Giant Levain Bakery Cookie Copycat Recipe

Chocolate chip cookies from levain bakery nyc have become legendary among dessert enthusiasts worldwide.

Bakers and sweet-tooth lovers constantly chase the perfect crispy-yet-soft texture these massive treats promise.

Every bite of these oversized cookies delivers pure indulgence with incredible depth of flavor.

Thick, chunky, and generously loaded with chocolate, these cookies stand out from ordinary bakery offerings.

The secret lies in their unique preparation method and carefully balanced ingredients.

Recreating this iconic New York bakery’s famous recipe at home lets you experience bakery-quality deliciousness in your own kitchen.

Dive into this decadent recipe and transform your baking game with these extraordinary chocolate chip cookies.

What Ingredients Go In Levain Bakery NYC Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the classic tender structure and binding for these legendary cookies.
• Cake Flour: Adds ultra-soft texture and delicate crumb to create that signature Levain melt-in-your-mouth quality.
• Cornstarch: Ensures extra tenderness and helps prevent gluten development for a supremely delicate cookie.

• Unsalted Butter: Delivers deep, creamy richness and helps create the perfect golden-brown edges.
• Dark Brown Sugar: Infuses deep caramel notes and incredible moisture to the cookie's interior.
• Light Brown Sugar: Balances sweetness and contributes to the complex flavor profile.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides classic sweetness and helps with cookie structure and crisp edges.

• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Creates luxurious chocolate pockets and melty moments throughout the cookie.
• Walnuts: Adds delightful crunch and earthy depth that complements the chocolate's richness.
• Dark Chocolate Chunks: Introduces intense chocolate flavor with rustic, uneven texture.
• Eggs: Binds ingredients together and provides richness and structure to the dough.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances all other flavors with its warm, aromatic essence.
• Sea Salt: Elevates and balances the sweet notes, creating a sophisticated flavor complexity.

Tools That Help Make Levain Bakery NYC Cookies

• Large mixing bowl: Roomy vessel for combining ingredients thoroughly.
• Electric mixer or stand mixer: Powerful tool for creaming butter and sugars perfectly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measuring for consistent cookie results.
• Baking sheet: Flat surface for creating deliciously large cookies.
• Parchment paper or silicone baking mat: Non-stick surface preventing cookie sticking.
• Rubber spatula: Helpful for scraping down bowl sides and mixing ingredients.
• Cookie scoop or large spoon: Creates uniform cookie sizes for even baking.
• Wire cooling rack: Allows cookies to cool evenly and maintain crisp edges.

Easy Method For Levain Bakery NYC Cookies

• Oven Preparation

Crank up the heat to create the perfect cookie-baking environment. Get your baking sheet ready with a protective layer that prevents sticking and ensures easy cleanup.

• Dough Creation

Mix ingredients until they form a luxurious, thick batter that promises a decadent treat. Gently fold the components, paying attention to create a rich, cohesive mixture that will transform into heavenly cookies.

• Cookie Shaping

Craft generously sized cookie mounds that showcase the bakery’s signature style. Use your hands to form substantial, rustic-looking rounds that promise a satisfying bite.

• Chilling Technique

Allow the cookie dough to rest and develop deeper flavors. Pop the shaped cookies into the refrigerator, letting the ingredients meld and intensify their delicious potential.

• Baking Magic

Slide the chilled cookies into the hot oven, watching them transform into golden-edged masterpieces. Bake until the edges turn a beautiful golden brown while maintaining a soft, gooey center.

• Cooling Moment

Remove the cookies and let them settle on the baking sheet. Give them a few moments to firm up, allowing the texture to become perfectly crisp on the outside and delightfully soft inside.

• Serving Delight

Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack or serving plate. These massive, bakery-style treats are best enjoyed slightly warm, with a glass of cold milk or enjoyed as a luxurious solo indulgence.

