Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Heavenly Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Crafting the perfect Levain Bakery chocolate chip cookies requires a delicate balance of culinary magic and passion.

Passionate bakers know these cookies stand apart from ordinary treats.

Massive, golden-brown beauties boast crisp edges and gooey centers that melt in your mouth.

Butter, chocolate, and carefully selected ingredients create a symphony of flavor.

Each bite promises a nostalgic journey through decadent textures and rich sensations.

chocolate lovers will absolutely adore this authentic recreation of the legendary new york Bakery most famous creation.

You can recreate Bakery-quality magic right in your own kitchen with this foolproof recipe.

FAQs

  • Why are these cookies different from regular chocolate chip cookies?

These cookies are larger, thicker, and have a unique texture with crispy edges and a gooey, soft center due to the cold butter technique and high baking temperature.

  • Can I use other types of chocolate in this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute chocolate chips with chocolate chunks, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or a mix of different chocolate types to customize the flavor.

  • Do I really need to chill the dough before baking?

Chilling helps prevent spreading, creates a more concentrated flavor, and ensures the thick, bakery-style cookie texture by keeping the butter cold during baking.

  • What makes these cookies have such a rich taste?

The combination of cold butter, brown and white sugar, and a specific ratio of ingredients creates a deep, caramelized flavor profile that sets these cookies apart from standard recipes.

What Makes Levain Chocolate Chip Cookies Famous

  • Savor Homemade Goodness: Craft a delightful dessert from scratch with fresh ingredients that capture the essence of summer strawberries and rich vanilla.
  • Master Gourmet Techniques: Learn professional-level ice cream making with simple steps that transform basic ingredients into a luxurious treat anyone can create.
  • Customize Your Dessert: Personalize the recipe by adjusting sweetness, experimenting with strawberry ripeness, or adding extra mix-ins like chocolate chips or chopped nuts.
  • Impress Family and Friends: Serve a restaurant-quality dessert that showcases your culinary skills and creates memorable moments around the dinner table.

What Goes in Levain Chocolate Chip Cookies

For the Fats:
  • Cold Butter: A key ingredient that provides rich flavor and helps create a tender, flaky texture in the cookies.
For the Sweeteners:
  • Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: These sugars work together to create a deep, caramelized sweetness and help achieve the signature chewy texture.
For the Binding Ingredients:
  • Eggs: These help bind the ingredients and add moisture to the cookie dough.
For the Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: The main structure of the cookie, providing the base for the recipe.
  • Cornstarch: Helps to create a softer, more tender cookie texture.
  • Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and spread during baking.
  • Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cookies.
For the Mix-Ins:
  • Chocolate Chips: The star ingredient that provides bursts of rich chocolate throughout the cookie.
  • Walnuts: Optional ingredient that adds a nutty crunch and extra depth of flavor.

Steps to Bake Levain Chocolate Chip Cookies

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Fire up your oven to 400°F and grab a baking sheet. Line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.

Step 2: Cream Butter And Sugars

Grab your mixing bowl and beat the cold butter with brown and white sugars until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. The cold butter is the secret to that incredible Levain texture.

Step 3: Incorporate Eggs

Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. This helps create a silky, uniform batter that will make your cookies irresistible.

Step 4: Prepare Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together these dry ingredients:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Cornstarch
  • Baking soda
  • Salt

Ensure everything is well combined with no lumps.

Step 5: Combine Wet And Dry Mixtures

Slowly blend the dry ingredients into the wet mixture.

Mix until just combined – don’t overmix or your cookies might become tough.

Step 6: Add Delicious Mix-Ins

Gently fold in:
  • Chocolate chips
  • Chopped walnuts (optional)

Distribute ingredients evenly throughout the dough.

Step 7: Shape And Chill Cookies

Scoop out generously sized dough balls onto your prepared baking sheet. Pop the sheet in the refrigerator and let the dough chill for 30 minutes.

This helps develop rich flavors and prevents spreading.

Step 8: Bake To Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven.

Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges turn golden brown but the center remains gooey and soft.

Step 9: Cool And Enjoy

Allow cookies to rest for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Serve warm and watch everyone’s eyes light up!

  • Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes to prevent spreading and ensure thick, bakery-style cookies with crispy edges and soft centers.
  • Use cold butter directly from the refrigerator to create a more structured cookie that maintains its height during baking.
  • Opt for high-quality chocolate chips or chunks for richer flavor and better melting texture throughout the cookie.
  • Experiment with different nuts like pecans or macadamia nuts as alternatives to walnuts for a unique twist on the classic recipe.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain their freshness and soft texture.
  • Nutty Chocolate Chunk Variation: Replace chocolate chips with a mix of dark chocolate chunks and chopped pecans for a rich, crunchy texture.
  • Sea Salt Caramel Spin: Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top and add caramel bits to the dough for a sweet and salty flavor profile.
  • Double Chocolate Blast: Incorporate cocoa powder into the flour mixture and use both milk and dark chocolate chips for intense chocolate lovers.
  • Gluten-Free Comfort: Swap regular flour with a gluten-free blend and use almond flour for added nuttiness and softer texture.

Best Ways to Present These Cookies

Cozy Cookie Companion Plating:
  • Serve warm cookies on a rustic wooden board with a cold glass of milk for a nostalgic comfort treat.
  • Pair with vanilla bean ice cream for a decadent dessert experience that melts perfectly together.
  • Create a cookie gift package by stacking 3-4 cookies in a clear cellophane wrap with a satin ribbon for a charming homemade present.
  • Arrange cookies on a vintage cake stand with fresh berries and a light dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant afternoon tea presentation.

How to Keep Cookies Soft and Chewy

  • Place cooled cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Cookies stay fresh for up to 5 days when chilled.
  • Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. Frozen cookies maintain quality for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before enjoying.
  • Shape cookie dough into balls and place on a baking sheet. Freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Frozen dough keeps well for 3 months. Bake directly from frozen state, adding 2-3 extra minutes to baking time.
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Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 18 reviews

  • Total Time: 52 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Levain bakery chocolate chip cookies showcase a legendary New York treat. Cookie lovers savor these massive, gooey masterpieces with crisp edges and molten chocolate centers that you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (226 g) cold unsalted butter, cubed
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 3/4 cups (350 g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups (340 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 3/4 cup (150 g) brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (100 g) walnuts (optional)
  • 1 tbsp (8 g) cornstarch
  • 3/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Activate the oven to 400F (200C) and arrange parchment paper across the baking sheet for optimal cookie preparation.
  2. Utilize a mixing bowl to thoroughly cream cold butter with brown and granulated sugars until achieving a smooth, uniform consistency.
  3. Incorporate eggs individually, ensuring complete integration after each addition.
  4. Separately combine flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt through vigorous whisking to distribute ingredients evenly.
  5. Methodically blend dry mixture into wet ingredients, creating a cohesive dough without overmixing.
  6. Gently fold chocolate chips and walnuts throughout the dough, distributing ingredients uniformly.
  7. Create generously sized dough spheres and position them strategically on the prepared baking sheet, then refrigerate for 30 minutes to enhance flavor development and texture.
  8. Transfer chilled cookie dough to preheated oven, baking for 10-12 minutes until edges transform to golden brown while maintaining a soft, gooey interior.
  9. Allow cookies to rest momentarily on baking sheet, enabling slight cooling and structural stabilization before transferring to serving platter.

Notes

  • Chill the dough to prevent spreading and create thick, bakery-style cookies with crispy edges and soft centers.
  • Use cold butter directly from the refrigerator to achieve the signature dense, rich texture of Levain-style cookies.
  • For gluten-free options, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to maintain the cookie’s structure and taste.
  • Try different chocolate varieties like dark, milk, or white chocolate chips to customize the flavor profile and keep the cookies exciting.
  • Prep Time: 40 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 267
  • Sugar: 18 g
  • Sodium: 93 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 33 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 35 mg
Jess Martinez

Jess Martinez

Contributing Recipe Writer & Nutrition Consultant

Expertise

Southwestern and Latin American cooking, Nutritional analysis and healthy recipe planning, Cultural food traditions, Modifying traditional dishes for better health

Education

Santa Fe Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts

Focused on mastering the flavors and cooking methods of traditional Southwestern cuisine.


Jess’s love for bold, homegrown flavors led her straight into the world of Southwestern cooking and cultural nutrition.
After completing her Certificate in Culinary Arts at Santa Fe Community College, she made it her mission to show that good-for-you food can still taste incredible.
At saltytart.com, Jess shares vibrant, health-conscious recipes with roots in tradition but a fresh, modern twist. When she’s not testing new recipes, you’ll find her at local growers’ markets, tending her herb garden, or digging into food history books.

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