🍪 Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies – The Ultimate Cookie Experience 🍪
Big, bold, gooey-centered cookies with crisp edges and a rich chocolatey depth – now in your kitchen!
📜 Introduction
Levain Bakery in New York City is world-renowned for their massive, indulgent cookies. Their signature Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie is legendary – thick, soft, melty, and packed with chunks of chocolate. This homemade version captures all that bakery-level goodness: the buttery richness, the crispy exterior, the molten center. The secret? Cold butter, a quick chill, and the perfect ratio of ingredients. Let’s recreate one of the most iconic cookies to ever grace a bakery shelf!
🧾 Ingredients (Makes 24 jumbo cookies)
- 1 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (or chunks)
- 1½ cups walnuts, roughly chopped (optional but traditional)
🧑🍳 Instructions & Method
Step 1: Prep the Butter Base
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the cubed cold butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar using a stand or hand mixer.
- Beat until the mixture is creamy but still firm, about 2–3 minutes.
Step 2: Add the Wet Ingredients
- Add in the eggs one at a time, mixing just until combined.
- Stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 3: Add the Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture until a thick dough forms.
Step 4: Add the Mix-Ins
- Fold in the chocolate chips and walnuts (if using) with a spatula or spoon.
Step 5: Shape the Dough
- Using your hands or a large cookie scoop, form big, rough mounds of dough – about the size of a golf ball or larger. Don’t flatten them!
Step 6: Chill (Optional but Recommended)
- Chill the dough mounds in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to 1 hour for best texture.
Step 7: Bake
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Place cookies spaced apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown but the centers are still gooey. Don’t overbake!
Step 8: Cool Slightly
- Let cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Serve warm for maximum joy!
🕰️ Formation & Texture Tips
- Cold Butter: Keeps the cookies thick and prevents overspreading.
- High Heat: Creates a crisp outside while preserving the molten interior.
- Chunky Dough: Makes a rustic, bakery-style look and feel.
- Don’t Overmix: Gentle handling = tender cookies.
📖 History of Levain Bakery Cookies
Levain Bakery was founded in 1995 by Connie McDonald and Pam Weekes in NYC. The original cookie was created to fuel their training for an Ironman triathlon – a high-calorie, nutrient-dense treat. What started as a power snack became a cult favorite. Today, their cookies are famous across the world, loved for their unique size, rich flavor, and perfect texture.
💪 Benefits of These Cookies
- Emotional Boost: Nothing beats a warm chocolate chip cookie when you’re down.
- Energy Dense: Great for athletes, hikers, and foodies.
- Homemade Joy: Better ingredients, no preservatives.
- Customizable: Add white chocolate, nuts, or even peanut butter chips!
🥄 Nutritional Info (Per Cookie Approx.)
Note: Values are approximate and can vary depending on size and additions.
- Calories: 340
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 42g
- Sugar: 25g
- Protein: 5g
- Fiber: 2g
❤️ For the Cookie Lovers
Levain-style cookies are a declaration of love – for baking, for sharing, and for living life with delicious indulgence. Serve these cookies at parties, wrap them for gifts, or devour them right from the tray (no judgment). They’re best enjoyed fresh and warm with a cold glass of milk or a hot latte.
🔚 Conclusion
From humble New York beginnings to viral fame, the Levain Bakery cookie is more than a dessert – it’s a cultural icon. This recipe brings that magic right into your home. Whether you’re a baker, a sweet tooth, or just someone looking for a cozy moment, these cookies will not disappoint.
So gather your ingredients, preheat that oven, and take a bite into chocolate heaven. 🍪✨
Would you like a Nutella-stuffed or s’mores variation next?