The Ultimate Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe at Home

Chocolate chip cookies from levain bakery have become a legendary sweet obsession among pastry enthusiasts.

Passionate bakers seek this iconic New York treat with intense curiosity.

Crispy edges and gooey centers define these extraordinary treats that promise pure indulgence.

Few recipes capture such delightful textural complexity in a single bite.

Rich chocolate chunks nestled within thick, golden-brown dough create an irresistible sensory experience.

Dense and decadent, these cookies deliver a remarkable balance between crunch and softness.

You’ll find this recipe elevates the classic chocolate chip cookie to an art form.

Come discover the magic that makes these cookies a true culinary marvel.

Levain-Style Cookies That Are Thick, Gooey, And Iconic

• Elevate Baking Skills: Perfect for home bakers wanting to upgrade their cookie-making technique with professional-level results.
• Indulgent Texture Magic: Delivers incredibly thick, crispy-edged cookies with gooey, soft centers that melt in your mouth, creating a luxurious dessert experience.
• Quick Gourmet Treat: Takes only 25 minutes from start to finish, allowing busy home cooks to whip up bakery-quality cookies without extensive preparation time.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Universally loved by both kids and adults, making these cookies ideal for family gatherings, potlucks, or casual weekend treats.

Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies Ingredient Set

• Butter (Cold): The base fat that provides richness and helps create a tender cookie texture. European-style or high-fat content butter works best.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sweeteners that contribute to the cookie's flavor and help with caramelization. Light or dark brown sugar can be used.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and add structure to the cookies. Room temperature eggs mix more easily.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with its warm, sweet notes. Pure vanilla extract recommended over artificial flavoring.

• All-Purpose Flour: The primary structure for the cookie. Unbleached flour provides the best texture.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Leavening agents that help the cookies rise and spread. Fresh, unexpired ingredients are crucial.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies other flavors in the cookie.

• Chocolate Chips, Chopped Walnuts: Add texture, crunch, and additional flavor layers. Semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips work well, and walnuts are optional but recommended for extra depth.

Baking Levain-Style Chocolate Chip Cookies Just Right

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a blazing 410°F and grab a baking sheet.

Line it with parchment paper for ultimate cookie magic.

Step 2: Blend Butter and Sugars

• Cold butter cubes
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar

Whip these until they transform into a creamy, dreamy mixture.

Step 3: Awaken the Eggs

Drop in eggs one by one, mixing thoroughly after each.

Pour in vanilla extract and stir until everything looks silky smooth.

Step 4: Create Dry Magic

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

Make sure everything is perfectly blended.

Step 5: Marry Wet and Dry Ingredients

Slowly mix dry ingredients into the wet mixture.

Stir gently – don’t go crazy with mixing.

Step 6: Chocolate Chip Party

Fold in chocolate chips and chopped walnuts if you’re feeling adventurous.

Let the ingredients mingle and get cozy.

Step 7: Scoop and Spread

Use an ice cream scoop to create perfectly rounded cookie mounds.

Space them generously on the baking sheet.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the tray into the oven.

Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges turn golden but centers stay soft and gooey.

Step 9: Cool and Conquer

Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 10 minutes.

Transfer to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely before devouring.

Cookie Tricks to Match Levain Bakery Texture

• Refrigerate the cookie dough for at least 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and enhance flavor development.
• Use a large ice cream scoop for consistent, bakery-style massive cookies that are thick and gooey in the center.
• Gently press extra chocolate chips on top of each dough ball before baking to create picture-perfect chocolate coverage.
• Keep the high 410°F temperature to create crispy edges while maintaining a soft, undercooked center typical of Levain-style cookies.
• Roughly shape the dough balls for a rustic, handmade appearance that mimics the original Levain bakery aesthetic.

Store Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies

• Store cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Keep fresh for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Freeze for up to 3 months without losing flavor or texture.
• Warm in microwave for 10-15 seconds or in oven at 300°F for 3-5 minutes to restore softness and bring back that fresh-baked taste.
• Let frozen cookies thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving for best flavor and optimal texture.