Tips For Changing Up Levain Bakery NYC Cookies

• Chocolate Chip Cookie Mastery: Chill the dough for at least 2 hours or overnight to develop deeper, richer flavors and prevent excessive spreading during baking.
• Size Matters: Use a large ice cream scoop or ¼ cup measuring cup to create those signature massive, bakery-style cookies with crispy edges and gooey centers.
• Texture Perfection: Mix chocolate chunks and chips for varied chocolate melting points, creating a more complex and interesting texture in every bite.
• Gluten-Free Option: Substitute all-purpose flour with a high-quality gluten-free blend, adding a tablespoon of cornstarch to help maintain the cookie's signature dense, soft texture.

How To Serve Levain Bakery NYC Cookies

• Milk and Cookies Classic: Pair these giant chocolate chip cookies with a cold glass of whole milk for the ultimate nostalgic dessert experience. The rich, creamy milk perfectly complements the warm, gooey chocolate chunks.
• Dessert Plating Elegance: Dust the cookies with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar and serve on a rustic wooden board for a bakery-style presentation that looks Instagram-worthy and professional.
• Ice Cream Sandwich Delight: Create an indulgent dessert by sandwiching a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream between two halves of these thick, chunky cookies. The contrast of warm cookie and cold ice cream creates a mouthwatering treat perfect for summer gatherings.
• Coffee Companion: Serve alongside a hot espresso or cappuccino for a decadent afternoon break. The robust coffee cuts through the sweetness of the cookie, creating a balanced and sophisticated snacking moment.

Storing Levain Bakery NYC Cookies Made Simple

• Cookie Batch Strategy: Prepare multiple batches and freeze raw dough balls for quick, fresh-baked treats anytime during the week.
• Refrigeration Ready: Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, maintaining their delicious texture and flavor.
• Dough Prep Hack: Shape cookie dough into portions and refrigerate for 24-48 hours before baking to enhance deeper, richer caramelized flavors.
• Freezer Friendly: Wrap individually wrapped dough portions in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag for up to 3 months, allowing spontaneous cookie cravings to be satisfied within minutes of baking.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 23

Legendary Levain Bakery NYC Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 23 1x

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Description

Levain Bakery’s legendary chocolate chip walnut cookies deliver massive, gooey indulgence straight from New York City. Rich chocolate and nutty layers create a perfectly textured treat you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 ¼ cups (410 g) all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (350 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks
• 1 ½ cups (150 g) walnuts, roughly chopped
• 1 cup (225 g) cold unsalted butter, cubed
• 2 large eggs, cold
• ¾ cup (150 g) light brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Bring butter and eggs to room temperature to facilitate seamless ingredient blending and ensure a uniform mixture.
2. Creaming: Whip butter and sugars in a spacious mixing bowl until the combination transforms into a light, airy, and pale concoction, typically achieved through 3-5 minutes of electric mixing.
3. Egg Integration: Methodically introduce eggs, one at a time, thoroughly incorporating each to maintain a consistent texture and prevent ingredient separation.
4. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Meticulously sift flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a separate vessel to eliminate potential lumps and guarantee even ingredient distribution.
5. Dough Formation: Gently merge the dry ingredient mixture into the wet components, stirring delicately until just combined to preserve the dough’s tender structure.
6. Mix-in Incorporation: Tenderly fold chocolate chips and walnuts throughout the dough, ensuring uniform dispersion of mix-ins.
7. Portioning and Chilling: Utilize a large ice cream scoop to create substantial dough mounds on the baking sheet, then refrigerate for 15-20 minutes to maintain the cookies’ robust shape and prevent excessive spreading.
8. Baking: Position the cookie sheet in a preheated oven, baking for 16-18 minutes until edges turn golden brown while preserving a soft, slightly underbaked center.
9. Cooling and Resting: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Let them rest an additional 30 minutes to optimize texture and flavor melding.

Notes

• Chill Dough Strategically: Refrigerate cookie dough for 15-20 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and maintain the signature thick, substantial Levain-style shape.
• Master Ingredient Temperature: Keep butter and eggs at room temperature to ensure smooth mixing and optimal ingredient integration, creating a consistently creamy base.
• Avoid Overmixing: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined, preventing tough cookie texture and preserving the delicate, soft interior.
• Perfect Baking Technique: Aim for golden brown edges with a slightly underbaked center, removing cookies from the oven at the 16-18 minute mark for that classic Levain-style soft, gooey texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 23
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 17 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg