The Ultimate Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe at Home

Crafting the perfect levain bakery chocolate chip cookies requires a delicate balance of passion and precision.

Massive, thick, and irresistibly gooey, these legendary treats have captured dessert lovers’ hearts worldwide.

Passionate bakers know the secret lies in selecting premium ingredients and mastering subtle technique nuances.

Each bite promises a symphony of textures – crisp edges melting into a soft, decadent center.

Professional pastry chefs have long admired the unique approach that makes these cookies stand out from ordinary recipes.

Crisp butter-laden edges give way to a molten chocolate interior that speaks directly to your soul.

Rich, indulgent, and utterly transformative, you won’t be able to resist making these extraordinary cookies again and again.

What Makes Levain Bakery Cookies So Famous

• Craft Massive Cookies: Indulge in oversized, bakery-style chocolate chip cookies that deliver a decadent, restaurant-quality treat right from your home kitchen.
• Master Gourmet Baking: Learn professional baking techniques with simple steps that transform basic ingredients into spectacular, crowd-pleasing cookies with minimal culinary expertise.
• Quick Comfort Creation: Whip up deliciously rich cookies that satisfy sweet cravings quickly, perfect for unexpected guests or spontaneous dessert moments.
• Customize with Ease: Swap walnuts for your favorite nuts or experiment with different chocolate chip varieties to personalize this versatile recipe to your taste preferences.

Ingredients for Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour, Cake Flour: A blend of two flours creates the perfect texture for these bakery-style cookies.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Salt: These leavening agents and seasoning help the cookies rise and enhance the overall flavor.

• Cold Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create the signature dense, thick cookie texture.
• Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: A combination that adds depth of sweetness and helps create a chewy, caramelized exterior.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the cookie's structure and richness.

• Chocolate Chips, Walnuts: Bring delicious chunks of chocolate and nutty crunch to each bite of the cookie, creating a classic flavor combination.

How to Bake Levain Bakery Style Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Baking Space

Warm up your oven to 400°F.

Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper for perfect cookie landing.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

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

Blend these dry ingredients until they’re perfectly combined and lump-free.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a separate large bowl, beat cold butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar.

Mix until the combination looks smooth and slightly fluffy.

Step 4: Incorporate Eggs

Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition.

Ensure each egg is fully blended before adding the next.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients.

Stir gently until just combined.

Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.

Step 6: Add Chocolate and Nuts

Fold in chocolate chips and chopped walnuts.

Distribute them evenly throughout the dough for maximum flavor in every bite.

Step 7: Shape Cookie Dough

Create large, chunky dough balls.

Place them generously spaced on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the oven.

Bake for 9-12 minutes.

Look for golden brown edges with a soft, gooey center.

Step 9: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes.

Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before devouring.

Helpful Tips for Levain Style Cookie Texture

• Refrigerate the cookie dough for at least 30 minutes to prevent spreading and enhance flavor depth.
• Use high-quality chocolate chips or chunks for rich, intense chocolate flavor in every bite.
• Make oversized cookies (about 6 ounces each) to achieve Levain's signature thick and tall cookie texture.
• Allow eggs to sit at room temperature before mixing for smoother, more even cookie dough consistency.
• Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain their soft, chewy texture.

Flavor Variations for Levain Chocolate Chip Cookies

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace wheat flour with almond flour and gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, maintaining the same measurements for a celiac-friendly cookie.
• Vegan Variation: Swap butter with coconut oil, use flax eggs instead of regular eggs, and select dairy-free chocolate chips to create a plant-based alternative.
• Nut-Free Option: Eliminate walnuts completely and increase chocolate chips quantity or substitute with sunflower seeds for added crunch without allergen risks.
• Low-Sugar Alternative: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia in place of brown and granulated sugars, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining cookie's rich flavor profile.

Ideas to Serve Levain Bakery Cookies

• Cookie Pairing Paradise: Serve alongside a cold glass of milk for the ultimate classic combination.
• Dessert Elevation: Crumble these cookies over vanilla ice cream to create a decadent sundae with rich chocolate chunks.
• Gifting Delight: Package these cookies in cute mason jars or decorated boxes for heartwarming homemade presents perfect for friends and family.
• Tea Time Twist: Arrange cookies on a beautiful platter with different tea varieties for an elegant afternoon snack experience.

Best Way to Keep Levain Cookies Soft

• Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain texture.
• Scoop cookie dough balls onto a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to freezer bags. Keep frozen for 2-3 months. Bake directly from frozen state, adding 2-3 extra minutes to baking time.
• Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Store for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before enjoying.

FAQs

• Why are these cookies so large?

Levain Bakery is famous for its massive, extra-thick cookies that are almost like small cakes, weighing around 6 ounces each. Their signature size allows for a crispy exterior and incredibly soft, gooey center.

• How do I get the signature Levain Bakery texture?

Cold butter and minimal mixing are key. Beat butter and sugars just until combined, and mix dry ingredients until they’re barely incorporated. This technique prevents overworking the dough and maintains a tender, chunky texture.

• Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes! Prepare the dough, shape into balls, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Chilling helps develop deeper flavors and prevents excessive spreading during baking. You can also freeze the dough balls for up to 3 months.

Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

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4.9 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Chocolate chip cookies from Levain Bakery redefine indulgence with their massive, gooey centers and crisp edges. Bakers can craft these New York-style treats, delivering a perfect balance of rich chocolate and buttery dough that you’ll savor with pure delight.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups chocolate chips
• 1 cup unsalted butter, cold & cubed
• 2 large eggs
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup cake flour

Sweeteners:

• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

Leavening and Seasoning:

• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Gather chilled butter and prepare dry ingredients to ensure optimal texture and flavor development.
2. Combine flour varieties, leavening agents, and seasoning in a mixing vessel, whisking thoroughly to eliminate potential lumps.
3. Cream cold butter with sugar varieties using a robust mixing technique until the mixture appears smooth and slightly aerated.
4. Incorporate eggs individually, blending completely after each addition to maintain mixture integrity.
5. Gently introduce dry ingredient mixture into wet components, stirring minimally to prevent gluten overdevelopment.
6. Delicately fold chocolate fragments and nutty elements throughout the dough, distributing evenly with minimal manipulation.
7. Craft substantial, rustic dough mounds using hands, ensuring generous proportions and irregular surface textures.
8. Position cookie formations on parchment-lined baking surface, allowing substantial spacing between each cluster.
9. Roast within preheated 400°F oven for 9-12 minutes, watching for golden perimeter and tender central regions.
10. Extract from oven and permit natural cooling, allowing structural stabilization and flavor intensification before consumption.

Notes

• Chill dough for at least 30 minutes to prevent excessive spreading and enhance flavor development.
• Use high-quality chocolate chips like Belgian or dark chocolate for richer, more complex taste profiles.
• Customize the recipe by substituting walnuts with pecans or almonds for different nutty undertones.
• For gluten-sensitive individuals, replace wheat flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to maintain similar texture and structure.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 231 kcal
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 143 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 2.8 g
• Cholesterol: 32 mg