Irresistible Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Ever wondered why Levain Bakery chocolate chip cookies have become such a legendary treat among dessert enthusiasts?

Bakers around the world dream about recreating these massive, gooey delights.

Enormous cookies with crisp edges and molten chocolate centers demand serious baking skills.

New York’s famous Bakery sparked a cookie revolution that changed how people think about sweet indulgences.

Soft, thick, and packed with rich chocolate chunks, these cookies break every traditional baking rule.

Professional pastry chefs secretly admire their unique texture and irresistible charm.

You’ll want to pull out your mixing bowl and start this delicious baking adventure right now.

Serving Levain Bakery Cookies With Cold Milk

• Cookie Companion Pairings: Creamy vanilla ice cream creates the perfect contrast to the warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie, melting deliciously with each bite.
• Dessert Wine Match: A light port or sweet dessert wine complements the rich chocolate and nutty walnut notes, elevating the cookie experience with sophisticated flavor harmony.
• Afternoon Indulgence: Pair with a hot cappuccino or strong espresso, letting the cookie's sweetness balance the coffee's robust intensity for a delightful midday treat.
• Gifting Inspiration: Package cookies in a rustic kraft paper box with twine, adding a sprinkle of sea salt on top for a gourmet touch that makes homemade gifts extra special.

Storing Levain Bakery Cookies For Days

• Store cooled cookies in airtight container for up to 5 days. Stack with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
• Scoop portioned dough onto baking sheet, freeze solid. Transfer frozen dough balls to freezer bag, store up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 2-3 minutes to baking time.
• Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bag. Keep frozen for 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before enjoying.
• Warm cookies in microwave for 10-15 seconds or in preheated 350F oven for 3-4 minutes to restore crispy edges and soft center.

FAQs

• Why are these cookies so thick?

The cold butter and technique of minimal mixing creates dense, tall cookies that stay chunky and don’t spread much during baking.

• Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can refrigerate or freeze the cookie dough balls for up to 2 weeks, which actually helps develop deeper flavor and more consistent texture.

• What's special about using cornstarch in this recipe?

Cornstarch helps create a softer, more tender cookie interior while preventing excessive spreading, resulting in a more robust and chewy texture.

• How do I get the signature Levain Bakery cookie look?

Use a rough, rustic shaping method by dropping 1/4 cup portions of dough without smoothing them, keeping the surface uneven and maintaining a tall, chunky appearance.

Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies You’ll Love

• Create Massive Cookies: Indulge in seriously oversized chocolate chip cookies that bring restaurant-quality bakery vibes right to your kitchen.
• Quick Prep Magic: Whip up these delectable treats with simple ingredients and minimal mixing, perfect for spontaneous baking adventures.
• Texture Dream: Enjoy a spectacular combination of crispy edges and gloriously soft, gooey centers that make every bite pure bliss.
• Customizable Delight: Easily swap nuts or add different chocolate types to match your personal flavor preferences and make the recipe uniquely yours.

Gather Ingredients For Levain Bakery Cookie Bakes

• Unsalted Butter: A rich, cold butter that provides a creamy foundation for the cookie's texture.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sweet ingredients that create a deep caramel-like flavor and contribute to the cookie's soft interior.

• All-Purpose Flour: The primary structure builder for the cookie's tender crumb.
• Cornstarch: A secret ingredient that helps create an extra soft and tender cookie texture.
• Baking Soda: The leavening agent that helps the cookies rise and spread perfectly.
• Salt: Enhances and balances the overall sweetness of the cookie.

• Chocolate Chips, Walnuts: Classic mix-ins that add rich chocolate flavor and nutty crunch to the cookie.
• Sea Salt: A finishing touch that elevates the sweet and rich flavors of the cookie.

• Egg, Vanilla Extract: Ingredients that bind the dough together and add depth of flavor to the cookies.

Steps To Make Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies

Step 1: Fire Up The Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350F.

Grab some parchment paper and line your baking sheets, creating a perfect non-stick surface for these heavenly treats.

Step 2: Cream The Foundation

Grab your cold butter and sugar, then whip them together until they become a fluffy dream.

Splash in vanilla and crack an egg, mixing just until everything combines beautifully.

Step 3: Introduce Dry Ingredients

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

Stir until a soft, pillowy dough emerges that looks irresistibly tempting.

Step 4: Welcome Delicious Mix-ins

Tenderly fold in your chocolate and walnuts, giving the dough a quick mix to distribute these flavor champions evenly.

Step 5: Create Cookie Mountains

Scoop out generous quarter-cup portions of dough.

Don’t worry about perfection – keep the shape rustic and uneven for that bakery-style charm.

Step 6: Transform In The Oven

Slide your cookie mountains into the preheated oven.

Bake for 12-14 minutes until the edges turn a gorgeous golden brown.

Once done, let them cool completely.

For a final flavor explosion, sprinkle some sea salt on top.

Tips For Soft Levain Bakery-Style Cookies

• Refrigerate the cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and create thick, bakery-style cookies.
• Use high-quality chocolate chunks or chips for rich, melty pockets of flavor throughout the cookie.
• Keep butter cold and cut into small pieces to achieve the perfect texture and prevent overmixing.
• Use a large cookie scoop or weigh dough to ensure consistent, massive cookies that replicate Levain's signature style.
• Add a light dusting of flaky sea salt after baking to enhance the chocolate's depth and create a gourmet flavor profile.

Cookie Variations For Levain Bakery Chocolate Fans

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend and add xanthan gum for texture stability.
• Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies: Swap butter with coconut oil, use egg replacement like flax egg, and select dairy-free chocolate chips.
• Nutty Alternative: Substitute walnuts with pecans, almonds, or macadamia nuts for different flavor profiles and added crunch.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia instead of traditional sugar, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining sweetness.

Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 29 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies deliver massive, gooey pleasure straight from New York’s famous bakery. Chocolate-packed giants with crisp edges and molten centers promise pure cookie bliss for serious dessert enthusiasts.

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Ingredients

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Dry Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups (280 grams) all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (440 grams) brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon (8 grams) cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• Pinch salt

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 large egg
• 1 stick (1/2 cup or 113 grams) unsalted butter, cold

Mix-ins:

• 1 1/2 cups (255 grams) chocolate chunks
• 1/2 cup (60 grams) chopped walnuts

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating to 350°F and lining baking sheets with parchment paper for optimal non-stick performance.
2. In a mixing bowl, cream cold butter with sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the cookies.
3. Incorporate vanilla extract and egg, blending quickly to maintain the dough’s structure and prevent overworking.
4. Gently fold in flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt, mixing until a soft, cohesive dough develops without excessive stirring.
5. Carefully fold chocolate chunks and chopped walnuts into the dough, distributing ingredients evenly with minimal mixing.
6. Scoop generous 1/4 cup portions of dough onto prepared sheets, allowing rustic, mounded shapes that will contribute to the cookies’ signature thick texture.
7. Position cookie trays in preheated oven and bake for 12-14 minutes, watching for golden edges and slightly soft centers that will continue setting during cooling.
8. Remove from oven and let cookies rest completely on baking sheets, then finish with a delicate sprinkle of flaky sea salt to enhance flavor complexity.

Notes

• Cold butter creates a dense, rich texture that sets these cookies apart from traditional recipes.
• Cornstarch helps keep the cookies soft and prevents them from spreading too thin during baking.
• Walnut pieces add a delightful crunch and nutty depth to the classic chocolate chip cookie experience.
• Sprinkling sea salt on top enhances the sweetness and creates a gourmet bakery-style finish that elevates the entire cookie.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 14 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 238 kcal
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 89 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 17 mg