The Famous Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe At Home

Chocolate chip cookies have a magical way of transporting us back to childhood kitchens, and this levain bakery chocolate chip cookies recipe captures that nostalgic essence perfectly.

Crafted with precision and love, these cookies boast a legendary status among bakery enthusiasts.

The secret lies in their massive size and incredible texture that balances crisp edges with an irresistibly gooey center.

Professional bakers and home cooks alike have attempted to recreate this iconic New York City bakery’s signature treat.

Each bite promises a decadent blend of rich chocolate and buttery dough that melts in your mouth.

These cookies aren’t just a dessert; they’re an experience that elevates the humble chocolate chip cookie to an art form.

Levain Bakery Cookies, Why They’re Loved

• Craft Massive Cookies: Create jaw-dropping, oversized chocolate chip cookies that stand out from typical small rounds, delivering a wow factor for cookie lovers.
• Nail Bakery-Style Perfection: Replicate the famous Levain Bakery technique with crispy edges and gooey centers, bringing professional-level baking right to your kitchen.
• Quick Preparation Magic: Mix ingredients in minutes with simple steps, requiring minimal baking skills while producing restaurant-quality results that will impress family and friends.
• Customize Your Delight: Easily swap walnuts for other mix-ins like pecans or dark chocolate chunks, making this recipe versatile for personal taste preferences and dietary needs.

Levain Bakery Cookie Ingredient Essentials

• All-Purpose Flour, Cake Flour: The perfect blend creates a soft and tender cookie texture.
• Baking Soda, Baking Powder: These leavening agents help the cookies rise and achieve a light, fluffy consistency.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cookies.

• Butter: Provides rich flavor and contributes to the cookie's tender crumb.
• Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a chewy, caramelized texture.

• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add moisture to the cookie dough.
• Chocolate Chips, Walnuts: Bring delightful texture and bursts of flavor to the classic chocolate chip cookie.

Steps to Make Levain Bakery Cookies

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to a toasty 400°F.

Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper to create a perfect non-stick surface for your soon-to-be-amazing cookies.

Step 2: Create the Dry Blend

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

Blend these ingredients until they’re perfectly combined and look like a smooth, unified mixture.

Step 3: Cream the Sweet Base

• Softened butter
• Brown sugar
• Granulated sugar

Mix until the ingredients are just combined, creating a creamy and luscious base for your cookies.

Step 4: Introduce the Eggs

Add eggs one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture.

Gently mix each egg until it’s completely incorporated, creating a smooth and silky texture.

Step 5: Merge Dry and Wet Ingredients

Gradually add the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients.

Mix until everything is just combined – don’t overmix!

You want a tender, soft cookie texture.

Step 6: Fold in the Goodies

• Chocolate chips
• Chopped walnuts

Use a light touch to distribute these delicious morsels throughout the dough without crushing them.

Step 7: Shape the Cookies

Divide the dough into large 6-ounce balls.

Place these generous cookie portions onto your prepared baking sheet, giving each one enough space to spread.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven.

Bake for 9-12 minutes, watching for golden-brown edges while keeping the center soft and gooey.

Remove and let cool slightly before devouring these heavenly treats.

Pro Tips for Big Chocolate Chip Cookies

• Refrigerate the cookie dough for at least 30 minutes to prevent spreading and enhance flavor development.
• Select premium dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips for a rich, intense taste that elevates the entire cookie.
• Keep the 6-ounce dough balls to achieve the signature Levain Bakery thick, bakery-style texture and crispy exterior.
• Watch cookies closely during the 9-12 minute window to achieve the perfect golden-brown edges with a soft, gooey center.
• Swap walnuts with pecans or macadamia nuts for a personalized twist while maintaining the classic cookie structure.

Levain Cookie Variations for Fun

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace all-purpose and cake flour with gluten-free flour blend, ensuring same texture and weight for optimal cookie performance.
• Vegan Adaptation: Swap butter with coconut oil, use flax eggs instead of regular eggs, and select dairy-free chocolate chips for plant-based cookie lovers.
• Nut-Free Option: Remove walnuts completely or substitute with sunflower seeds for those with nut allergies while maintaining original cookie structure.
• Low-Sugar Alternative: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia blend in place of brown and granulated sugars, reducing overall sugar content without compromising cookie taste.

Serving Up Levain Bakery Cookies

• Cookie Companion Pairings: Serve these giant cookies with a cold glass of milk for the ultimate classic comfort experience.
• Dessert Upgrade: Crumble the cookies over vanilla ice cream to create a decadent sundae with rich chocolate chunks and nutty texture.
• Gourmet Gift Idea: Stack cookies in a clear cellophane bag tied with a rustic ribbon for a homemade, heartwarming present that showcases your baking skills.
• Coffee Shop Style: Enjoy these cookies alongside a freshly brewed espresso or cappuccino to elevate the indulgent chocolate and walnut flavors.

Storing Levain Bakery Cookies at Home

• Place cooled cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper between layers. Keep fresh for up to 5 days at 40°F or below.
• Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then store in freezer-safe ziplock bags. Freeze for maximum 3 months without losing quality or taste.
• Store cookies in sealed container at room temperature for 2-3 days, keeping away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
• Warm cookies in microwave for 10-15 seconds or place in preheated 350°F oven for 3-4 minutes to restore fresh-baked texture and melty chocolate chips.

FAQs

• What makes Levain Bakery cookies different from regular chocolate chip cookies?

Levain cookies are known for their massive size, crispy exterior, and gooey center, using a unique combination of all-purpose and cake flour to create a thick, chunky texture.

• How do I ensure my cookies turn out like the original Levain Bakery recipe?

Use cold butter, don’t overmix the dough, create large 6-ounce cookie balls, and bake at a high temperature to achieve the signature crisp edges and soft middle.

• Can I substitute the walnuts in the recipe?

Yes, you can replace walnuts with other nuts like pecans or completely omit them if you prefer a nut-free version of the cookie.

Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 19 reviews

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

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Levain Bakery chocolate chip cookies bring New York City’s legendary bakery magic right to kitchen counters. Massive, thick, and packed with chocolate chunks, these cookies deliver pure indulgence with crisp edges and gooey centers you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 2 large eggs, cold

Dry Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup cake flour
• 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

Leavening and Seasoning:

• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the oven at 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal cookie baking.
2. Combine all dry ingredients in a mixing bowl, whisking flour types, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until thoroughly blended.
3. Cream butter with brown and granulated sugars in a separate large mixing bowl, ensuring a smooth and uniform texture.
4. Incorporate eggs individually into the butter-sugar mixture, mixing until each is fully integrated.
5. Gradually introduce dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring carefully to create a consistent dough without overmixing.
6. Gently fold chocolate chips and walnuts into the dough, distributing them evenly throughout without disrupting the dough’s structure.
7. Shape the dough into substantial 6-ounce balls, placing them strategically on the prepared baking sheet with ample spacing.
8. Bake cookies for 9-12 minutes, watching for golden-brown edges while maintaining a soft, tender center.

Notes

• Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and enhance flavor development.
• Use cold butter cut into cubes for a more structured cookie that maintains its thick, bakery-style shape during baking.
• Create gluten-free version by substituting all-purpose and cake flour with a high-quality gluten-free flour blend, ensuring 1:1 replacement ratio.
• For a nut-free option, simply omit walnuts or swap with additional chocolate chips or toasted seeds for extra crunch and texture.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 48
• Calories: 250 kcal
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 33 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg