The Famous Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe At Home

Crafting the ultimate Levain Bakery chocolate chip cookies demands passion and precision for home bakers seeking decadent delights.

Massive, golden-edged cookies with gooey centers have become legendary among sweet treat enthusiasts.

Professional pastry techniques merge with simple ingredients to create extraordinary results.

Each carefully measured component contributes to the cookie’s remarkable texture and depth of flavor.

chocolate chunks melt into rich pools, promising indulgence in every substantial bite.

Crisp exterior gives way to a tender, almost undercooked center that defines these iconic cookies.

You’ll want to experience this transformative recipe that brings Bakery magic straight to your kitchen.

FAQs

• Why are these cookies so large?

The oversized 4-6 oz cookie balls create Levain’s signature massive, thick cookies with crispy edges and gooey centers, mimicking the original bakery’s famous style.

• Can I use different types of chocolate?

Absolutely! While the recipe calls for chocolate chips, you can experiment with milk, dark, or semi-sweet chocolate chunks to customize your cookie flavor profile.

• Do I really need both all-purpose and cake flour?

Yes, combining these flours creates the perfect texture – cake flour adds softness while all-purpose provides structure, resulting in a more complex and tender cookie.

• How do I get that perfect golden-brown exterior?

Baking at a high temperature of 400F and using cold butter helps achieve the crispy exterior while maintaining a soft, gooey interior that Levain Bakery is known for.

What’s Great About Levain Chocolate Chip Cookies

• Craft Massive Cookies: Create enormous, bakery-style chocolate chip cookies that are thick, chunky, and guaranteed to satisfy serious sweet cravings with generous proportions.
• Master Bakery-Level Technique: Learn professional baking methods like using cold butter, mixing ingredients precisely, and creating perfectly textured cookies that rival famous bakery standards.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Whip up a batch of impressive cookies that will wow family and friends, perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or spontaneous dessert moments with minimal kitchen effort.
• Customizable Delight: Easily adapt the recipe by adding or removing nuts, experimenting with different chocolate chip varieties, or adjusting sizes to match personal preference and baking style.

Levain Chocolate Chip Cookies Ingredient List

• All-Purpose Flour: A foundational ingredient that provides structure to the cookie.
• Cake Flour: Adds softness and delicate texture to the cookie.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise and become light.
• Baking Soda: Assists in browning and creating a tender crumb.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cookies.

• Cold Butter: Creates a rich, dense texture and helps maintain the cookie's shape.
• Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and deep caramel-like sweetness.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with cookie crispness.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add richness.

• Chocolate Chips, Walnuts: Add texture, crunch, and extra flavor to the classic chocolate chip cookie.

How to Make Levain Chocolate Chip Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Warm up the oven to 400°F (200°C).

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

Step 2: Create Dry Ingredient Blend

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

Combine these ingredients until they’re evenly mixed.

Step 3: Cream Sugars and Butter

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

Mix until the texture becomes smooth and creamy.

Step 4: Incorporate Eggs

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

Ensure each egg blends completely into the butter-sugar mixture.

Step 5: Merge Dry and Wet Ingredients

Slowly fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients.

Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.

Step 6: Add Chocolate and Nuts

• Chocolate chips
• Chopped walnuts (optional)

Distribute ingredients evenly throughout the dough.

Step 7: Form Cookie Dough Balls

Create large cookie dough balls, each weighing approximately 4-6 ounces.

Place them carefully on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each ball.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven.

Bake for 9-12 minutes until the edges turn golden brown while the center remains soft and slightly gooey.

Step 9: Cool and Enjoy

Remove cookies from the oven and let them rest for 10 minutes.

This allows them to set and become wonderfully chewy.

Serve and savor the deliciousness.

Tips for Baking Levain Chocolate Chip Cookies Just Right

• Refrigerate the cookie dough for at least 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and enhance flavor development.
• Select premium chocolate chips or chunks for richer, more intense chocolate flavor and better melting texture.
• Use a kitchen scale to weigh flour and chocolate chips for consistent, bakery-style results every time.
• Create large, 4-6 oz cookie dough balls to achieve the signature Levain Bakery thick and chunky cookie appearance.
• Allow cookies to rest at room temperature for 10 minutes after baking to set the structure and develop a perfect crispy-soft texture.

Flavor Ideas for Levain Chocolate Chip Cookies

• Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies: Replace all-purpose and cake flour with gluten-free flour blend, ensuring a celiac-friendly version without compromising texture.
• Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies: Swap butter with coconut oil, use flax eggs instead of regular eggs, and select dairy-free chocolate chips for a plant-based alternative.
• Nutless Wonder Cookies: Eliminate walnuts completely, potentially adding rolled oats for extra texture and crunch without nut allergens.
• Low-Sugar Option: Reduce brown and granulated sugar by half, incorporate monk fruit sweetener or stevia to maintain sweetness while lowering overall sugar content.

What Pairs Well with Levain Chocolate Chip Cookies

• Milk and Cookie Pairing: Serve these giant chocolate chip cookies with a cold glass of whole milk for a classic, nostalgic treat that brings out the rich chocolate flavor.
• Dessert Platter Delight: Create a stunning dessert spread by arranging these cookies alongside vanilla ice cream, fresh berries, and a dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant presentation.
• Coffee Shop Experience: Enjoy these cookies with a hot espresso or cappuccino, letting the warm drink complement the chocolate's deep, sweet notes and create a cozy café-style moment.
• Afternoon Tea Twist: Pack these cookies in a beautiful tin for a delightful afternoon snack, perfect for sharing with friends during a relaxed gathering or weekend get-together.

Saving Levain Chocolate Chip Cookies for Later

• Place cooled cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper, and store for up to 5 days.
• Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag, storing for up to 3 months.
• Keep cookies in a sealed container at room temperature for 2-3 days, ensuring they remain crisp and fresh.
• Warm cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300F for 3-5 minutes to restore their just-baked texture and softness.

Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 22 reviews

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

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Description

Levain bakery chocolate chip cookies emerge as a New York City culinary legend with massive, crisp-edged cookies packed with gooey chocolate chunks. Bakers can recreate this famous treat at home, delivering intense chocolate and butter flavors you’ll savor with each memorable bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cake flour
• 2 cups chocolate chips (semi-sweet or dark)
• 1 cup unsalted butter, cold & cubed
• 2 large eggs, cold

Supporting Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup walnuts (optional)

Leavening and Seasoning:

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

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Instructions

1. Gather all ingredients and equipment to create oversized, bakery-style chocolate chip cookies with a crisp exterior and soft, gooey center.
2. Combine flour varieties, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl, whisking thoroughly to distribute dry ingredients evenly.
3. Cream cold butter with brown and granulated sugars using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes light and slightly fluffy.
4. Incorporate eggs individually, mixing minimally to maintain dough’s delicate texture.
5. Slowly integrate dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined to prevent overmixing.
6. Gently fold chocolate chips and chopped walnuts into the dough, ensuring even distribution.
7. Portion dough into substantial 4-6 ounce spheres, creating generously sized cookies with dramatic height.
8. Arrange cookie dough balls on parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them adequately to allow spreading.
9. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 9-12 minutes, watching for golden-brown edges while maintaining a soft, tender center.
10. Remove from oven and allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, enabling further gentle cooking and structural stabilization.

Notes

• Ensure butter is truly cold to achieve the signature dense, rich texture Levain is famous for.
• Use a kitchen scale for precise 4-6 oz dough portions to maintain consistent cookie size and baking performance.
• Refrigerate dough balls for 15-30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and maintain thick, bakery-style height.
• For gluten-free variation, swap all-purpose and cake flour with a high-quality gluten-free flour blend, adding xanthan gum for better structure.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 191 kcal
• Sugar: 13 g
• Sodium: 83 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 24 mg