What to Enjoy with Levain Chocolate Chip Cookies

• Pair with Cold Milk: Creamy milk perfectly balances the rich, warm chocolate chip cookies, cutting through the sweetness and providing a classic, comforting combination.
• Complement with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Smooth, cold vanilla ice cream creates a delightful temperature contrast against the freshly baked warm cookies, enhancing their decadent chocolate flavor.
• Match with Espresso Martini: For adult gatherings, a smooth espresso martini offers a sophisticated coffee kick that beautifully highlights the cookie's deep chocolate and nutty undertones.
• Serve with Caramel Latte: A warm caramel latte adds a luxurious sweetness that harmonizes with the cookie's buttery texture and chocolate chips, creating a indulgent dessert experience.

Levain Cookies with Chunky Mix-Ins

• Nutty Chocolate Chip Delight: Replace walnuts with pecans or almonds for a different nutty crunch and rich flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Cookie Haven: Swap all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend, ensuring those with wheat sensitivities can enjoy these delectable treats.
• Vegan Cookie Paradise: Substitute butter with coconut oil, use flax eggs instead of traditional eggs, and select dairy-free chocolate chips to create a plant-based version of this classic cookie.
• Low-Sugar Option: Reduce granulated and brown sugar quantities, incorporating monk fruit sweetener or stevia to lower overall sugar content while maintaining delicious taste.

FAQs

• Why are these cookies so thick and large?

The large size comes from using an ice cream scoop to portion the dough, creating those signature oversized Levain-style cookies that are chunky and substantial.

• How do cold ingredients impact the cookie texture?

Cold butter helps prevent cookie spread and creates a denser, more structured cookie with a crispy exterior and soft, gooey center.

• Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the cookie dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 2 months, which actually enhances the flavor development.

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

The high baking temperature, large dough portions, and specific mixing technique create a uniquely thick, crispy-on-the-outside and soft-on-the-inside cookie that’s different from traditional recipes.

Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 35 reviews

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

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Description

Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies deliver ultimate indulgence with their massive, gooey centers and crisp golden edges. Chocolate lovers will savor each luxurious bite of these iconic New York treats that bring pure baking magic to your kitchen.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

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

Sugars:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup light brown sugar

Leavening and Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare workstation by gathering all ingredients and equipment, ensuring cold butter and room temperature eggs are ready for mixing.
2. Create a creamy base by blending frigid butter cubes with both sugar varieties until the mixture transforms into a smooth, light texture.
3. Introduce eggs individually, whisking thoroughly after each addition to maintain a consistent emulsion, then incorporate vanilla extract for depth of flavor.
4. Sift together dry ingredients – flour, leavening agents, and salt – in a separate vessel to eliminate potential lumps and ensure even distribution.
5. Merge wet and dry components gently, stirring minimally to prevent gluten development, which could compromise the cookie’s tender crumb.
6. Delicately fold chocolate chips and optional walnuts throughout the dough, ensuring even dispersion for consistent taste and texture.
7. Utilize a hefty ice cream scoop to create generously sized dough mounds, positioning them strategically on parchment-lined baking sheets with ample spacing.
8. Position cookie-laden sheets in a scorching 410°F oven, monitoring closely to achieve golden-edged, pillowy-centered masterpieces within 10-12 minutes.
9. Allow cookies to rest momentarily on baking sheets, facilitating slight setting, before transferring to a cooling rack for complete temperature reduction.

Notes

• Chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking helps prevent spreading and enhances the cookies’ rich, complex flavor profile.
• For gluten-free options, swap traditional flour with a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to maintain the cookie’s signature texture.
• Experimenting with different chocolate types like dark, milk, or even white chocolate can create unique flavor variations while keeping the classic Levain style.
• To achieve the bakery’s signature massive cookie size, use a 1/2 cup measuring scoop and slightly flatten the dough mounds before baking for that perfect thick and gooey center.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg