, Salt: Essential ingredients that help the cookies rise and enhance the overall flavor profile.

How to Bake Bakery-Style Cookies at Home

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Set your oven to a toasty 410°F (210°C) and get ready for cookie magic.

Step 2: Create A Buttery Base

In a spacious mixing bowl, blend cold butter with brown and granulated sugars until they transform into a creamy, dreamy mixture.

Step 3: Introduce Eggs

Gently add eggs one at a time, stirring thoroughly after each addition to create a smooth, rich batter.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Cake flour
• Cornstarch
• Baking soda
• Salt

Mix until ingredients are just combined, avoiding overmixing.

Step 5: Fold In Delicious Extras

• Chocolate chips
• Chopped walnuts

Distribute evenly throughout the mixture.

Step 6: Shape Massive Cookie Rounds

Divide the dough into 6-8 generously sized balls, ensuring each is round and substantial.

Step 7: Bake To Perfection

Place cookie dough balls on a baking sheet, allowing space between each. Bake for 9-12 minutes until edges turn golden while centers remain delightfully soft.

Step 8: Cool And Enjoy

Allow cookies to rest on the baking pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a serving plate, letting them set and develop an irresistible texture.

Pro Tips for Texture and Perfect Bake

• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and enhance flavor complexity.
• Use high-quality chocolate chunks or premium chocolate chips for maximum richness and depth of taste.
• Measure flour precisely by spooning into the measuring cup and leveling off to avoid dense, dry cookies.
• For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend and add 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum.
• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain optimal texture and freshness.

Fun Flavor Twists to Try

• Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend, ensuring the same rich texture and flavor for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Chocolate Chip Delight: Replace eggs with mashed bananas or flax eggs, and use dairy-free butter or coconut oil to create a plant-based version of the classic cookie.
• Nutless Chocolate Chip Option: Omit walnuts entirely or swap with seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds for those with nut allergies, maintaining the cookie's signature crunch.
• Dark Chocolate Lover's Version: Swap milk chocolate chips for intense dark chocolate chunks, creating a more sophisticated and less sweet cookie experience.

Serving Suggestions for Cookie Lovers

• Cozy Cookie Picnic Platter: Arrange cookies on a rustic wooden board with fresh berries, whipped cream, and a sprinkle of powdered sugar for a delightful outdoor treat.
• Dessert Sundae Surprise: Crumble warm cookies over vanilla ice cream, drizzle with caramel sauce, and top with chopped nuts for an indulgent dessert experience.
• Midnight Milk Companion: Pair these thick, gooey cookies with a cold glass of milk, creating the perfect late-night comfort snack that melts in your mouth.
• Gift of Love Package: Wrap cooled cookies in parchment paper, tie with a ribbon, and present as a heartwarming homemade gift for friends or family gatherings.

How to Store Cookies for Maximum Freshness

• Store completely cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
• Refrigerate cookies in a sealed container for extended freshness, lasting up to 7-10 days.
• Freeze individually wrapped cookies in freezer-safe bags for 2-3 months, maintaining their delicious texture and flavor.
• Reheat refrigerated or frozen cookies by placing them on a baking sheet and warming in a preheated 350F oven for 3-5 minutes until slightly crisp and warm.

Best Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

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4.5 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Levain bakery chocolate chip cookie recipe delivers massive, thick cookies packed with rich chocolate chunks and walnuts. Cookie lovers savor this New York classic with its crisp edges and gooey center that satisfy serious dessert cravings.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 2 cups walnuts, roughly chopped
• 2 large eggs

Flour Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups cake flour
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Sugar and Fat Ingredients:

• 1 cup (226 grams) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
• 3/4 cup (150 grams) light brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar

Seasoning and Leavening Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Gather and prepare all ingredients at room temperature for optimal mixing consistency.
2. Combine cold butter with brown and granulated sugars, vigorously creaming until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
3. Incorporate eggs individually, ensuring thorough blending after each addition.
4. Gently fold dry ingredients – flours, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt – into the wet mixture, stirring until just integrated.
5. Carefully fold chocolate chips and walnuts throughout the dough, distributing evenly without overmixing.
6. Form substantial dough portions into robust, rustic balls, approximately 6-8 in total.
7. Position dough balls on a lined baking sheet, maintaining generous spacing between each cookie.
8. Slide the sheet into a preheated 410F (210C) oven, baking for 9-12 minutes until edges transform to a rich golden hue while centers remain delicately soft.
9. Remove from oven and allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, enabling structural stabilization and continued gentle cooking.
10. Transfer to a cooling rack, permitting complete temperature reduction before serving or storing.

Notes

• Cold butter creates a dense, rich texture that mimics Levain’s signature thick cookies.
• Chill dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and maintain height.
• Use high-quality chocolate chunks or discs instead of standard chips for more luxurious melting pockets.
• For gluten-free version, swap all-purpose and bread flour with a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend, ensuring similar protein content.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 370 kcal
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg