Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

There’s nothing quite like biting into a thick, gooey Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookie fresh from the oven. With a crisp golden-brown exterior and an irresistibly soft, melty center, these cookies are pure indulgence. If you’ve ever tried the legendary Levain Bakery cookies in New York, you know exactly what I mean!

I remember my first visit to Levain Bakery—standing in line on a chilly afternoon, eagerly anticipating that first bite of warm, chocolate-studded goodness. After one taste, I knew I had to recreate these colossal cookies at home. And after plenty of trial and error, I’ve landed on the perfect homemade version that’s just as rich, thick, and decadent as the real deal.

Why You’ll Love These Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies

Get ready to experience the ultimate chocolate chip cookie! These cookies are unlike any other, and here’s why you’ll fall in love with them:

First, they are extra thick and bakery-style—each cookie is massive, weighing nearly six ounces! The size contributes to their irresistible texture, with a crispy outer crust and a gooey, molten center.

Second, they have the perfect balance of sweetness and richness. A combination of dark brown sugar and granulated sugar creates a deep caramelized flavor, while a generous amount of chocolate chips ensures each bite is packed with melty goodness.

Third, they use cold butter instead of softened butter, which helps create a more structured dough and contributes to their signature thickness. This method also eliminates the need for chilling, so you can bake them right away!

Lastly, they are quick and easy to make—no stand mixer required! With just a few simple ingredients and one mixing bowl, you can have these bakery-style cookies in the oven in no time.

Ingredients Notes

The magic of these cookies comes from a few key ingredients that work together to create their signature texture and flavor.

Cold Butter: Unlike most cookie recipes that call for softened butter, this one starts with cold, cubed butter. This helps create the thick, sturdy structure while keeping the inside soft and gooey.

Brown Sugar & Granulated Sugar: The combination of dark brown sugar and white sugar adds depth of flavor and the perfect level of sweetness. The brown sugar also adds moisture, ensuring a chewy texture.

Cake Flour & All-Purpose Flour: A blend of these two flours gives the cookies their unique soft yet structured consistency. Cake flour makes them tender, while all-purpose flour adds strength.

Cornstarch: A little cornstarch helps keep the cookies soft and prevents them from spreading too much.

Chocolate Chips & Chocolate Chunks: For the best texture, use a mix of semi-sweet chocolate chips and larger chocolate chunks. This ensures pools of melted chocolate throughout the cookies.

No special equipment is needed, but a kitchen scale is highly recommended to measure the cookie dough accurately and maintain their signature size!

How To Make These Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies

Creating these legendary cookies at home is easier than you think! Follow these simple steps to get perfect results every time.

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F. This high baking temperature is key to getting the crispy exterior while keeping the inside soft and gooey. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Next, cut cold butter into small cubes and add it to a large mixing bowl. Using a hand mixer or a sturdy spatula, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until just combined. The butter won’t fully blend like in traditional cookies, and that’s okay!

Once the butter and sugar are incorporated, mix in the eggs one at a time. Be sure to mix just until combined—overmixing can make the cookies tougher.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the cake flour, all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until the dough comes together. It will be thick and slightly crumbly.

Fold in the chocolate chips and chocolate chunks, making sure they’re evenly distributed. Then, using a kitchen scale, portion the dough into large, six-ounce mounds. This is what gives the cookies their signature size and texture.

Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them apart as they will spread slightly. Bake for 9-11 minutes or until the tops are golden brown but the centers still look slightly underbaked.

Once they’re out of the oven, let them rest on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This allows them to set while keeping the center deliciously gooey.

Storage Options

If you somehow manage to have leftovers, these cookies store beautifully!

To keep them fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They’ll stay soft and delicious, though they are best enjoyed warm.

For longer storage, freeze the cookie dough balls before baking. Simply shape them, freeze them on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a zip-top bag. When you’re ready to bake, pop them straight into the oven—no need to thaw! Just add an extra 1-2 minutes to the baking time.

Already baked cookies can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat them in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes or microwave for 20-30 seconds to restore their fresh-from-the-oven taste.

Variations and Substitutions

One of the best things about these cookies is how easily they can be customized. Here are some delicious variations to try:

Nut Lovers: Add ½ cup of toasted walnuts or pecans for a crunch that complements the gooey chocolate.

Peanut Butter Twist: Swirl in 2 tablespoons of peanut butter for a rich, nutty flavor.

Double Chocolate: Replace ¼ cup of the all-purpose flour with cocoa powder for an extra chocolatey version.

Gluten-Free Option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in place of both flours for a gluten-free treat that still has the same amazing texture.

Dairy-Free Version: Substitute vegan butter and dairy-free chocolate chips to make these cookies completely dairy-free.

No matter how you customize them, these Levain Bakery-style cookies will always be a showstopper. Give them a try and experience bakery-level indulgence right from your own kitchen!

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