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Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies – Bake the Legendary New York Cookie at Home
A Cookie That Took New York (and the World) by Storm
Few cookies have achieved legendary status quite like the chocolate chip cookies at New York City’s Levain Bakery. Renowned for their massive size, gooey interior, and thick, craggy exterior, these treats have inspired countless copycats and an almost cult-like following. With this recipe, you can recreate the iconic Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookie at home—no airfare required!
Levain cookies aren’t your average chocolate chip cookie. They’re crisp on the outside, soft and almost under-baked in the middle, and bursting with chocolate chips and chunky walnuts. The secret is using cold butter, a short mix time, and baking at a higher temperature. The result is a bakery-style cookie that’s simply unforgettable.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Thick and gooey: Achieves the perfect Levain-style texture every time.
- Loaded with chocolate and nuts: Every bite is full of melty chocolate and a satisfying crunch.
- Easy to make at home: No fancy equipment or ingredients needed.
- Perfect for sharing: Makes giant bakery-sized cookies that are ideal for celebrations and gifts.
- Customizable: Adapt the mix-ins to your preferences—see our creative variations below!
Ingredients
- 1 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips or chocolate chunks
- 2 cups walnuts, roughly chopped (optional but authentic)
The Levain Secret: Nuts in Your Cookies?
One of the authentic signatures of Levain Bakery’s chocolate chip cookies is the generous amount of walnuts in the dough. The nuts add not only flavor and crunch, but also keep the cookie tall and chunky. If you want the true Levain experience, don’t skip them! If you’re not a fan of walnuts or are baking for nut allergies, simply omit the nuts or swap for pecans, macadamias, or even extra chocolate chips.
- Classic style: Use 2 cups of roughly chopped walnuts for bakery authenticity.
- Nut-free: Omit nuts or replace with sunflower seeds or additional chocolate chips.
- Other ideas: Pecans, hazelnuts, or a mix of dark and milk chocolate chips work beautifully.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep for Baking
Preheat your oven to 410°F (210°C)—higher than usual to set the cookie edges and keep the centers gooey. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cream Butter and Sugars
Add the cold, cubed butter to a large mixing bowl (a stand mixer is ideal but a hand mixer will work). Add the granulated sugar and light brown sugar. Beat on medium speed just until combined—the mixture will still have small butter chunks, which is what you want for a chunky texture. Don’t overmix or let the butter soften completely.
3. Add Eggs and Vanilla
Add the eggs and vanilla extract. Mix on low until just incorporated. The dough will still look a bit rough and lumpy—perfect!
4. Add Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix on low until just combined. Do not overmix.
5. Add Chocolate Chips and Nuts
Fold in the chocolate chips (and walnuts, if using) with a spatula or wooden spoon. The dough will be thick and chunky, packed with chocolate and nuts.
6. Shape the Cookies
Divide the dough into 12–16 large balls (about 1/4 cup or 4 oz each for authentic Levain size). The dough balls should be rough and tall—don’t flatten them. Space well apart on the baking sheets.
7. Bake
Bake in the preheated oven for 9–12 minutes. The edges should be golden brown while the centers still look soft and slightly underdone. The cookies will finish setting as they cool. For a gooier center, bake closer to 9 minutes; for firmer cookies, leave a minute or two longer.
8. Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for at least 10–15 minutes—they’re very soft when hot! Serve warm for gooey chocolate, or let cool completely for the best chunky bakery texture.
Tips for Bakery-Style Success
- Use cold butter for the right texture; don’t let it soften first.
- Handle the dough as little as possible to keep the cookies thick and tall.
- Use high-quality chocolate chips or a mix of chocolate chunks for gooey, melty pockets throughout.
- If your kitchen is very warm, chill the shaped dough balls in the fridge for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading.
- Don’t overbake—the cookies should look slightly underdone in the middle when you remove them from the oven.
Creative Variations
- Double Chocolate: Swap 1/2 cup flour for unsweetened cocoa powder for a rich chocolate base.
- White Chocolate Macadamia: Use white chocolate chips and macadamia nuts for a sweet, tropical twist.
- Salted Caramel: Add a few soft caramel bits and finish with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt after baking.
- Peanut Butter Swirl: Drop small dollops of peanut butter between dough layers before shaping into balls.
Storing and Freezing
Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze baked cookies or raw dough balls for up to 2 months. To bake from frozen, add 2–3 minutes to the bake time.
Serving Ideas
- Serve warm with a tall glass of cold milk—pure comfort food!
- Stack cookies for a bakery-style dessert platter at parties or bake sales.
- Sandwich vanilla ice cream between two cookies for the ultimate ice cream treat.
- Wrap cookies in parchment and tie with twine for a charming edible gift.
Why These Cookies Are Worth the Hype
Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies aren’t just cookies—they’re an experience. The massive size, rich flavor, gooey center, and crunch from walnuts make them a true treat for anyone who tries them. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or new to the kitchen, this recipe will help you achieve those coveted bakery-style cookies that taste like they came straight from New York City.
With easy-to-find ingredients, a simple mixing method, and bakery results every time, these cookies are perfect for holidays, special occasions, or any day you want to make a little extra special.
Levain Cookies: A Treat for Every Occasion
There’s something magical about the way these cookies fit every moment—whether you’re celebrating a birthday, surprising your family after dinner, or packing a special treat in a lunchbox. Their impressive size and irresistible gooey centers make them a showstopper at bake sales or cookie swaps. Plus, their rich flavor satisfies any sweet tooth with just one (giant!) cookie.
Hosting friends? Serve a batch of warm Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies with bowls of vanilla ice cream and fresh fruit for an easy dessert everyone will rave about. Or, pair a freshly baked cookie with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate on a cozy afternoon at home.
Make-Ahead & Gifting Tips
- Make-ahead: Prepare the dough balls in advance and store them in the fridge for up to 2 days, or freeze for longer. Bake straight from the fridge or freezer for spontaneous treats.
- Gifting: These cookies make a memorable homemade gift. Wrap each one in parchment, place in a box, and tie with a colorful ribbon for birthdays, holidays, or “just because.”
Cookies travel well and stay delicious for days, making them perfect for care packages or sharing with friends and family far away.
Troubleshooting Your Cookies
- Cookies spreading too much? Make sure your butter is cold, don’t overmix the dough, and chill dough balls before baking if your kitchen is warm.
- Centers not gooey enough? Bake for a minute less and remember—the cookies will continue to set as they cool on the baking sheet.
- Too doughy in the middle? Make your dough balls slightly smaller, or increase bake time by 1–2 minutes, checking frequently at the end.
Remember, every oven bakes a little differently—don’t hesitate to adjust the time by a minute or two for your perfect result.
Why Levain Cookies Went Viral
The secret behind Levain Bakery’s cookie fame? It’s all about the experience: giant, hand-formed cookies that are both rustic and luxurious. The blend of gooey chocolate, nutty crunch, and that signature golden crust created a social media sensation. Foodies and home bakers around the world have tried to unlock the secret, but with this recipe, you’re as close as it gets to the real thing!
Baking these cookies at home lets you enjoy bakery-style results fresh from your own oven, anytime the craving strikes. They’re impressive, decadent, and sure to bring smiles wherever you serve them.
A Cookie for the Ages
Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies aren’t just a fleeting trend—they’re a new classic. The combination of size, texture, and indulgent ingredients ensures these cookies will stay popular for generations. Once you try them, it’s hard to go back to ordinary chocolate chip cookies!
Share Your Cookie Creations!
If you bake a batch of these cookies, don’t forget to share your experience in the comments or tag your photos on social media. Everyone loves seeing creative twists, fun mix-ins, or just gooey chocolate centers—these cookies are too good to keep to yourself!
Thank you for visiting! Happy baking and enjoy every thick, melty, bakery-style bite.