Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe: Bakery Magic at Home

Chocolate chip cookies from Levain Bakery have become a legendary obsession among dessert enthusiasts nationwide.

Passionate bakers around the world dream of recreating these massive, decadent treats.

Small bakeries struggle to match the unique texture and rich flavor profile of this iconic recipe.

Each carefully crafted cookie promises a perfect balance between crispy edges and soft, gooey centers.

Professional pastry chefs marvel at the precise technique required to achieve such remarkable results.

You’ll find these cookies challenge everything you know about traditional chocolate chip treats.

Prepare to experience a game-changing approach that will revolutionize your baking skills and delight every sweet tooth.

Levain Bakery’s Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies: The Ultimate Treat

• Create Bakery-Style Magic: Transform your kitchen into a professional bakery with these giant, decadent cookies that rival famous New York spots.
• Nail Gourmet Texture: Achieve the perfect balance of crispy edges and gooey centers, delivering a restaurant-quality dessert right at home.
• Master Professional Techniques: Learn how cold butter and precise mixing create bakery-level cookies that impress family and friends with minimal baking skills.
• Customize Your Treat: Easily swap nuts or chocolate types to match personal preferences, making this recipe wonderfully adaptable for any sweet tooth.

Ingredients That Make Levain Bakery Cookies So Decadent

• All Purpose Flour, Bread Flour: A combination of flours that creates the perfect texture and structure for the cookies.
• Cold Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create a sturdy cookie base.
• Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Offer sweetness and contribute to the cookie's soft and chewy texture.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add moisture to the dough.

• Chocolate Chips: Deliver rich, melty chocolate pockets throughout the cookie.
• Walnuts: Add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor to complement the chocolate.

• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Help the cookies rise and achieve a soft, tender interior.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cookie.

Baking Instructions for Soft and Gooey Levain Bakery Cookies

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Turn your oven to 400F and cover a baking sheet with parchment paper. This high temperature helps create the signature crispy exterior while keeping the inside soft and gooey.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

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

Creating a smooth, even blend ensures consistent texture throughout the cookies.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars

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

Beat until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and slightly pale. The cold butter helps create that dense, rich texture Levain is famous for.

Step 4: Add Eggs

Incorporate eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. This helps create a smooth, well-integrated batter.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Slowly add the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined – overmixing can make cookies tough.

Step 6: Fold in Chocolate and Nuts

• Chocolate chips
• Chopped walnuts

Distribute evenly throughout the dough for perfect flavor in every bite.

Step 7: Shape Cookie Dough

Scoop large portions of dough (about 4 ounces each) onto the prepared baking sheet.

Leave plenty of space between each cookie.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes.

Look for golden brown edges with a slightly underbaked center.

Step 9: Cool and Enjoy

Let cookies rest for a few minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a cooling rack.

This helps them set and develop that signature Levain texture.

Tips to Nail the Perfect Texture and Flavor of Levain Cookies

• Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and enhance flavor development.
• Use high-quality chocolate chips and chunks for the most decadent taste and texture in your cookies.
• Measure flour correctly by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling off to avoid dense, dry cookies.
• Keep butter cold but slightly softened for the perfect creaming consistency that creates a tender, rich cookie.
• Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain their incredible texture and freshness.

Fun Ways to Customize Your Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies

• Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies: Replace wheat flour with a blend of almond and coconut flour for a low-carb, gluten-free option.
• Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies: Swap butter with coconut oil, use flax eggs instead of regular eggs, and choose dairy-free chocolate chips.
• Nutty Chocolate Chip Cookies: Substitute walnuts with pecans, almonds, or macadamia nuts for a different crunchy texture.
• Dark Chocolate Espresso Cookies: Add instant espresso powder to the dry ingredients and use dark chocolate chips for a rich, intense flavor profile.

Serving Ideas to Enjoy Levain-Style Cookies Anytime

• Cozy Dessert Pairing: Serve warm cookies alongside a cold glass of milk for a classic, comforting treat that brings back childhood memories.
• Gourmet Ice Cream Sandwich: Create decadent ice cream sandwiches by placing a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream between two slightly cooled cookies for an indulgent dessert.
• Coffee Shop Style Presentation: Dust cookies with powdered sugar and arrange on a rustic wooden board with espresso shots for a café-inspired serving experience that looks Instagram-worthy.
• Gift-Worthy Packaging: Stack cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with twine, adding a personalized gift tag for a homemade touch perfect for birthdays or holiday sharing.

Storage Tips to Maintain Freshness of Homemade Levain Cookies

• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, keeping them soft and delicious.
• Refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 5 days, maintaining their rich chocolate chip texture.
• Freeze cookies in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months, separating layers with parchment paper.
• Reheat frozen or refrigerated cookies by microwaving for 10-15 seconds or warming in a 350°F oven for 3-5 minutes until just heated through.

FAQs

• Why are cold butter and large scoops important in this recipe?

Cold butter creates pockets of fat that make the cookies dense and thick, while large 4-ounce scoops ensure the signature Levain Bakery style of tall, chunky cookies with a crispy exterior and gooey center.

• Can I use only all-purpose flour instead of mixing flours?

For the most authentic Levain-style cookie, use a combination of all-purpose and bread flour. The bread flour adds extra protein and helps create a chewier, more substantial texture that makes these cookies famous.

• How do I know when the cookies are perfectly baked?

Look for golden brown edges with a slightly underbaked, gooey center. They should be set on the outside but still soft when you gently press the middle. Remember, they’ll continue cooking slightly after removing from the oven.

Easy Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

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4.8 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 48 1x

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Description

Levain bakery chocolate chip cookie recipe promises a mouthwatering journey through New York City’s most celebrated treat. Massive cookies deliver rich chocolate and buttery notes that satisfy serious dessert cravings you cannot resist.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cookies:

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

Flours and Leavening Agents:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup cake flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Sugars and Fats:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating to 400F (200C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal cookie baking.
2. In a mixing bowl, thoroughly combine flour varieties, leavening agents, and seasoning using a whisk to ensure even distribution.
3. Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, blend cold butter with sugar varieties until the mixture becomes light, airy, and slightly pale.
4. Incorporate eggs individually into the butter-sugar mixture, ensuring complete integration after each addition.
5. Gradually introduce dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined to maintain cookie texture.
6. Gently fold chocolate chips and chopped walnuts into the dough, distributing evenly throughout the mixture.
7. Form substantial dough portions (approximately 4 oz each), carefully placing them on the prepared baking sheet with adequate spacing.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, watching for a golden exterior while maintaining a soft, gooey center.
9. Allow cookies to rest briefly on the baking sheet, permitting slight cooling and structural stabilization before transferring to a serving plate.

Notes

• Maintain cold butter for optimal texture, ensuring the cookies stay dense and rich.
• Use high-quality chocolate chips with at least 60% cocoa for deeper, more complex flavor profiles.
• Consider chilling dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and create thicker cookies.
• Experiment with alternative nuts like pecans or macadamia for different taste variations and personal preferences.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 48
• Calories: 223
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 122 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 29 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 28 mg