Dreamy Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe At Home

Ever since discovering this magical levain bakery chocolate chip cookies technique, cookie lovers will swoon over every decadent bite.

Massive chunks of chocolate nestle between crispy exterior edges and incredibly soft centers.

Professional bakers have long celebrated these extraordinary treats from new york.

Massive proportions distinguish these cookies from standard recipes you might find online.

Distinctive ingredients like brown butter and chunky chocolate elevate this classic dessert.

Rich, buttery dough creates an irresistible canvas for premium chocolate pieces.

Baking these legendary cookies promises a transformative experience that will delight your taste buds.

You cannot resist the temptation of these epic, oversized chocolate chip cookies.

Levain Style Cookies That Are Big and Gooey

• Indulgent Bakery-Style Cookies: Capture the essence of famous New York bakery treats right in your kitchen.
• Quick Prep Magic: Whip up these gourmet cookies in just 30 minutes from start to finish, with minimal complicated steps.
• Professional Baker's Secret: Achieve professional-level results using simple techniques like cold butter and precise baking temperature, creating beautifully golden edges with soft, chewy centers.
• Customizable Comfort Food: Easily adapt the recipe by adding nuts or changing chocolate chip varieties to match personal preferences or pantry ingredients.

Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies Ingredient Guide

• Butter, Cold and Cubed: Rich base that creates a creamy texture and helps achieve the signature crisp exterior. European-style or high-fat content butter works best.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sweet components that provide caramelization and depth of flavor. Light or dark brown sugar can be used based on preference.
• Eggs: Binding agent that adds structure and richness to the cookies. Fresh, room temperature eggs blend more smoothly.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile with warm, sweet notes. Pure vanilla extract offers deeper taste compared to imitation.

• All-Purpose Flour: Primary structural component for cookie texture. Use fresh, sifted flour for smoother consistency.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Leavening agents that help cookies rise and spread. Fresh, unexpired leaveners ensure proper rising.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and highlights other flavors. Kosher or fine sea salt recommended.

• Chocolate Chips, Chopped Walnuts: Provide texture, crunch, and additional flavor complexity. High-quality chocolate chips with higher cocoa butter content melt more beautifully. Toasted walnuts offer deeper nutty flavor.

Levain-Style Chocolate Chip Cookie Baking Steps

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to a toasty 410°F and grab a baking sheet.

Line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup and perfect cookie release.

Step 2: Create a Butter Masterpiece

• Cold butter (cubed)
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar

Blend until the mixture looks smooth and creamy like a delicious dream.

Step 3: Introduce the Egg Party

Drop in eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each arrival.

Splash in vanilla extract for that extra flavor magic.

Step 4: Mix the Dry Wonder

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

Create a fluffy dry ingredient symphony.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Worlds

Slowly merge the dry ingredients into the wet mixture.

Stir gently until everything just comes together.

Stop mixing the moment ingredients are incorporated – no overmixing allowed!

Step 6: Chocolate Chip Celebration

Fold in chocolate chips and chopped walnuts.

Let these delicious nuggets dance through the dough.

Step 7: Shape Cookie Dreams

Scoop out generous mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheet.

Give each cookie enough space to spread and grow.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the oven.

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

Step 9: Cool and Enjoy

Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 10 minutes.

Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Prepare for a taste explosion!

Cookie Craftsmanship, Levain Style (Get That Chunky Look!)

• Refrigerate the cookie dough for 30-60 minutes before baking to enhance flavor depth and prevent excessive spreading.
• Mix different chocolate types like dark, milk, and semi-sweet chips for a complex and rich chocolate experience.
• Use a large ice cream scoop for uniform, bakery-style cookies with consistent size and professional appearance.
• Keep butter cold when creaming to maintain structure and prevent flat, greasy cookies that lose their signature thick texture.
• Stir dry ingredients just until combined to prevent tough, dense cookies and maintain a tender, soft crumb.

Chill Levain Chocolate Chip Cookies Again

• Place cooled cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They'll stay fresh for up to 5 days.
• Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months without losing quality or taste.
• Warm refrigerated cookies in a 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes to restore their original soft texture and melty chocolate chips.
• Let frozen cookies thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before enjoying their delicious original flavor.

