🍪 Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies – The Ultimate Chunky Cookie Delight
Rich, thick, and gooey—these legendary cookies have taken the dessert world by storm. Inspired by the famous Levain Bakery in New York City, this recipe recreates their iconic chocolate chip cookie at home with all the decadence, texture, and flavor that fans adore. Get ready to fall in love with every massive, melty bite. ❤️
🧾 Ingredients
For the Cookies (Makes 8 Large Cookies)
- 1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks
- 1 ½ cups chopped walnuts (optional but authentic)
🍽️ Instructions
👩🍳 Method
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 410°F (210°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
Step 2: Cream Butter & Sugars
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the cold cubed butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar using a stand or hand mixer until creamy, but still slightly chunky (about 2–3 minutes).
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
- Add in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Beat just until incorporated—do not overmix.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry
- Slowly add the dry mixture into the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined and a thick dough forms.
Step 6: Fold in Chocolate and Nuts
- Gently fold in the chocolate chips and walnuts using a spatula or wooden spoon.
Step 7: Form the Cookie Balls
- Form large dough balls (around 6 oz each—about the size of a tennis ball). Do not flatten them.
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
- Bake for 9–11 minutes until the tops are golden and the centers look slightly underbaked. Let them sit on the pan for 10 minutes to finish setting up.
🕰️ History of Levain Bakery Cookies
Levain Bakery was founded in 1995 by two triathletes—Connie McDonald and Pam Weekes—in NYC. Seeking a hearty cookie to fuel their intense training, they created what would become a dessert legend: a nearly half-pound chocolate chip walnut cookie. Its crisp exterior and molten center became a viral sensation, turning the small bakery into a bucket-list destination for cookie lovers worldwide.
🌟 Benefits of These Cookies
- Energy-Dense: Perfect for athletes or anyone needing a big treat or post-workout boost.
- Mood Booster: Rich in sugars and chocolate, these cookies stimulate serotonin.
- Customizable: Swap in white chocolate, dark chocolate, or nuts of choice.
- Freezer Friendly: Dough freezes beautifully—bake one or two anytime!
🧬 Cookie Formation
Levain-style cookies are all about size and temperature:
- Cold butter creates a thicker dough and helps control spreading.
- Large dough balls result in gooey centers and crispy edges.
- Minimal flattening keeps them thick and bakery-style.
- Short baking time ensures a soft, molten middle.
🍽️ Nutrition (Per Cookie – Approximate)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 600–700 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 75g |
| Sugars | 45g |
| Protein | 6g |
| Fat | 30g |
| Saturated Fat | 15g |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Sodium | 220mg |
Note: Values may vary based on chocolate/nut choices.
💖 For the Lovers of Levain-Style Cookies
- Cookie Enthusiasts: Who love crispy outsides and gooey centers.
- Home Bakers: Looking to recreate bakery magic in their kitchen.
- Gift Givers: A single cookie is a luxurious, memorable present.
- Foodies: These are perfect for social media-worthy dessert moments.
🔁 Summary of Methods
- Cold butter technique
- Creaming until fluffy
- Gentle mixing to preserve thickness
- Extra-large dough balls
- High-temp, short-time baking
- Cooling on the sheet for perfect texture
📝 Final Conclusion (with Love)
These Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies are more than just treats—they’re an experience. From their chunky size to their molten heart, they’re a testament to indulgence done right. Perfect for celebrations, rainy days, or simply a hug in edible form, these cookies are guaranteed to win hearts and bring smiles.
💌 For the Cookie Lovers
To the ones who eat the dough, who live for the warm, melty chips, who savor the first bite with closed eyes—this cookie was made for you. Whether shared or savored solo, one thing’s for sure: cookie love is real.
Would you like a Nutella-stuffed or gluten-free version next? 🍫✨