Drinks for Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies

• Indulgent Milk Pairing: Creamy whole milk perfectly balances the rich chocolate chips, cutting through the sweetness and creating a classic comfort-food experience.
• Gourmet Wine Match: Choose a late-harvest Riesling with subtle sweetness that complements the cookie's chocolate and nutty undertones, elevating the dessert into a sophisticated treat.
• Temperature Contrast Technique: Serve warm cookies alongside cold vanilla bean gelato, where the cool creaminess highlights the cookie's crisp edges and soft center, creating a delightful sensory explosion.
• Coffee Flavor Harmony: Select a medium-roast Colombian coffee with caramel notes that echoes the brown sugar warmth in the cookies, providing a robust counterpoint to the chocolate's richness.

Levain Cookies Chunk Options

• Gluten-Free Paradise: Replace all-purpose flour with a blend of almond flour and gluten-free flour mix for a celiac-friendly version that maintains the cookie's rich texture.
• Vegan Chocolate Dream: Swap butter with coconut oil, use egg replacer or mashed banana, and select dairy-free chocolate chips to create a plant-based cookie without compromising taste.
• Nutty Chocolate Adventure: Substitute walnuts with pecans, almonds, or macadamia nuts for a different crunch and flavor profile while keeping the core recipe intact.
• Low-Sugar Wellness Option: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia blend in place of granulated and brown sugars, paired with dark chocolate chips to reduce overall sugar content while maintaining delicious taste.

FAQs

• Why are the cookies so large?

These cookies are famously oversized, mimicking Levain Bakery’s signature style. An ice cream scoop helps create these massive, bakery-style cookies that weigh about 6 ounces each, giving them their iconic thick and chunky appearance.

• Can I use different types of chocolate?

Absolutely! While the original recipe uses chocolate chips, you can experiment with dark, milk, or semi-sweet chocolate. Chopped chocolate bars work great too, creating delicious melty pockets within the cookie.

• How do I get that perfect crispy exterior and soft interior?

The high baking temperature of 410°F and short baking time create the signature Levain Bakery texture. Keeping the butter cold and not overmixing the dough are key techniques to achieve that perfect crumbly yet soft center.

• Are walnuts necessary for the recipe?

No, walnuts are optional. They add a nice crunch and nutty flavor, but you can easily omit them or substitute with other nuts like pecans if you prefer. The chocolate chips remain the star ingredient of these delicious cookies.

Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies deliver ultimate indulgence with massive, crispy-edged, gooey-centered delights. Cookie lovers will discover New York’s legendary treat, packed with rich chocolate and buttery perfection in each memorable bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

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

Wet and Flavoring Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Leavening and Seasoning Ingredients:

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

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Instructions

1. Crank the oven to a scorching 410°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper, creating a non-stick canvas for your cookie masterpiece.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, vigorously combine cold cubed butter with granulated and light brown sugars until the mixture transforms into a creamy, unified blend.
3. Introduce eggs one at a time, whisking thoroughly after each addition, then infuse with vanilla extract to elevate the flavor profile.
4. Separately, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a pristine bowl, ensuring a uniform dry ingredient mixture.
5. Merge the dry ingredients with the butter mixture, gently folding until just incorporated – avoid overmixing to maintain the cookies’ signature texture.
6. Tenderly fold in semi-sweet chocolate chips and chopped walnuts, distributing them evenly throughout the dough for maximum flavor distribution.
7. Utilize an ice cream scoop to form substantial, rustic mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them generously to allow proper expansion.
8. Slide the cookie-laden sheets into the preheated oven, baking for 10-12 minutes until edges turn a golden amber while centers remain delightfully soft and yielding.
9. Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheets for 10 minutes, enabling them to firm up slightly before transferring to a wire rack for complete cooling.
10. Serve these decadent, substantial cookies and relish in their irresistible, bakery-style indulgence.

Notes

• Chilling dough before baking helps prevent spreading and creates a thicker, more structured cookie with intense flavor development.
• Choosing high-quality chocolate chips dramatically improves overall taste, so opt for premium brands like Guittard or Ghirardelli for richer chocolate experience.
• Substituting half the all-purpose flour with bread flour can increase protein content, resulting in chewier and more robust cookie texture.
• For gluten-sensitive individuals, replace all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to maintain similar structure and taste without compromising dietary needs.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 230
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 85 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg